Attenborough’s back for Blue Planet II... at the age of 91!
SIR David Attenborough is slowing no signs of slowing down as he fronts a sequel to The Blue Planet.
The BBC said last night the sequel this autumn will reveal ‘remarkable new creatures’ in ultra-high definition.
Sixteen years on from the original series, Sir David, who turns 91 in May, will take viewers to methane volcanoes and the socalled ‘ Boiling Sea’ phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean. He will also introduce audiences to never-before-filmed creatures, including ‘tool-using tusk fish’ and ‘snub fin dolphins that spit water through the air’.
Blue Planet II is also due to investigate the ‘health of the world’s oceans’, prompting speculation that there could be an episode dedicated to humans’ impact on the marine environment. The sequel follows the success of Planet Earth II, which drew record audiences for a natural history series.
Sir David said: ‘I am truly thrilled to be joining this new exploration of the under- water worlds which cover most of our planet, yet are still its least known.’
Just as Planet Earth II used jungle-adapted drones and ultra-lightweight cameras, Blue Planet II has made use of new filming technologies to offer an unprecedented view of the marine environment.
State- of-the-art suction cameras have been used, to allow viewers to ‘travel’ on the back of whale sharks and orcas. Film crews have also used ultra-HD ‘tow cams’ to give a front-on view of sea creatures, and a ‘probe camera’ to provide a close-up view of miniature marine life.
Planet Earth II became the most-watched natural history show for 15 years when it aired last autumn, with 9.2 million viewers tuning in for the first episode. The final episode was watched by 9.5 million people.