David Farnor | On 28, Mar 2019

Netflix is throwing its full weight behind new nature documentary Our Planet, with an official companion book and soundtrack both on the way.

The eight-part series, which is produced by Silverback Films, Ltd. and in partnership with WWF, is narrated by Sir David Attenborough and aims to share the wonder of the extraordinary place we call home. Utilising the latest technology, it was filmed entirely in Ultra High Definition in over 50 countries. From exotic jungles to the deepest seas, it will showcase the planet’s most precious species and fragile habitats.

While nabbing Attenborough to narrate was a serious sign of intent from the streaming giant, though, Netflix is going another step further and releasing a host of multimedia extensions next month to accompany the series.

The series soundtrack, in partnership with Decca Records/Universal, will be released on Friday 5th April, the same day as the series, featuring the powerfully moving score by Academy-award winning composer Steven Price (Gravity) and the poignant original song In This Together, performed by Ellie Goulding, which is co-written by the pair. This will be the first ever CD release using renewable seaweed packaging.

Known for speaking up on behalf of the planet and its species, the Grammy-nominated singer was approached by Price to develop the anthem track.

“I felt like I was joining the ultimate team of earth defenders,” she said of the project. “It’s a series that simultaneously wakes you up to the emergency but also instils wonderment. Watch it, and you will never take the earth for granted again.”

Price has developed music that draws from each episode’s diverse biome, allowing for a breath-taking and unified soundtrack, performed by the London Philharmonia Orchestra at Abbey Road.

“For every moment across the eight films, from scenes of epic scale to those of incredible intimacy, my focus has always been on the emotional connection that the music could provide in support of the remarkable images. My hope is that the music for these films can take the audience on a real journey, helping to inspire the changes we need to care for our home,” he added.

An official website, OurPlanet.com, also launches on the same day, providing an array of free online resources to help people of all ages understand the importance of Earth’s habitats and how they can help them thrive for generations to come. A wealth of educational resources, created in partnership with WWF, will be available for schools, youth groups and families, from downloadable classroom materials and an ‘Our Planet Live’ platform offering live link-ups with experts for classrooms all around the world to a free nature ID app – Seek – developed for Our Planet by iNaturalist, which helps budding naturalists to gain a better understanding of their local environment and global biodiversity.

From 2nd April, viewers will also be able to purchase a companion book, by Alastair Fothergill, Keith Scholey, with Fred Pearce. Staying true to the series, the book will take readers on a journey across the globe’s different biological realms to present stunning visuals of nature’s most intriguing animals in action, and environmental change on a remarkable scale. With a keepsake package featuring debossing and foil stamping, the coffee table book will be published simultaneously across the globe: by Ten Speed Press in the US, by Bantam Press in the UK and in 14 other languages. You can watch the trailer for the series here.

Add to Watchlist