Planet Earth 2: release date, locations, and four other things to know as David Attenborough’s stunning BBC Nature series returns

Get ready for the most stunning wildlife show you’ve ever seen
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Ben Travis8 November 2016

It’s finally time to invest in that snazzy new TV you’ve been eyeballing – David Attenborough’s Planet Earth is back for a new series and you’re going to want to watch it in the highest definition possible.

It’s a decade since the ground-breaking nature show first aired, and the new series – simply titled Planet Earth II – looks set to be even more impressive.

Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s most exciting documentary show.

1) It starts on November 6

Planet Earth II is set to be your Sunday night end-of-weekend treat – with episodes airing at 8pm on BBC One.

The series kicks off on November 6, and consists of six episodes – the perfect way to spend the dark wintry evenings.

BBC NHU/©Elizabeth White

2) David Attenborough is on narration duties

Planet Earth wouldn’t be the same without David Attenborough – and he’s once again lending his voice to narrate the show.

His soothing and characterful tones really help the animals’ stories spring to life, complementing the stunning cinematography. Of course, his knowledge is unparalleled too – this is set to be another gem in his incredible body of work.

3) It was filmed in 40 countries

The team behind Planet Earth visited a lot of, well, planet Earth while making the new series – shooting in 40 countries.

Each episode focuses on a different environment – islands, mountains, jungles, deserts, grasslands, and cities – in locations ranging from Madagascar to Botswana, India to Israel, Kazakhstan to Argentina.

There’s even a section in the Grasslands episode that was shot a little closer to home – Norfolk, to be exact – following a tiny adorable harvest mouse.

4) Hans Zimmer has written the score

Video this impressive needs audio to match – and the BBC have lined up Hans Zimmer to provide a score.

For a sneak peek of how beautiful and epic the arrangements are going to sound, here’s a short video from the recording sessions. Prepare for major goosebumps.

5) It’s more immersive than ever

Planet Earth II won’t just be more of the same. Series Producer Tom Hugh-Jones has explained that they took a different approach to filming the new series for a greater sense of immersion.

“This time we’re bringing audiences a much more engaging experience of the natural world,” he says. “If you want people to connect emotionally, it’s better for viewers to feel like they’re down there close, with a wide-angle lens, within the action and seeing things from the animal character’s point of view.”

BBC NHU/Emma Napper

6) It’s been years in the making

Of course, a show like this doesn’t just happen overnight – but Hugh-Jones has revealed that some of the footage was especially gruelling to set up.

One section in the Islands episode was filmed on Zavodovski in the South Sandwich Islands, and required a whole year of planning.

“It’s a big volcanic island in the Sub Antarctic and home to the world’s biggest colony of chin strap penguins,” Hugh-Jones explains.

“The island’s beaches are usually too rough to land on, so you have to access it via the cliff – with 12 metre waves crashing around you! The sequence we filmed here is a powerful story of the penguins’ challenge to survive and raise their chicks.”

BBC One, Sunday 8pm

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