The Future Is Wild
Speculative evolution docufiction exploring future ecosystems.
The Future Is Wild (FIW) is a 2002 speculative evolution docufiction miniseries and multimedia franchise that explores hypothetical ecosystems and wildlife at three future time periods: 5 million, 100 million, and 200 million years from now. Conceived by independent producer Joanna Adams in 1996 and developed with scientists including Dougal Dixon, the series uses a nature documentary format to illustrate evolutionary and climatic concepts.
- First conceived
- 1996
- Original release
- 2002
- Creators
- Joanna Adams, Dougal Dixon (consultant)
- Genre
- Speculative evolution docufiction
- Production cost
- £5 million
- Broadcast countries
- Over 60
- Franchise status
- Active; no new media materialized as of 2021
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Speculative evolution / Nature documentary
- Creator
- Joanna Adams
- Narrator
- Christian Rodska (UK/Europe) / Tim White (US, Discovery Channel)
- Composer
- Nicholas Hooper / Paul Pritchard
- Num Episodes
- 13
- Director
- Pierre de Lespinois
- Writer
- Victoria Coules
- Producer
- Steve Nicholls / Paul Reddish / Jeremy Cadle / Clare Dornan
- Executive Producer
- Joanna Adams / Daniela Bagliani / Walter Köhler / Ruth Omphalius / Dawn Sinsel / Emanuela Spinetta
- Country
- United Kingdom / United States
- Runtime
- 20–25 minutes
- Network
- Animal Planet
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Future Is Wild was first conceived by independent producer Joanna Adams in 1996 as a documentary series unlike any before, intended to explain planetary change and evolution in an entertaining and inspirational way. Adams developed the concept with various scientists, notably Dougal Dixon, author of the 1981 book After Man, who designed many of the creatures. The series could not use Dixon's After Man creatures because DreamWorks SKG owned those rights, though some designs were similar. The geography and environments were created with geologists, botanists, and weather experts to ensure scientific plausibility.
Reader's Guide
The Future Is Wild remains significant as a landmark in speculative evolution media, achieving high ratings and winning accolades. Its premiere on Animal Planet in the United States doubled the channel's previous highest viewership, with about 1.8 million households, and it remains the most viewed series in Animal Planet's history. The franchise expanded into books, children's entertainment, exhibitions, theme park rides, educational material, and toys, though a movie adaptation and sequel series were cancelled. From 2016 onward, discussions of a relaunch have included an action-adventure TV series and a virtual reality game, but no new media has materialized. The series continues to be broadcast in over 60 countries as of 2021.
Did You Know?
- The series cost £5 million to make and took six years to develop and produce.
- The Future Is Wild remains the number one most viewed series in Animal Planet's history.
- The franchise includes cancelled projects such as a potential movie adaptation and a sequel series, The Future Is Wild 2.
- The series was influenced by Dougal Dixon's 1981 book After Man, but could not use its creatures due to rights owned by DreamWorks SKG.
More in Television series set in the future 1-24
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