Bigger Bang to Bring Back Curiosity Series

Curiosity has commissioned Bigger Bang to bring back Connections, with broadcaster and science historian James Burke once again at the helm.

In the new six-parter, Burke links a point in the past with the future, exploring the interlocking threads of knowledge running through history. These connections show how seemingly unrelated ideas bounce off one another, revealing an aspect of our future we are urged to think about now.

Connections first aired in 1978. The revival is executive produced by Iain Riddick for Bigger Bang and was commissioned by Rob Burk, head of content at Curiosity. John Cavanagh is the executive producer for Curiosity.

Riddick, co-founder of Bigger Bang, said: “The original Connections was perhaps the most influential documentary series of its era, greatly inspiring my desire to become a filmmaker. James is a hero of mine, so collaborating with him to bring Connections back to the screen has been an incredible thrill. Today, Connections feels more relevant than ever as we stand at a major inflection point, with technology on the verge of transforming our lives profoundly. This time around, James wanted his Connections to explore not only how we arrived at today but also how we can shape the future we desire.

“At Bigger Bang, our aspiration is always to go big and bold. So when considering how to revive such a legendary broadcaster and extraordinary series, we knew we had to tell each of the six mind-blowing stories in a unique way. The virtual world we named ‘MindSpace’ helps James to conjure up any crucial moment or significant idea from history. I’m thrilled by what we’ve created with James and look forward to sharing it with audiences worldwide. His foresight remains legendary.”

Burk added: “The stakes we’re facing are high–AI, limitless energy, genetically-engineered superhumans–and there is no better guide through this universe of connected people and ideas than the iconic science historian James Burke. We are thrilled to be working, once again, with our colleagues at Bigger Bang to bring back this groundbreaking series and reimagine it for a modern age.”