Whale With Steve Backshall: Watch the new trailer for Sky Nature Doc

EXCLUSIVE: Here’s a new trailer for it Whale with Steve Backshall, the upcoming Sky Nature documentary about the graceful underwater creatures. Fremantle has the sales rights to the blue-chip nature series, developed by Sky Studios-owned True to Nature, and released the trailer on the eve of World Earth Day (April 22).

The clip features host, conservationist and wildlife expert Backshall interacting with whales, dolphins and porpoises as he says in voiceover: “I want to challenge what we think we know about these most persecuted and endangered animals.”

The show became part of Fremantle’s London Screenings program in February and will launch in the UK on Sky Nature in the autumn.

We hear that Fremantle has now added some distribution rights to the show’s predecessor, Shark with Steve Backshall. This show has reached an audience of 3.3 million viewers on Sky Nature and Showcase since launching in November 2021 and Fremantle will now look to expand its international reach.

whale will see Backshall freediving with giant sperm whales and intelligent humpback whales, cunning but deadly killer whales and ingenious bottlenose dolphins across the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Advanced technologies such as submersible propulsion vehicles as well as small, powerful drone cameras and split rig cameras were used during filming, enabling crews to film simultaneously above and below the surface. Contributions from pioneering scientists and conservationists are also included, as the document examines how whales and dolphins tackle challenges such as overfishing, pollution and habitat destruction.

“True To Nature has done an excellent job delving into the lives of these fascinating mammals, often shrouded in mystery,” said Angela Neillis, SVP of Non-Scripted Content, International at Fremantle. “Shark with Steve Backshall was a huge hit with audiences on Sky Nature and Whale with Steve Backshall will repeat this success and delight the audience.”

“No one is better suited to take us on a journey of discovery of whales, dolphins and porpoises than Steve Backshall, who shares his world-class wealth of knowledge, expertise and passion for these amazing marine mammals that are surprisingly similar to us. Wendy Darke, founder and CEO of True to Nature, added.

“Innovation is at the heart of this premium range for Poppy Dixon and Sky Nature, in terms of storytelling, filmmaking and sustainable production techniques. True To Nature is delighted to be working with Angela Neillis and her world-class team at Fremantle International Whale with Steve Backshall to the world.”

True to Nature and Sky Studios produced the show, directed by Ellen Husain and Tom Whitworth. Darke is the executive producer and Simon Nash is the series producer. Fremantle has worldwide distribution rights to the series.