BBC orders Attenborough and the Giant Sea Monster
April 11, 2023
BBC Factual has announced Attenborough and the Giant Sea Monster (working title), a 60’ film for BBC One and iPlayer, made by BBC Studios Natural History Unit and co-produced by PBS and the WNET Group.
Following on from the success of Wild Isles, Sir David Attenborough is now turning his attention to explore more about the UK’s prehistoric era.
The documentary follows Attenborough as he unearths the discovery of a lifetime: the skull of a giant Pliosaur – one of the most ferocious Jurassic predators. This enormous prehistoric marine reptile ruled the seas at the same time dinosaurs reigned on land, 150 million years ago. Fossil experts believe this Pliosaur to be a completely new species and working at a secret location are setting out on am expedition to excavate the skull, and uncover the secrets lying within.
Attenborough commented: “Pliosaurs were the biggest and most formidable hunters in the Jurassic seas, the marine equivalent, you might say of T-Rex. The skull of this one is, by itself, over two metres long and armed with massive fangs. Frustratingly, skulls, which can tell us most about an animal, are only too easily smashed before fossilisation but this one is virtually undamaged and promises to reveal all kinds of new details about these terrifying hunters that preyed on Lyme Regis’ better known ichthyosaurs.”
Attenborough will be joined by a team of top scientists and palaeontologists as they unlock clues about this apex predator – from understanding how it looked and behaved, to uncovering the strategies it used to hunt and kill its prey – while cutting-edge visual effects sequences will bring the sea monster to life, showcasing its size and strength.
Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual, commented: “David has filmed some of the world’s very best fossil animals, so the fact he’s so interested in this skull makes me unbelievably excited. This film promises to be a thrilling trip through time to a moment when monsters ruled the seas around Britain. I can’t wait for viewers to experience it.”
Mike Gunton, Executive Producer, added: “It’s wonderful to be back on location with David – his eyes absolutely lit up when we told him about this amazing find – he couldn’t wait to join the ‘dig’ and get a first look at the fossil bones for himself.”