David Farnor | On 31, Mar 2021

David Attenborough is heading to Apple TV+ this April, with a new documentary arriving to mark Earth Day.

Showcasing exclusive footage from around the world after an unprecedented year, The Year Earth Changed is a timely documentary special that takes a new approach to the global lockdown and the uplifting stories that have come out of it. From hearing birdsong in deserted cities, to witnessing whales communicating in new ways, to encountering capybaras in South American suburbs, people all over the world have had the chance to engage with nature like never before. In the one-hour special, viewers will witness how changes in human behaviour — reducing cruise ship traffic, closing beaches a few days a year, identifying more harmonious ways for humans and wildlife to co-exist — can have a profound impact on nature.

The documentary, narrated by David Attenborough, is a love letter to planet Earth, highlighting the ways nature bouncing back can give us hope for the future. Produced by BBC Studios Natural History Unit, directed by Tom Beard, and executive produced by Mike Gunton and Alice Keens-Soper, the film will premiere on 16th April.

“During this most difficult year many people have reappraised the value and beauty of the natural world and taken great comfort from it,” said Attenborough. “But the lockdown also created a unique experiment that has thrown light on the impact we have on the natural world. The stories of how wildlife responded have shown that making even small changes to what we do can make a big difference.”

It will be joined by a second season of Tiny World, narrated and executive produced by Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), which grants viewers a unique perspective into the natural world, illuminating the ingenuity and resilience of the planet’s smallest creatures.

Also returning for a second season is Earth At Night In Colour, with six all-new episodes narrated by Tom Hiddleston (Avengers). With the use of cutting-edge cameras and a revolutionary post-production process, Earth At Night In Colour presents nature’s nocturnal wonders with striking new clarity. Some never-before-seen behaviours of animals after dark, captured using low-light cameras and light from a full moon, include elephants battling hyenas around starlit waterholes and kangaroos embracing under the cover of darkness to find a mate. Other animals in the new season include pumas, polar bears, manta rays and tiny planktonic life at night in the ocean.

All three will be featured in a special Earth Day room on Apple TV+, showcasing a curated collection of content that embraces the theme of preserving the planet. Also included are The Elephant Queen and Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth, which debuted last year on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

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