National Geographic has released "Africa: Earth's Wild Home," a new documentary series designed to launch a franchise covering wildlife across all seven continents. The seven-episode set documents the diverse ecosystems of Africa, ranging from jungles and deserts to plains, mountains, and islands.
The production required four years to complete, with filming conducted in nearly 30 different African countries. Each episode focuses on a specific habitat and concludes by highlighting the scientists, photographers, and National Geographic explorers who contributed to the project. The final episode shifts its focus to local conservation leaders and researchers working to preserve the continent's biodiversity for future generations.
The series features a wide array of species, including chimpanzees using tools to fish for algae, a wild African black panther hunting for prey, an orphaned baby pangolin learning to climb, and a green turtle rescued by local humans after laying eggs on a remote island. These segments illustrate the range of life found within the region's various environments.
Wunmi Mosaku serves as the narrator for the series. Known for her roles in "Sinners," "Loki," and "Lovecraft Country," Mosaku described the opportunity as a way to reconnect with her heritage. Born in Nigeria and raised in England, she told Ars that the project allowed her to celebrate a continent she finds diverse, extreme, beautiful, relentless, and peaceful. She noted that being asked to narrate the series was an honor and a meaningful personal connection.
The documentary is intended to be the first in a line of similar series that will document the wildlife and environmental ecosystems of other continents in turn.