Nat Geo Teams with James Cameron & BBC Studios for Oceans Series

Among the raft of highlights revealed by National Geographic during its TCA presentation is Mission OceanX (working title), a new series from James Cameron and BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit.

The global six-episode series and cross-platform event is being done with production partner and leading ocean exploration initiative OceanX (part of the Dalio Philanthropies), which combines cutting-edge technology, science and media to explore the ocean and bring it back to the world. Billed as a high-stakes adventure in ocean discovery, the series will take audiences aboard the maiden voyage of Alucia2 to explore the farthest frontiers of the world’s oceans, 95 percent of which are entirely unexplored. Cameron, a renowned filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer-at-Large, is among the executive producers. Mission OceanX (w/t) will premiere in 171 countries and 43 languages on National Geographic, with the first season focusing on the Indian Ocean and the aim that it will become a recurring series focusing on a different ocean each season.

National Geographic Explorer-at-Large Dr. Robert Ballard, best known for his 1985 discovery of the Titanic shipwreck, is setting out to solve the mystery of Amelia Earhart’s disappearance in another new project for Nat Geo. The scientific expedition is jointly funded by National Geographic Partners and National Geographic Society. National Geographic Society’s Archeologist-in-Residence Fredrik Hiebert joins Ballard and will lead a team to search for signs of Earhart on land following clues that may lead to the location of her bones. The expedition will be featured in a two-hour special titled Expedition Amelia that will premiere October 20 on National Geographic.

On the heels of the success of National Geographic Documentary Films’ Jane—which received a BAFTA nomination—the network is taking a fresh look at Jane Goodall’s conservation work in the upcoming television special Jane Goodall: The Hope. From producer Lucky 8, the special is currently in production and will air globally in 172 countries and 43 languages.

Nat Geo and Nat Geo WILD are teaming up on the new two-hour wildlife special The Hidden Kingdoms of China, which premieres this winter in 172 countries and 43 languages. Spanning from China’s highest of mountains and plateaus to its thickest jungles and bamboo forests, The Hidden Kingdoms of China reveals the mysteries of the country’s wildlife, some of which rarely have been captured on film until now.

Regarding scripted, National Geographic has optioned Mark Bowden’s bestseller Guests of the Ayatollah for a limited series. Ken Biller (Genius) is to executive produce and write the adaptation with non-writing EP Bob Cooper.