Walking With Dinosaurs Sets BBC, PBS Return After 25 Years

Twenty-five years after its debut, “Walking with Dinosaurs” is set to return in a fresh BBC Studios production, slated for a 2025 release on BBC and PBS.

The six-part series, co-produced with ZDF and France Télévisions, aims to be an immersive journey into the prehistoric era, uncovering the lives of the ancient giants.

This reimagined series will spotlight individual dinosaurs, with each episode focusing on the dramatic tale of a specific creature currently being excavated by top paleontologists. Enhanced by cutting-edge scientific insights, the show aims to depict the daily lives of these dinosaurs with unprecedented accuracy. Viewers can expect state-of-the-art visual effects to bring these ancient narratives to life.

Audiences will encounter a diverse cast of dinosaurs across varied landscapes: a Spinosaurus navigating ancient Moroccan rivers, a young Triceratops facing off against a T-Rex in North America, and a solitary Lusotitan searching for a mate in Portugal. With paleontology experiencing a renaissance – identifying around 50 new species annually – the series taps into the latest discoveries and offers exclusive access to premier dig sites worldwide.

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“Walking with Dinosaurs” (6 x 60′) was commissioned for BBC One and iPlayer by Jack Bootle, head of commissioning, specialist factual. Bill Gardner is editorial consultant for PBS. Diana El-Osta is the executive in charge for PBS. The series is a BBC Studios Science Unit production co-produced with ZDF and France Télévisions for BBC and PBS. Executive producers are Andrew Cohen and Helen Thomas; the showrunner is Kirsty Wilson; the producer-directors are Stephen Cooter; Tom Hewitson and Owen Gower; and the line producers are Max Brunold and Libby Hand. The BBC commissioning editor is Tom Coveney.

Bootle said: “The original series was one of the most exciting factual shows of all time, and this reinvention builds on that amazing legacy. Each episode is underpinned by the very latest science but is also filled with drama – making this a series for both dino lovers and people who just want to be told a great story.”

Sylvia Bugg, PBS chief programming executive and general manager, general audience programming, added: “Our human fascination with dinosaurs has remained steadfast, and we are excited to bring PBS audiences this reimagined perspective on these dynamic creatures, combining engaging narratives, backed by the latest science.”

Andrew Cohen, head of BBC Studios Science Unit, said: “It’s the ultimate dinosaur show, where you’ll be hiding behind the sofa one moment and having your mind blown the next. The prehistoric world meets premium documentary production, like never before.”

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Artie Phelan

Update: 2024-08-24

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