David Farnor | On 13, Jan 2020

Stephen Fry is stepping into David Attenborough’s shoes with new BBC One series Fantastic Beasts: A Natural History.

Produced in partnership with Warner Bros. and London’s Natural History Museum, the documentary will explore the origins and stories of mythical creatures and the fantastical beasts from J.K. Rowling’s stories and explore their history and connections with animals roaming the planet today.

The BBC One special will take viewers on an incredible journey from the hidden corridors of London’s Natural History Museum to the frozen steppes of Siberia and secret caves of Madagascar. From centaurs to Nifflers, birds of paradise to the Phoenix, 11,000 year-old woolly rhinos to the Erumpent and giant squid to the Zouwu, the gripping stories and surprising science behind specimens in the Natural History Museum is a global journey of discovery drawing parallels between the real world and the fabulous worlds of mythology and literature – including elements that will be immediately recognisable to fans of the Fantastic Beasts film series.

The documentary will feature the Natural History Museum’s exhibition, titled Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder Of Nature. The exhibition, set to open in Spring 2020, combines the creative power of film, television, literature and science and is the Museum’s most ambitious exhibition to date.

Mike Gunton, Executive Producer and Creative Director of the BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit, says: “This incredible partnership between three of the UK’s leading institutions will bring an astonishing array of creatures to our screens. We are thrilled to be working with these talented partners to bring natural history content to a wider young audience.”

Fry adds: “I could not be more delighted to be a part of this magnificent opportunity for us Muggles to show the wizarding world that the fantastic beasts in our world are more than a match for theirs.

“Joining forces with the combined powers of the fabulous BBC, its legendary Natural History Unit and the magical Natural History Museum we hope to be able to bring you closer than you’ve ever been to some of the most spectacular and extraordinary creatures ever seen.”

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