BBC Unleashes Stunning New African Wildlife Docs
The BBC just dropped a double whammy of wildlife magic! At the Wildscreen Nairobi event, Sreya Biswas, BBC Head of Natural History, revealed two spellbinding new commissions for BBC Two and iPlayer. Get ready for Big Cats 24/7 and Orphan—two thrilling documentaries celebrating African wildlife and breathtaking landscapes, packed with top talent straight from the continent.
Big Cats 24/7: Up Close with Botswana’s Feline Royals
This six-part series plunges viewers into the wild heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Follow 1, leopards, and cheetahs as they roam in their natural habitat—captured like never before. The BBC Studios Natural History Unit teams up with award-winning Botswanan camera crew under Brad Bestelink’s expert eye, alongside wildlife cine-stars Gordon Buchanan, Vianet Djenguet, and Anna Dimitriadis.
- State-of-the-art tracking and low-light tech unveil secret nocturnal hunts
- Brave crews brave brutal terrain and savage weather to catch every moment
- Exclusive access offers a fresh, unfiltered look at Africa’s big cats
Orphan: The Heartwarming Tale of Toto the Elephant
Grab the tissues for Orphan, a moving story of Toto, a baby Kenyan elephant orphaned by tragedy. Filmed over three years, the documentary follows Joseph, a devoted man who steps up as Toto’s surrogate mum. Witness their unique bond and the struggle to return Toto to the wild. Directed by Emmy winner Daniel Bogado—famous for “9/11: One Day in America”—this film highlights the lifesaving work of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s neonatal unit.
BBC’s Bold Blow for Authentic, Diverse African Storytelling
“Both are ambitious attempts to document African wildlife and landscapes, involving amazing African talent both on and offscreen,”
Sreya Biswas said. “Working with some of the continent’s most trusted experts and accomplished cinematographers, we hope to create programs about African animals that reach a new level of authenticity and diversity.”
Big Cats 24/7 hits BBC Two, iPlayer, and PBS soon. Meanwhile, Orphan lands on BBC Two and iPlayer. Both projects come courtesy of Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual, with Sreya Biswas as Commissioning Editor.
This exciting double bill confirms the BBC’s passion for delivering jaw-dropping nature stories that connect viewers with the raw beauty and drama of the animal kingdom.
