TV series
Professor Brian Cox explores the dramatic lives of the eight majestic planets/worlds that make up our solar system.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Checked Jul 22, 2026
The Planets is available to stream on Hoopla in United States. You can also buy it from Amazon. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
Professor Brian Cox explores the dramatic lives of the eight majestic planets/worlds that make up our solar system.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
The rocky planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars were born at the same time from the same material - yet have lived radically different lives. What immense forces are at play?
Directed by Martin Johnson, Stephen Cooter
Episode 2
Professor Brian Cox continues his tour of the solar system revealing that it was once home to not one, but two blue planets.
Directed by Stephen Cooter
Episode 3
Brian Cox continues his exploration of the solar system with a visit to a planet that dwarfs all the others: Jupiter. Its size gives it a great power that it has used to manipulate the other planets.
Directed by Stephen Cooter
Episode 4
Professor Brian Cox reveals the history of Saturn. Saturn began life as a strange planet of rock and ice and in time transformed into a gas giant, ring-less and similar looking to its rival, Jupiter.
Directed by Stephen Cooter, Nic Stacey
Episode 5
In the final episode, Professor Brian Cox journeys to the remotest part of the solar system, a place that the most mysterious planets call home.
Directed by Martin Johnson, Stephen Cooter
Episode information updated Jul 22, 2026
Professor Brian CoxSelf - Presenter
BBC TwoUnited Kingdom
BBC Studios Science UnitUnited KingdomMore shows like The Planets.
