BBC Studios Productions is teaming with James Cameron for its first National Geographic commission, Mission OceanX (w/t).
The six-part series with National Geographic Explorer-at-Large Cameron will join state-of-the-art exploration vessel Alucia2 on her maiden voyage, in a co-production with OceanX Media. It will take a new look into the world’s oceans, 95% of which are unexplored, seeking to capture marine life never seen before.
BBC Studios Natural History Unit used OceanX’s original research vessel the Alucia to create sequences in landmark series Blue Planet II. Formerly an ex-oil survey ship, Alucia2 will be specially equipped with its own helicopter, two manned submersibles and a deep-diving robot. New discoveries will be made in real time using the ship’s state-of-the-art dry and wet marine laboratories, and an on-board media studio will bring them to screens.
"We are tremendously proud to be partnering with BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit, OceanX, Dalio Philanthropies and the Avatar Alliance Foundation on this premium, landmark series that will live across National Geographic,” says Courteney Monroe, president, National Geographic Global Television Networks.
Julian Hector, BBC Studios Natural History Unit Head says: "Discovering and telling the stories of inhabitants hidden beneath the waves and sometimes in mind-boggling depths of water raises huge filming challenges. Not only does this truly one-of-a-kind ground-breaking ocean exploration take us to the boundary of what is possible to film, we will define new boundaries.”
Orla Doherty, co-executive producer for BBC Studios Natural History Unit adds: “This is the most critical time we’ve ever known for understanding our seas and how each and every one of us are impacting them, and the precious life within them.”
National Geographic Explorer-at-Large James Cameron says: “In Mission OceanX, we’ll take viewers on an unparalleled ocean journey on the Alucia2, introducing them to the trials and tribulations of ocean discovery in real-time and the principled, passionate people behind them. We’ll tell a visually spectacular and dramatic story—a story that inspires the next generation of explorers and adventurers committed to protecting and preserving our oceans.”
MISSION OCEANX will be co-produced by BBC Studios Natural History Unit and OceanX Media for National Geographic. For Earthship, James Cameron and Maria Wilhelm are executive producers. Roger Webb, Orla Doherty and Stephen Rankin are executive producers for BBC Studios. Ray Dalio, Mark Dalio and Joe Ruffolo are executive producers for OceanX Media. For National Geographic, Kevin Tao Mohs is executive producer; Alan Eyres is senior vice president, production and development; and Geoff Daniels is executive vice president, global unscripted entertainment.
Staff Reporter
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