Ryan Reynolds-Led Natural History Series for Nat Geo

National Geographic has greenlit the new natural history series Underdogs, with Ryan Reynolds set to narrate.

The ten-part series is co-produced by Reynolds’ Maximum Effort and Wildstar Films (America the Beautiful, Epic Adventures with Bertie Gregory). Billed as an unconventional natural history series, Underdogs will tell the story of the heroic underdogs of the natural world—the good, the bad and the frankly ugly, from their hidden talents to their bold hygiene choices, unsavory courtship rituals, devious camouflage techniques and “tough love” parenting skills.

“I love nature series, and I love making things my kids can actually watch,” said Reynolds. “We’re already having a lot of fun trying to bring a new voice to animal docs. Wildstar has the expertise, experience and cutting-edge film tech to help us chew up that healthy National Geographic budget. We’ll deliver a show that is entertaining, surprising and will do justice to animals usually stuck as supporting cast.”

“Underdogs represents an entirely fresh take on the natural history genre that is sure to delight and inform audiences of all ages,” said National Geographic Content President Courteney Monroe. “With Ryan and Maximum Effort’s irreverent spirit and Wildstar’s award-winning expertise in wildlife storytelling, we have assembled the perfect team to tell the entertaining stories of nature’s unsung heroes with both humor and heart.”

Dan Rees, Wildstar executive producer, added, “Underdogs explores the animal world with a fresh, fun and highly entertaining perspective. Partnering so closely with Ryan and Maximum Effort has allowed us to bake in their inimitable humor every step of the way—from conception to delivery of this unique series. As a result, Underdogs will make you snort with laughter and possibly even spill your coffee on your lap, but ultimately it puts a new spotlight on some of the weirder and less explored denizens of our planet, and all underpinned by sound science and research.”