Bluefin Tuna
The first ever comprehensive series on the natural history of the world's oceans.
The Blue Planet is a British nature documentary series created as a co-production between the BBC Natural History Unit and Discovery Channel. It premiered on 12 September 2001 in the United Kingdom. It is narrated by David Attenborough.
Lore & Background
Described as 'the first ever comprehensive series on the natural history of the world's oceans', each of the eight 50-minute episodes examines a different aspect of marine life. The series took almost five years to make, involving nearly 200 filming locations. The executive producer was Alastair Fothergill and the music was composed by George Fenton. A sequel series, Blue Planet II, was aired on BBC One in 2017.
Reader's Guide
The series was sold to over 50 countries. In the United States, it was shown as The Blue Planet: Seas of Life with the episodes in a different order, the first one being retitled 'Ocean World'. The series was shown on the Discovery Channel.
Did You Know?
- The series won a number of Emmy and BAFTA TV awards for its music and cinematography.
- Over 12 million people watched the series when first transmitted on BBC One.
- In 2018 a newly-discovered species of phytoplankton (Syracosphaera azureaplaneta) was named in honour of the programme.
- The series was available as a 3-disc DVD set released 3 December 2001.
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