Sir David Attenborough Presenting New BBC One Wildlife Series

Sir David Attenborough is set to present for BBC One the tentatively titled U.K.-focused natural-history docuseries Wild Isles.

From Silverback Films for BBC One and iPlayer, the five-parter was filmed over three years and uses the latest technology to capture the behavior of wildlife of the British Isles, from butterflies to sea eagles and whales. Wild Isles is co-produced by The Open University, the RSPB and WWF.

The series, shot at 4K resolution, will have an introductory episode that will explain why Britain and Ireland are globally important for nature, while the remaining four episodes will celebrate the isles’ four key habitats—woodlands, grasslands, freshwater and marine.

Banijay Rights handles distribution for Wild Isles.

Attenborough said: “In my long lifetime, I have traveled to almost every corner of our planet. I can assure you that in the British Isles, as well as astonishing scenery, there are extraordinary animal dramas and wildlife spectacles to match anything I have seen on my global travels.”

Alastair Fothergill, executive producer, said: “I have always wanted to make a landmark series that really does justice to our own extraordinary wildlife. I am sure people will be amazed at what is happening right on their own doorstep.”

Jack Bootle, head of commissioning for science and natural history, said: “The multi-award-winning team at Silverback are creating an eye-opening celebration of British and Irish wildlife that has to be seen to be believed. You’ll think a meadow in Somerset is as beautiful as the Serengeti, and the North Atlantic as wild and dramatic as the Antarctic Ocean.’’

Dr. Philip Wheeler, senior lecturer in Ecology at The Open University, said: “We are so used to seeing exotic places and species on wildlife documentaries that it is brilliant to see the wildlife of the British Isles presented in this way. Wild Isles shows how nature closer to home has amazing stories to tell, and it is a real privilege to be able to contribute academic expertise from the OU to the series. I hope the public interest this series generates will give wildlife in Britain and Ireland the boost it urgently needs.”

Beccy Speight, chief executive of the RSPB, commented: “Wild Isles will be essential viewing at a time when we are facing into a nature and climate emergency. Showcasing the U.K.’s spectacular places and wonderful wildlife gives us a powerful platform to build the broadest and most diverse movement for nature there’s ever been.”

Tanya Steele, chief executive of WWF, added: “The U.K. is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world—we need to change that. Our aim is that this stunning series featuring some of our best-loved species will inspire people to take action to safeguard and restore nature for future generations.”