Eight-Part Nature Documentary Our Planet Picked Up By Netflix

When Planet Earth first screened on the BBC back in 2006, audiences were transfixed. Offering unprecedented access to some of the world’s most elusive animals and wildlife, the documentary irrefutably raised the bar for the genre of nature documentaries and its lofty production values still set the precedent years later.

Almost a decade on, though, and it seems Netflix is hoping to emulate on its success with the eight-part natural history series Our Planet, which has been described by producers as the largest project of its kind ever attempted, projecting content from the four corners of the world in 4K resolution. Due to film over the course of four years, the online giant stated that it plans to have the series available to stream by 2019.

Silverback Films are involved in bringing Our Planet to existence, with Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey spearheading the nature documentary behind the cameras. Given that the pair’s previous credits include the likes of aforementioned Planet Earth, Frozen Planet and Blue Planet, there’s already an air of quality emanating from Netflix’s newly-acquired property, and we’re excited to see how it pans out over the coming years.

Today’s announcement is yet more evidence that Netflix is striving to strengthen its reputation as an online broadcaster, having partnered with environmental campaigner Leonardo DiCaprio and his production company Appian Way not too long ago. It may be a ways away yet, but Our Planet is certainly one to keep an eye on.

“Netflix is proud to be the global home for perhaps Silverback’s most ambitious project to date,” said Lisa Nishimura, Vice President, Netflix Original Documentaries. “The ‘Planet’ projects have enjoyed great success on Netflix and have helped launch new technologies for viewing at home. We think watching ‘Our Planet,’ fully on demand in 4K will be an unforgettable experience for our members.”

“‘Our Planet’ is going to raise the bar for natural history landmarks,” said Alastair Fothergill, Executive Producer Silverback Films. “We will reveal the most amazing sights on Earth and show them in ways they have never been seen before. Partnering with Netflix and WWF gives us the ability to reach and enthuse global audiences with the wonder and importance of the natural world.”