BBC Studios has commissioned After Party Studios to create an innovative two-part series, sponsored by Audible, for its BBC Earth portfolio of digital channels.
Hosted by content creator and filmmaker Max Tobin, Framed By Existence explores the head-scratching oddities of the brain, unpacking the hidden assumptions behind what we think we know about ourselves.
Each episode dives into ideas like shame, power, fear, belief, fate and control, revealing how evolution, culture and psychology shape the way we think and behave. Blending scientific research with provocative questions, the series explores everything from why humans often obey authority against their better judgment, to the controversial idea proposed by some neuroscientists that free will may not exist at all.
The series also examines theories suggesting humans may tolerate flawed systems rather than risk the uncertainty of change, raising valuable questions about how fear, stability and power shape the societies we live in. It follows After Party Studios’ previous work for BBC Studios Digital Brands on the 18 part series, The Science of…, on space and the human body for BBC Earth on YouTube.
Alysha Christal, Producer at After Party Studios, says: “Reuniting with BBC Studios on Framed By Existence has been amazing. Crafting innovative, highly engaging stories for digital audiences is what we do best, and this series gave us the perfect canvas to do that. Max has an extraordinary talent for making complex ideas feel accessible, bringing them to life in a way that’s fresh, distinctive, and unmistakably his own – giving the series a voice that really resonates with viewers.”
Jasmine Dawson, Senior Vice President, Digital, BBC Studios adds: “At BBC Studios Digital Brands, we’re committed to delivering a bold and diverse slate of original programming across our portfolio of channels, and Framed by Existence is a standout addition to that strategy. As one of multiple cross‑genre commissions we’re launching this year, it brings more of the fascinating, thought‑provoking storytelling audiences expect from the BBC Earth portfolio. Collaborating once again with Max’s distinctive creative voice, working with the exceptional production craft of After Party Studios, and having the support of Audible has been incredibly rewarding. We’re excited to share this series with our global audiences.”
Host Max Tobin said: “It was a pleasure working with After Party Studios and BBC Studios on this particularly weird science series. Psychological theories are often so rogue and essentially insane that they feel like science fiction – so it’s been wonderful to explore some of the whackiest beliefs held by the world’s experts, and how they can help us in our own lives.”
Framed By Existence is executive produced by Jamie MacDonald, with Chris Ambrose as commissioning editor. Alysha Christal serves as producer. Max Tobin hosts, writes, and directs.
The series is available now on the BBC Earth Science YouTube channel.
Jon Creamer
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