GIPHYPlanet Earth II has captured the hearts and minds of a nation with its powerful message and precision filming capturing moments even the most experienced of naturalists might never have seen before.
And now the BBC‘s six-part nature series, which traversed our planet from the skies, to the cities and across vast mountain ranges, might be returning to our screens within the next decade.
BBC bosses are reportedly already lining up a third series and with millions flocking to watch Planet Earth II every Sunday, they’d be crazy not to.
GIPHYThe BBC estimate the third series will air in the next ten years by the time David Attenborough is 100-years-old.
The naturist and beloved TV presenter celebrated his 90th birthday this year.
The first series of Planet Earth was broadcast in 2006, exactly ten years ago, so the maths does add up.
Producer, Mike Gunton, sang Attenborough’s praises, saying the show wouldn’t be the same without him:
We’d also be crazy to say it will be here in three years or even five years’ time. We love working with Sir David and I think he loves working with us, and we want that to last as long as possible.
When he decides he doesn’t want to do any more, we will have to rethink how we make these programmes.
You can’t replace him – it’s pointless trying.
GIPHYThe programme, filled with soaring highs and subterranean lows, became more popular than The X Factor.
It helped the BBC beat ITV‘s weekend viewing statistics throughout its short-lived run.
GIPHYPlanet Earth II bought us fighting between rivals and dating rituals between lovers.
Viewers bore witness to births, deaths and every itch and scratch of lives lived within Mother Nature’s bountiful but harsh world.
The Planet Earth II season finale aired with its ‘Cities’ episode on Sunday, which demonstrated the plight of the hawksbill turtle.
The series closed with a damning conclusion from Attenborough regarding humanity’s responsibility to take care of the world around us.
We must protect our planet, and all those creatures who call it home. #PlanetEarth2 pic.twitter.com/9WpOWbMXgr
— BBC One (@BBCOne) December 11, 2016
It will be interesting to see how far we, and the beautiful diversity of the animal kingdom, develop ecologically in the next decade.
You’ll have to tune into Planet Earth III to find out. Bring on 2026.
A former emo kid who talks too much about 8Chan meme culture, the Kardashian Klan, and how her smartphone is probably killing her. Francesca is a Cardiff University Journalism Masters grad who has done words for BBC, ELLE, The Debrief, DAZED, an art magazine you’ve never heard of and a feminist zine which never went to print.