Natural World poster

TV series

Natural World

1983TV-G39 seasons7.4 / 10

Natural World is a nature documentary television series broadcast annually on BBC Two and regarded by the BBC as its flagship natural history brand. It is currently the longest-running series in its genre on British television, with more than 400 episodes broadcast since its inception in 1983. Natural World is produced by the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol, but individual programmes can be in-house productions, collaborative productions with other broadcasters or films made and distributed by independent production companies and purchased by the BBC. Natural World programmes are often broadcast as PBS Nature episodes in the USA. Since 2008, most Natural World programmes have been shot and broadcast in high definition.

Availability

Not streaming in United States

Checked Sep 2, 2026

Natural World premiered October 30, 1983. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.

Synopsis

Natural World is a nature documentary television series broadcast annually on BBC Two and regarded by the BBC as its flagship natural history brand. It is currently the longest-running series in its genre on British television, with more than 400 episodes broadcast since its inception in 1983. Natural World is produced by the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol, but individual programmes can be in-house productions, collaborative productions with other broadcasters or films made and distributed by independent production companies and purchased by the BBC. Natural World programmes are often broadcast as PBS Nature episodes in the USA. Since 2008, most Natural World programmes have been shot and broadcast in high definition.

Season 16 episodes

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Episode 2

The Temple Troop

In Sri Lanka's ruined city of Polonnaruwa lives the Temple Troop, the unruliest gang of monkeys around. This film follows an extraordinary year in the life of the troop.

Episode credits

Directed by Mark LinfieldGuest stars Roshan Seth

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Episode 3

Denali: the Great Alaskan Wilderness

An examination of the wildlife living around Mt McKinley, North America's highest peak.

Episode credits

Directed by Bruce Reitherman

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Episode 4

Jungle Nights

Set in the tropical rainforests of Central America, this film reveals the unseen behaviour of jaguars, vampires, margays, kinkajous and other strange animals that spring to life after dark. The documentary was filmed in Belize, over the course of a year, by resident film-makers Richard Foster and Carol Farneti Foster. They used infra-red cameras and powerful software which converts the ultrasonic calls of bats into distinctive visual patterns on a computer screen.

Episode credits

Directed by Richard FosterGuest stars Tim Pigott-Smith

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Episode 5

Paracas and the Billion Dollar Bird

Along the shores of the Paracas National Park on the coast of Peru, two very different worlds collide - the barren Atacama desert and the seas teeming with wildlife such as sea lions, penguins and pelicans as well as guanay cormorants, a bird that once created fortunes for the local people through the sale of their droppings, an excellent natural fertiliser.

Episode credits

Directed by Teresa ClareGuest stars Ian Holm

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Episode 6

Komodo Dragon

A study of the world's largest lizard, the man-eating Komodo dragon of Indonesia, revealing the dinosaur-like creature to be far more than just a cold-blooded killer.

Episode credits

Directed by Rod MorrisGuest stars John Shrapnel

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Episode 7

At the Edge of the Sea

An absorbing exploration of coastal British Columbia, At the Edge of the Sea provides an insight into the diverse life that thrives within the ever-changing landscape of the Pacific shoreline. A vivid portrait of life amongst the violent surf, impressive time-lapse photography reveals the clever adaptations of the area's inhabitants. Acorn barnacles 'glue' themselves to rocks, while mussels produce strong threads to anchor themselves to the ocean floor and anemones develop adhesive undersides.

Episode credits

Directed by Rodger JackmanGuest stars Gareth Armstrong

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Episode 8

Beyond the Naked Eye

The hidden world of microscopic bugs, microbes, fungi and plants is revealed using special filming techniques. These tiny organisms can cause deadly diseases, but they also help to provide food and control the climate.

Episode credits

Directed by Roger R. Jones

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Episode 9

On the Path of the Reindeer

This edition follows thousands of reindeer as they undertake a 400km migration through Lapland, guided by the Saami, the reindeer people. On the journey the reindeer give birth, evade predators, struggle over mountains and even swim across the sea to reach the lush summer pastures of the Arctic coast.

Episode credits

Directed by Bernard WaltonGuest stars Geoffrey Palmer

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Episode 10

The Secret Garden

Timelapse and close-up photography reveals the natural lives of the plants and animals that inhabit an English garden.

Episode credits

Directed by Mary SummerillGuest stars Patricia Routledge

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Episode 11

The Dragons of Galapagos

A look at the iguanas of the Galapagos.

Episode credits

Directed by David Parer

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Episode 12

Three Monkeys

How three species of monkey - howlers, red spiders and white-faced - use their different skills to fight for survival deep in the unpredictable and unforgiving tropical forests of Costa Rica.

Episode credits

Directed by Martin DohrnGuest stars Emily Richard

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Episode 13

Borneo: Island in the Clouds

The wildlife of Borneo, home to a diverse array of creatures, including proboscis monkeys, forest elephants, rhinos and orang-utans. The island boasts the tallest peak in South-East Asia, Mount Kinabalu, and some of the world's largest cave systems, as well as mangrove swamps and a coral reef teeming with life.

Episode credits

Directed by Neil LucasGuest stars John Shrapnel

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Episode 14

Oman: Jewel of Arabia

Documenatary film looking at the geography, wildlife and peoples of Oman.

Episode credits

Directed by Tim ScoonesGuest stars Ian McShane

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Episode 15

The Lost Lands of Scilly

Sharks, palm trees, shipwrecks and sandy shores are all vital ingredients for a sub-tropical paradise. Add sunken treasure, colourful corals, nectar sipping birds and exotic flowers and it sounds a long way from Britain. But the exotic Isles of Scilly are just beyond Land's End. Here Britain's biggest predator, the grey Atlantic seal, basks on the rocks and raucous colonies of nocturnal birds fill the midnight air.

Episode credits

Directed by Andrew CooperGuest stars Tim Pigott-Smith

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Episode 16

Fire and Ice: an Icelandic Saga

During filming in Iceland, a huge volcano exploded under Europe's largest icecap, melting billions of tons of ice. But foxes, skuas, puffins and other wildlife have learnt to turn such natural disasters to their advantage.

Episode credits

Directed by John AitchisonGuest stars Magnus Magnusson

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Episode 17

Metropolis

New York's concrete and steel plays host to fascinating wildlife, including falcons, raccoons and horseshoe crabs.

Episode credits

Guest stars Nigel Hawthorne

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Episode 18

The Otters of Yellowstone

Spanning three states, Yellowstone is America's most famous national park, with a cast of charming inhabitants set against stunning scenery. This film follows a family of river otters through the year as they learn to fish, fend off attacking coyotes and travel great distances around the beautiful park.

Episode credits

Directed by Bob LandisWritten by Anne MacLeodGuest stars Tom Baker

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Episode 19

The Forbidden Fruit

finale

Following the success of David Attenborough's PRIVATE LIFE OF PLANTS, a further chance to see flora from unusual perspectives. Time-lapse technology and high-speed cameras show how plants use animals, humans and the elements to spread seeds.

Episode credits

Directed by Sean MorrisGuest stars James Grout

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Episode information updated Sep 14, 2026

More about Natural World

Cast

John HannahNarrator
Juliet StevensonNarrator
Ian HolmNarrator
John HurtNarrator
Geraldine JamesSelf
Robert Lindsay
Anthony Hopkins
Tim Pigott-SmithNarrator

Production details

Status
Ended
Series type
Documentary
Episodes
543
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • BBC TwoUnited Kingdom
  • BBC StudiosUnited Kingdom
  • BBC Studios Natural History UnitUnited Kingdom
  • BBCUnited Kingdom

Themes

animalsenvironmentnaturenature documentarywildlife