Episode 1
South Georgia: an Island All Alone
Focusing on the wildlife of the remote island of South Georgia in the South Atlantic.
Episode credits
Directed by Alastair FothergillGuest stars David Attenborough
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 17 episodes
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Where to watch Natural World
Episode 2
Capybara: Swamp Hogs
This is the story of one Capybara group,whose territory spans a patchwork of of wildlife-rich swamp,grassland & forest in Venezuela's Orinoco flood plain -the "Llanos".
Episode credits
Directed by Phil ChapmanGuest stars Stephen Fry
Episode 3
Secret Sharks
Includes footage of the gentle whale shark, and the perilous birth of a baby horn shark.
Episode credits
Directed by Marty SnydermanGuest stars Christian Rodska
Episode 4
Mountain of the Sea
Wildlife documentary about South Africa's Table Mountain, home to a huge variety of animals, from black eagles at its peak to penguins at its shore-lined foot.
Episode credits
Directed by Trevor De KockGuest stars Paul Herzberg
Episode 5
Orangutans: the High Society
Wildlife documentary series. Featuring the orangutans of Sumatra's Leuser National Park.
Episode credits
Directed by Mark LinfieldGuest stars Andrew Sachs
Episode 6
The Fatal Flower
This programme looks at orchids, the `femmes fatales' of nature, combining beauty and deceit in a way which ignites human and animal passions.
Episode credits
Directed by Mark FlowersGuest stars Honor Blackman
Episode 7
Vanishing Pools of the Zambezi
Herds of elephant, buffalo and impala graze on rich green grass by pools formed by the meandering Zambezi. But the short rainy season soon ends, and the battle for survival begins.
Episode credits
Directed by Philip RichardsonGuest stars Martin Jarvis
Episode 8
Manu: Amazon Paradise
The forest-dwelling creatures of the Amazon region of Manu, a treasure-trove of rare species, from jaguars and giant otters : which have earned a reputation for ferocity : to sloths and 13 different types of monkey.
Episode credits
Guest stars Ian Holm
Episode 9
Impossible Journeys
Using microscopy & animation,we journey into worlds previously beyond our reach.The familiar world hides incredible secrets that are revealed here.
Episode credits
Directed by Steve NichollsGuest stars Peter Jones
Episode 10
Cheetahs in a Hot Spot
A look at the world's largest population of cheetahs - and their enemies - in Namibia, southern Africa.
Episode credits
Directed by Linda BellaGuest stars Veronika Hyks
Episode 11
Dolphins: The Wild Side
Explores the varied behaviour of wild dolphins around the world.
Episode credits
Directed by Paul AtkinsGuest stars Ian Holm
Episode 12
Year of the Jackal
This film, shot over the course of the year at the Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania, reveals some surprising facts about jackals.
Episode credits
Directed by Owen NewmanGuest stars Eleanor Bron
Episode 13
Everglades: to Hell and Back
Wildlife documentary looking at some of the many species of life found in the Florida Everglades and the threat to the environment posed by nearby Miami.
Episode credits
Directed by Bernard WatsonGuest stars Tim Pigott-Smith
Episode 14
Tough Ducks
Film revealing that there's more to the placid-looking duck than meets the eye. Including those that live in the Arctic and the Australian desert.
Episode credits
Directed by Mary ColwellGuest stars Bill Oddie
Episode 15
The Man-Eaters of Tsavo
Documentary about the lions of the Tsavo National Park in Kenya, and their current and future co-existence with humans.
Episode credits
Directed by Robin BrownGuest stars Art Malik
Episode 16
Islands of the Vampire Birds
Wildlife documentary looking at the finches of the Galapagos Islands which have evolved to not only to eat seeds and pick ticks off tortoises but also to drink the blood of the latter.
Episode credits
Directed by David ParerGuest stars David Attenborough
Episode 17
The Farm That Time Forgot
Visits the Hosking family's farm in Devon where they farm traditionally and so help preserve local wildlife, especially in retention of old stone buildings and hedgerows.
Episode credits
Directed by Andrew Cooper
Episode 18
Iran: Secrets of the North
finale
The first of two programmes exploring the wildlife inhabiting this vast country, a natural crossroads that is home to animals from Asia, Europe and Africa.
Episode credits
Directed by Nigel MarvenGuest stars John Shrapnel
Episode information updated Sep 12, 2026
Available now in United States
What to watch instead
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More about Natural World
Cast
John HannahNarrator
Juliet StevensonNarrator
Ian HolmNarrator
John HurtNarrator
Geraldine JamesSelf
Robert Lindsay
Anthony Hopkins
Tim Pigott-SmithNarratorProduction 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