'Planet Earth III' Will Air on BBC America Starting in November

The Planet Earth series has been Sir David Attenborough's crowning achievement of the 21st century, much like Life on Earth was his crowning achievement of the 20th. The BBC naturalist, who has been presenting the wonders of the planet to audiences huddled at home in their living rooms since the 1950s, has more than earned the right to retire. However, the man, born a month after the late Queen Elizabeth II, is still going strong. Though his third (and most likely final) installment in his Planet Earth trilogy initially missed its promised release date of Fall 2022 and the BBC centenary, it's now here, with Attenborough's voice to narrate.

The BBC and BBC America announced the series would arrive before the end of 2023 earlier this year. Still, it wasn't clear how long fans would have to wait or if American viewers would wind up having their premiere shuffled to January, much like they did for Frozen Planet II. But despite the BBC having moved off most of their flagship programs from BBC America to more popular streaming services, Planet Earth will make it to America this year, landing on BBC America and AMC+ on Saturday, November 4, 2023.

Along with the confirmed premiere, BBC America debuted the official trailer, giving viewers a look at the next generation of camera technology and the work that went into this look into our world.

Here's the series synopsis:

Seven years after the Emmy® and BAFTA® Award-winning Planet Earth II, the eagerly anticipated Planet Earth III will journey across the continents, revealing the wonders of our planet. This spellbinding series will feature never-before-seen behavior and dive deep into the stories and animal characters which reflect the new challenges that wildlife faces in our modern, crowded world. The series will also highlight the growing need to preserve and restore nature. In the final episode, viewers will meet some of the dedicated ‘heroes’ across the globe who put their lives on the line to protect the wildlife and the critically important ecosystems of Planet Earth.

Renowned naturalist and three-time Emmy® Award-winner, 97-year-old Sir David Attenborough presents and narrates the eight-episode series. The series music will once again be composed by Hans Zimmer, this time collaborating with Jacob Shea, Sara Barone, and Bastille’s Dan Smith. These stunning soundscapes feature Dan Smith’s vocals on the opening title theme song, as well as within all episodes of the series. Their collaborative reworking of Bastille’s hit single "Pompeii," entitled "Pompeii MMXXIII," features on the series end credits. 

Attenborough executive produces alongside Mike Gunton and Matt Brandon. Planet Earth III is BBC Studios Natural History Production co-produced with BBC America, ZDF, and France Televisions in partnership with The Open University for BBC.  

Planet Earth III will air on BBC America and stream on AMC+ on a weekly schedule beginning Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 9 p.m. ET, running eight episodes through the end of the year.