Advanced Television

BBC Studios Natural History Unit’s Kingdom attracts global buyers

October 6, 2025

BBC Studios announced has secured pre-sales for its Natural History Unit productions series Kingdom ahead of launching it to international buyers at MIPCOM 2025. The Sir David Attenborough narrated co-production with BBC America has pre-sold to markets* globally from Australasia (Nine and TVNZ) to Asia (Shanghai Media Group’s Dragon TV, China and WOWOW, Japan) and across EMEA (Movistar Plus+, Spain and NPO, Netherlands).

Kingdom (6×60’) This major new wildlife series narrated by Attenborough will dramatically chronicle the real-life sagas of four African animal families, in one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken by the BBC Studios Natural History Unit. Filmed across five years in a single spectacular location, the lives and fates of our four families – leopards, hyenas, wild dogs and lions – are inextricably linked as they strive for a foothold in a remote and fertile river valley in Zambia. As well as the intense power struggles between these top predators, the series shows how a colourful supporting cast, from powerful elephant herds to vast flocks of crimson bee-eaters to troops of marauding baboons, impact our central characters in surprising and diverse ways.

Janet Brown, President, Global Content Sales, BBC Studios said: “The early international demand for Kingdom speaks to the Natural History Unit’s continued innovation in the natural history space, taking viewers to extraordinary places and telling thrilling, perspective-shifting stories.”

In addition to the pre-sales of Kingdom, BBC Studios has unveiled its unscripted slate to be showcased at Mipcom. Titles include Matriarch (w/t), Free Nelson Mandela (w/t), Civilisations: Rise and Fall, Rob & Rylan’s Passage to India, Pete Wicks: For Dog’s Sake and Nisha Katona’s Home Kitchen.

Matriarch (w/t) (2×52’) is the latest production from BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit, co-produced with PBS and The WNET Group. This groundbreaking two-part series explores the incredible lives of two chimpanzee families and the extraordinary females who lead them, charted by world-renowned naturalist Dr. Jane Goodall. Revealing 60 years of rivalry, friendship, drama and discovery, the documentary is a multi-generational tale of female power and motherhood. Drawing from six decades of never-before-broadcast archival footage, breathtaking contemporary wildlife photography, and evocative interviews with Dr. Jane Goodall and others who have spent their lives with these chimps, Matriarch (w/t) focuses for the very first time on the lives of the female chimpanzees of Gombe National Park.

Free Nelson Mandela (w/t) (3×60’ & 1×90’) from multi-award-winning Rogan Productions and GroupM Motion Entertainment is the story of the biggest campaign for a single prisoner in history, and the man who became, for many, the greatest politician of the 20th century. The series documents Mandela’s journey from activist to revolutionary, from prisoner to negotiator and how he led South Africa to democracy. The image of Mandela walking free from prison after 27 years is one of the most iconic in history. With extensive access to those who fought for his freedom and the people at the heart of the anti-apartheid movement, including some of the world’s biggest music stars and previously unseen material, this powerful documentary, for the first time, tells the story in full.

BBC Studios Specialist Factual Productions’ Civilisations: Rise and Fall (4×60’) examines why four famous and mighty civilisations in the past found themselves on the brink of disaster, and how the art and artefacts they left behind hold clues to explaining their fate. Each programme looks at the rise of a different great civilisation and explores the factors that led to its decline. From Ancient Rome to Cleopatra’s Egypt, via the samurai of Japan and the lost world of the Aztecs, audiences will discover rare and beautiful art and artefacts from each culture. All objects that feature in the series are in the British Museum thanks to behind-the-scenes access to spaces most visitors never see.

Following on from their BAFTA-winning adventures in Italy, Rob & Rylan’s Passage to India (3×60’), from Rex, a Zinc Media Company, sees celebrity friends Rob and Rylan travelling to India to seek out incredible art, religion, culture – and connections. From Delhi to Rajasthan and Varanasi, the friends will encounter stunning art, religion, culture and history. It’s going to be a mind-blowing experience. But will it help them find a deeper connection to themselves – and each other?

In BBC Studios Entertainment Production’s Pete Wicks: For Dog’s Sake (15×60’) TV star and podcaster Pete Wicks, a dog lover, has spent years working with charities to improve the lives of our four-legged friends. Having adopted two dogs of his own, he is now on a mission to help other dogs find their forever home. With a further two series and a Christmas special underway, this award-winning show sees Pete working alongside staff at the Dogs Trust taking in abandoned, abused and neglected dogs, rehabilitating them and helping them find new owners. Offering a unique insight into the trust’s heroic work, these are the tender tales of the mistreated and of those who devote themselves to seeing them safe, well and loved.

An STV Studios production, Nisha Katona’s Home Kitchen (10×45’) follows British restauranteur Nisha Katona at home as she cooks and chats with friends and family.

There’s always something cooking at the charming countryside home Nisha shares with her family and their collection of dogs, horses, goats, ducks and chickens. In this series, Nisha prepares some of her favourite dishes from around the world with the help of family, friends and the local foodie community.

BBC Studios will be located at P0.E1 within the Palais des Festivals Verrière section at the market.

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