The BBC will mark naturalist Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday on May 8, 2026, with a week of special programming, including three new series, a live event and a revisiting of classic documentaries, the corporation announced Thursday.
One of the new programs, “Making Life on Earth: Attenborough’s Greatest Adventure,” will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the making of his landmark 1979 series, Life on Earth. The original series followed Attenborough as he travelled to 40 countries to film 600 species. The new documentary will feature interviews with Attenborough and members of the original production team, reflecting on the challenges they faced during filming. These included a coup in the Comoros, being shot at in Rwanda, and Attenborough’s well-known encounter with gorillas in Rwanda, according to the BBC.
The production team faced daunting challenges during the original series, including a threat from Saddam Hussein’s army, as reported by multiple sources.
Attenborough will also appear in a new five-part series, “Secret Garden,” which will explore the hidden worlds within gardens across the United Kingdom. The series will highlight the diversity of life in British back gardens and examine how the public can contribute to the conservation of struggling species.
A live event, “David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth,” will be held at the Royal Albert Hall, featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra and special guests.
The BBC will also re-air episodes from Attenborough’s most popular series, including Planet Earth II, Seven Worlds, One Planet, Blue Planet II, Planet Earth III, Frozen Planet II, and his recent film, Wild London. A collection of 40 of Attenborough’s most-loved programs will also be available on iPlayer.
Jack Bootle, head of commissioning for specialist factual at the BBC, stated, “It’s impossible to overstate what Sir David Attenborough has given us. His programmes have not only defined science and natural history broadcasting, but they have also changed how we see our planet and our place within it.” Bootle added that the week-long celebration is a tribute to Attenborough’s extraordinary work and a thank you for his “generosity, brilliance and a lifetime spent bringing the wonders of nature into our homes.”
