New Three-Part Doc Spotlights Stephen Hawking

LONDON: Darlow Smithson Productions, an IMG Company, has been commissioned to produce a three-part documentary series that peeks into the mind of one of the world’s most famous living scientists, Stephen Hawking.

Tentatively titled Stephen Hawking’s Universe, the project will look at the fresh perspective the scientist took on the mysteries of the cosmos. The series will use a combination of CGI, live action, archive and visual effects, all done in HD. One two-hour episode will be presenting alongside two one-hour pieces.

In addition to airing on Discovery Channel around the world, Discovery Enterprises International will partner with other international broadcasters to bring the series to an even wider audience.

Hawking commented of the project: "This ambitious series explores some of the most fascinating aspects of cosmology and I am pleased to bring these theories to a new audience. I’m delighted to be working with Darlow Smithson and Discovery Channel and I hope these visions of the universe will evoke a sense of wonder for everyone, and maybe inspire a new generation of cosmologists."

John Smithson, the executive chairman and chief creative director of Darlow Smithson, said: "This is a wonderful creative challenge. We’re tackling some mind-boggling science yet making a series that is both definitive and entertaining for a global audience. We are thrilled to be working with one of the greatest minds in science on this genre-busting project."

"To my knowledge, no other network has ever undertaken as compelling or ambitious a project as this to date," added John Ford, the president and general manager of Discovery Channel. "We are breaking the mould of documentary filmmaking and storytelling in Stephen Hawking’s Universe. Visualizing the universe through the mind’s eye of one of the greatest minds on the planet is an incredibly challenging prospect. Darlow Smithson was the ideal choice to bring this definitive series to the screen and to Discovery Channel’s audience around the globe."