BBC America Adds to Nature Lineup, Sets Short Films Series

BBC America has added to its nature programming slate She Walks with Apes, narrated by Sandra Oh (Killing Eve, Grey’s Anatomy), and the tentatively titled Meerkat Manor: Rise of the Dynasty.

The documentary She Walks with Apes tells the stories of three women—Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey and Biruté Galdikas—who embarked on lifelong journeys to live with the Great Apes. It is slated to premiere on April 22. Meerkat Manor: Rise of the Dynasty (wt) is a new installment in the Meerkat Manor series. A BBC America co-production with Oxford Scientific Films (OSF), it is a dramatic tale of survival revolving around three families who are descendants of a legendary meerkat matriarch in the Kalahari Desert in South Africa. Distributed by Endemol Shine International (ESI), it will bow on BBC America in 2021.

Sarah Barnett, president of AMC Networks Entertainment Group and AMC Studios, said: “Both of these additions to BBC America’s best-in-class nature lineup are outstanding. Funny, engaging, profoundly moving and most of all joyful, nature programming is embraced by our audiences and we are delighted to keep fueling passion for our planet and the natural world we’re all part of.”

Simon Cox, head of Acquisitions at ESI, added: “Global audiences have been eagerly awaiting the next installment of Meerkat Manor, and we are excited to be part of the next adventure as the legendary meerkats become more resourceful than ever in an attempt to counteract today’s environmental challenges in the Kalahari. Premium-quality factual productions with drama sensibilities are in high demand globally, and we are thrilled to be partnering with OSF to bring this compelling and visually stunning journey to broadcasters around the world.”

BBC has also announced Disability Monologues (wt), a new series of short films that will focus on challenging and changing the perception of disability. Writer and performer Mat Fraser (His Dark Materials, American Horror Story) will curate the six, 15-minute works, to be performed by himself, poet and playwright Jackie Hagan, Ruth Madeley (The Watch), Robert Softley Gale (My Left/Right Foot), Liz Carr (Silent Witness) and more. The series will premiere on BBC America in 2020.