PBS science strand “Nova” is set to explore the “epic journey of life” in a new series about evolution.
“Nova: Evolution” is a five-part series from the GBH documentary unit together with the BBC and BBC Studios, which will trace the development of life from a single ancient cell into the many species alive today.
It is set to premiere on Oct. 14, running through Nov. 11 on PBS. The series will also be available on PBS’s website and app and Nova’s YouTube channel, among other places.
“’Evolution’ is an epic tale revealing the twists and turns of our existence over billions of years,” reads the synopsis. “In this landmark series—featuring passionate scientists, gorgeous photography, and stunning animations of long-lost ancestors—discover how every animal we know and love today sprang from creatures that looked nothing like them. This landmark series follows five of these remarkable stories.”
The series will draw on genetic analysis and fossil records across varying regions and environments, combined with photography and animation.
“Evolution can feel like an abstract concept, but the stories at the heart of this series make it viscerally real,” said co-executive producer Chris Schmidt. “Whether it’s tracing how the first light-sensing cells eventually led to a dolphin’s brain wired for complex thought, or how ancient jaw bones became the bones in our ears — these are discoveries that fundamentally change how you see your own body and every living thing around you.”
Co-executive producer Julia Cort added: “Every animal alive today is connected by a single thread of ancestry stretching back billions of years, and yet the creatures that gave rise to modern life would be almost unrecognizable to us today. This series gives viewers a front-row seat to these extraordinary chains of events — mutations, adaptations, and evolutionary leaps — that ultimately produced the astonishing diversity of life on our planet.”
The episodes will include:
- “Brain Power” looking at the evolutionary story of the dolphin to examine how brains have developed
- “Need to Feed” follows the evolution of the bat to discover the untold story of eating
- “Body Builders” looking at how single cells grew to a variety of sizes, from fish to elephants
- “The Mating Game” will examine the origins of males and females as well as the use of feathers in courtship
- “On the Run” follows the evolution of the horse to look at how animals move
“Nova: Evolution” is a BBC Studios Science Unit Production with “Nova” and GBH for PBS and BBC.
Series Producer is Milla Harrison-Hansley. Executive producers for BBC are Rob Liddell and Andrew Cohen. Series producer for BBC is Alice Jones. Head of production for BBC is Laura Davey. It was commissioned for BBC Two by Jack Bootle, head of commissioning, specialist factual. The commissioning editor is Tom Coveney, head of commissioning, science. Executives in charge for PBS are Geoff Daniels and Diana El-Osta. Executive producers for “Nova” are Julia Cort and Chris Schmidt. Senior producer for “Nova” is Caitlin Saks.
Funding was provided by Carlisle Companies, Viking Cruises, the NOVA Science Trust with support from Margaret and Will Hearst, and from PBS viewers.
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