Ocean with David Attenborough Slated for June Debut

Ocean with David Attenborough has been slated to premiere on National Geographic on June 7 and begin streaming on Disney+ and Hulu the next day.

The feature-length documentary, produced by Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios, sees the 99-year-old presenter share the importance of the world’s oceans by investigating diverse marine ecosystems that are intricately connected and vital to avoiding climate catastrophe. He also shares inspirational stories of how people are taking action to restore the Earth’s waters and help marine wildlife recover from destructive fishing and pollution.

The film’s release is timed to World Oceans Day and the United Nations Ocean Conference. It will also take place midway through the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).

Later this year, National Geographic Pristine Seas will make the documentary film available to educators at schools, universities, museums and libraries, as well as for educational and charitable conferences and events for non-commercial purposes.

Ocean with David Attenborough is directed by Toby Nowlan, Keith Scholey and Colin Butfield and produced by Nowlan for Silverback Films. Executive producers include Louise Pedersen and Rachel Job for All3Media International, the international distributor of the film; Tom McDonald and Janet Han Vissering for National Geographic; Jasper Smith for Arksen Ltd and 10% for the Ocean; Minderoo Productions Limited; Enric Sala for National Geographic Society and Pristine Seas; Kristin Rechberger for Dynamic Planet and Revive Our Ocean; Rolly van Rappard and Francoise van Rappard for Don Quixote Foundation; and Olivier Wenden for The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

“My lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery,” Attenborough said. “Over the last 100 years, scientists and explorers have revealed remarkable new species, epic migrations and dazzling, complex ecosystems beyond anything I could have imagined as a young man. In this film, we share those wonderful discoveries, uncover why our ocean is in such poor health, and, perhaps most importantly, show how it can bounce back to life.”

Tom McDonald, National Geographic’s executive VP of global factual and unscripted content, commented, “I’m thrilled that audiences worldwide will be able to engage with Sir David’s signature storytelling and the inspirational message of this film through the power of National Geographic’s global platforms. There is no one better to deliver this landmark film than Sir David, and I’m delighted that he’s working with National Geographic for the very first time on a subject that is timely and close to his heart.”