Hubbry Logo
Blue Planet IIBlue Planet IIMain
Open search
Blue Planet II
Community hub
Blue Planet II
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Blue Planet II
Blue Planet II
Blue Planet II
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Blue Planet II
GenreNature documentary
Presented byDavid Attenborough
Composers
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes7
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Miles Barton
  • Orla Doherty
  • Kathryn Jeffs
  • Will Ridgeon
  • John Ruthven
  • Jonathan Smith
Running time60 minutes
Production companyBBC Natural History Unit
Original release
Network
Release29 October (2017-10-29) –
10 December 2017 (2017-12-10)

Blue Planet II is a 2017 British nature documentary series on marine life produced as a co-production between the BBC Natural History Unit, BBC America, Tencent, WDR, France Télévisions and CCTV-9 in partnership with The Open University. It is a successor to The Blue Planet (2001) with naturalist Sir David Attenborough reprising his role as the narrator.[1]

Blue Planet II received acclaim. It had the highest viewing figures of any television programme in the UK in 2017, and was so widely watched in China that it reportedly caused internet problems. It is credited with increasing public and political interest in issues affecting marine life, in particular marine plastic pollution, which was dubbed "the Blue Planet effect".

Production

[edit]

The series was announced by the BBC in 2013 with the working title Oceans, but the title was later changed to Blue Planet II as was revealed on 19 February 2017, making it a follow-up to the 2001 series The Blue Planet.[2][3] Filming took place over a course of more than four years; involving 125 expeditions across 39 countries and produced more than 6,000 hours of underwater dive footage from over an estimated 4,000 dives.[4]

Blue Planet II was announced in 2013 and was filmed over four years in 39 countries, in more than 125 international trips. The score was composed by Hans Zimmer, Jacob Shea and David Fleming. The rock band Radiohead reworked their 2011 song "Bloom" with Zimmer for the series.

Release

[edit]

Blue Planet II debuted on 29 October 2017 and was simultaneously cast on BBC One, BBC One HD and BBC Earth, making it the first natural history series to premiere on the same day in the UK, Nordic regions, Europe and in Asia. In the US, it premiered on January 20, 2018, as part of a five-network simulcast on BBC America, AMC, IFC, Sundance, and WE tv.

United Kingdom

[edit]

The premiere of the series took place at Bristol's Cinema de Lux on 11 October 2017, with special guest appearance by Attenborough along with the producers and wildlife experts. Bristol has been the global home of BBC's Natural History programme making for the past 60 years.[5][6][7] The series was first broadcast on 29 October 2017 (from 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT) on BBC One and BBC One HD.[8] The first six episodes included a 10-minute making-of documentary called Into the Blue.[9] The previous week's episode was repeated in an earlier time slot the following Sunday. The series was critically acclaimed[10] and gained the highest UK viewing figure for 2017, 14.1 million.[11]

International

[edit]

BBC Worldwide pre-sold the series to several overseas broadcasters, which includes Canada (Blue Ant Media's licensed channel for BBC Earth), Australia (Channel Nine) and New Zealand (TVNZ), to Europe with Denmark (DR), Netherlands (NPO), Sweden (SVT), Spain (Telefonica's BBC Earth block), Discovery Channel for Latin America and co-production partnerships with BBC America, Germany's WDR, France Télévisions,[12] China's Tencent and CCTV-9.[13] The series was eventually sold to more than 30 countries.[12]

The series is set to broadcast internationally on BBC Earth channel, and also commercial television channels in various countries, besides.[12] The series debuted in Nordic regions and other European countries on 29 October 2017.[14][15][16][17][18] In Asia, the series began to premiere on each early Monday (from 04:05 SGT to 05:05 SGT) starting from 30 October 2017,[19][20][21] the episode was then repeated on following each Tuesday evening (from 20:00 SGT).[20][21][22] In Poland, it premiered on 16 November 2017.[23] As for South Africa, it aired from 4 February 2018.[24]

In China, the premiere took place at Shanghai's East China Normal University on 27 October 2017, with guest appearance by the producer Orla Doherty and Mike Gunton, the executive producer of Planet Earth II.[25] The series is streaming broadcast at Tencent's QQLive from 30 October 2017, with episodes updating every Monday at 18:00 CST.[26][27] It would also be broadcast on the state owned China Central Television's documentary channel, CCTV-9, with episodes airing each Monday from 6 November 2017 at 21:00 CST.[13][28]

In the Netherlands, the series is airing on the Dutch channel NPO 1, with episodes airing each Thursday from 28 December 2017.[29] In Belgium, it will air on the Flemish channel Canvas, with episodes airing each Saturday starting from 2 January 2018.[30] The series aired in Canada and the United States on 20 January 2018.[31][32][33] In Canada, it will broadcast with a three-network simulcast across BBC Earth, Cottage Life and T+E channel.[31] In the United States, the series premiered the first episode – with a five-network simulcast across BBC America, AMC, IFC, WE tv and Sundance TV,[32][33] while the remaining episodes continued to be aired every Saturday on BBC America. It is also available on BBCAmerica.com and the BBCA app.[34]

As for Australia, the series will premiere on Nine Network and 9Now on 17 February 2018.[35][36] In New Zealand, it premiered on 12 November 2017 on TVNZ 1.[37][38] For Singapore, the series premiered on Mediacorp Channel 5 on Sundays starting 27 May 2018.[39] In Greece, all the seven original episodes were broadcast from 12 April 2020 until 18 April 2020 at 10.30pm on the free-to-air television network Skai TV.[40]

Episodes

[edit]
No.TitleProduced byOriginal release dateUK viewers
(millions) [41]
–"The Prequel"N/A27 September 2017 (2017-09-27)[42][43]N/A
A 5-minute clip introduction which focuses in particular on the upcoming stories from the ocean depths.
1"One Ocean"Jonathan Smith29 October 2017 (2017-10-29)[44]14.01
Animals featured include bottlenose dolphins that surf and rub themselves in corals in the Red Sea, smart tuskfish that use coral to break open clam shells, large packs of giant trevallies hunting tern chicks in atolls in the Indian Ocean, false killer whales joining a pack of bottlenose dolphins in New Zealand, a female kobudai changing its sex to male, orca and humpback whales feasting in large schools of herring in Norway and walruses trying to rest on the melting ice in the Arctic to escape polar bears.
2"The Deep"Orla Doherty5 November 2017 (2017-11-05)[45]13.97
The depths of the ocean are among the most difficult conditions in the world. The depths of Antarctica host diverse endemic creatures. In other oceans, giant tunicate – pyrosome, swordfish, cock-eyed squid and barreleyes are specially adapted to dark conditions, and large Humboldt squids hunt lanternfish then cannibalize one another. The deep sea anglerfish and dragonfish attracts prey, and fangtooths eat fish and squid. In the deep, a sperm whale carcass attracts many scavengers, such as bluntnose sixgill sharks, spider crabs, rock crabs, and osedax; as well as the scavenger's predators, including silver scabbardfish. Also features shrimps living in a Venus' flower basket sponge, swimming pools of brine in the Gulf of Mexico, and the life found in the Mariana Trench, including the snailfish.
3"Coral Reefs"Jonathan Smith12 November 2017 (2017-11-12)[46]13.45
Coral reefs are a large habitat created by tiny creatures called coral polyps. Features broadclub cuttlefish searching prey, coral trout cooperatively hunting with octopus, Green sea turtles in Borneo cleaned by surgeonfish and blennies, bottlenose dolphins playing, a bobbit worm hunting in the sands of the reef, a family of saddleback clownfish transporting a shell on which to lay their eggs, and marbled groupers breeding in French Polynesia while grey reef sharks attack.
4"Big Blue"John Ruthven19 November 2017 (2017-11-19)[47]13.11
A large school of spinner dolphins chase lanternfish with yellowfin tuna, sailfish and the mobula ray, sperm whales with their calves hunting squid, young sea turtles find refuge at flotsam, blue sharks scavenge a whale carcass with the world's largest predatory fish, the great white shark. A Portuguese man o' war floats in the current waiting for small fish, whale sharks breed in the Galápagos Islands along with hammerhead and silky sharks, and wandering albatrosses raising their chicks. Highlights the effects of plastic on marine life, with a short-finned pilot whale family mourning a calf that died after ingesting milk contaminated with plastic particles.
5"Green Seas"Kathryn Jeffs26 November 2017 (2017-11-26)[48]12.62
Within kelp forests, starfish release their eggs, which are consumed by sea cucumbers and sea pens. Common octopus escape from pyjama sharks by hiding inside shells; Garibaldi hide from torpedo rays and try to protect their patches of seaweed from grazers and from a plague of sea urchins, whose numbers are kept in check by sea otters. In Australia, green sea turtles graze on seagrass beds and are chased by tiger sharks. Other inhabitants of the seagrass beds are spider crabs coming to molt with protection from a short-tail stingray, giant cuttlefish mating, and weedy seadragon fathers carrying eggs. In the mangrove roots of North Australia, a zebra mantis shrimp hunts small fish for his mate. A large pack of common dolphins, California sea lions and humpback whales feasting in school of anchovies, themselves feeding on phytoplankton, in Monterey Bay.
6"Coasts"Miles Barton3 December 2017 (2017-12-03)[49]11.45
Animals featured include thousands of olive ridley sea turtles that come up to land to lay their eggs; Galápagos sea lion catching yellowfin tuna in the shallow bay of the coast; rock pool creatures including predators like starfish, sea anemones and clingfishes that prey on limpets and bivalves; a chain moray eel and an octopus hunt Sally Lightfoot crabs in Brazil, puffins and common murres avoiding arctic skuas, Pacific leaping blennies making their home on land; a colony of king penguins crossing a colony of fiercely territorial southern elephant seals; and large groups of spinner sharks and blacktip sharks off the coast of Palm Beach, Florida.
7"Our Blue Planet"Orla Doherty, Will Ridgeon10 December 2017 (2017-12-10)[51]11.91
Examining the role of human anthropogenic activity on the oceans. Microplastics and pollution are an increasing problem for the world's seas, threatening the lives of marine life and ultimately affecting the ecosystem. Can humans reverse their activity to protect the seas and the wildlife that inhabit it?[50]
–"Oceans of Wonder"N/A1 January 2018 (2018-01-01)[52]N/A
A 90-minute compilation episode which highlights the wonders of our world's oceans as well as filming some extraordinary animal behaviours which were never seen before.

Music

[edit]
Blue Planet II
Soundtrack album by
Hans Zimmer, David Fleming & Jacob Shea
Released29 October 2017 (Digital)
1 December 2017 (Audio CD)
GenreSoundtrack, Classical music
Length1:11:29
LabelSilva Screen Records
ProducerBBC Worldwide
BBC Earth

Hans Zimmer returned to score Blue Planet II.[53] The score and songs featured in the series were composed by Zimmer, Jacob Shea and David Fleming for Bleeding Fingers Music. It was recorded at Synchron Stage Vienna.[54]

Zimmer collaborated with the English rock band Radiohead to record a new version of their song "Bloom" from their 2011 album The King of Limbs.[55] The new track, "(ocean) bloom", was recorded with the BBC Concert Orchestra, which attempted to emulate a "tidal effect".[56] In a press release, the Radiohead singer, Thom Yorke, said "Bloom" had been inspired by the original Blue Planet and so he was happy to "come full circle with the song".[55] It was used as the soundtrack for a Blue Planet II prequel video released by the BBC to promote the series.[57]

A digital soundtrack was released on 29 October 2017, while a single physical disc was released on 1 December 2017 in the UK.[58][59][60][61] The soundtrack was released as special edition LP for Record Store Day on 21 April 2018.[62]

Reception

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 97% of 31 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 9.4/10. The website's consensus reads: "Blue Planet II's hypnotic beauty is complemented by intense ethical musing, contrasting the micro and the macro in a humbling exploration of humanity's relationship with the ground it stands on."[63] On Metacritic the film has a weighted average score of 97 out of 100 based on seven critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[64]

In a positive review, Ed Yong of The Atlantic called Blue Planet II "the greatest nature series that the BBC has ever produced".[65] The Guardian columnist George Monbiot criticised the series for mostly omitting the impact of the fishing industry on the oceans: "It's as if you were to make a film about climate breakdown without revealing the role of fossil fuel companies". Monbiot stated that the film's only mention of the fishing industry was a story "about how kind Norwegian herring boats are to orcas".[66]

Impact

[edit]

The programme has been credited with raising awareness of plastic pollution both domestically and internationally, an influence dubbed the 'Blue Planet effect'.[67][68] After the first episode aired in the UK, there was a surge in search engine enquiries about conservation charities, with the Marine Conservation Society, WWF and Plastic Oceans Foundation all receiving a significant spike in traffic.[69] Following the programme's airing in the UK, the BBC announced its intention to completely ban single-use plastics within its organisation by 2020.[70] In April 2018, in response to growing public support directly linked to Blue Planet II, the British government announced it was considering a national ban on single-use plastic products.[71] It was also reported that Queen Elizabeth II's decision to ban plastic bottles and straws across the Royal estates was in part a response to the documentary.[72] A 2020 study suggested that the programme triggered long-lasting increased political, media and public interest in plastic pollution in the UK, where previous efforts to do so had not been successful.[68] Another study found that watching the single documentary did not influence participants to change their individual plastic consumption behaviour, even if they were made more aware of the issue or if it had a wider societal impact.[73][74]

British universities such as the University of Southampton noticed a sudden increase in applications for marine biology courses following the programme's airing, which was again attributed to the 'Blue Planet effect'.[75] It was reported that the number of people in China simultaneously streaming Blue Planet II (approximately 80 million) had a noticeable impact upon internet speeds within the country.[76] The popularity of the documentary in China was cited as partly the reason British prime minister Theresa May gave Chinese president Xi Jinping a Blue Planet II box set signed by David Attenborough. It was also symbolic of a joint plan to tackle plastic pollution and the illegal wildlife trade, announced by British officials during Xi's 2018 visit.[77][78]

Accolades

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
2018 National Television Awards Impact Award Blue Planet II & David Attenborough Won [79][80][81]
British Academy Television Awards Huw Wheldon Award for Specialist Factual Blue Planet II Nominated [82]
Virgin TV's Must-See Moments "Mother Pilot Whale Grieves" Won
British Academy Television Craft Awards Best Editing: Factual Matt Meech (for: "One Ocean") Nominated [83]
Nigel Buck (for: "The Deep") Nominated
Best Photography: Factual Camera Team (for: "One Ocean") Won
Best Titles & Graphic Identity BDH Creative Nominated
Best Sound: Factual Graham Wild, Tim Owens, Kate Hopkins (for: "Coral Reefs") Won

Home media

[edit]

DVD and Blu-ray

[edit]

The series was released as a three-disc DVD set[84] as well as a standard Blu-ray set[85] on 27 November 2017, and as a six-disc 4K UHD Blu-ray + Blu-ray set[86] on 15 January 2018. It is distributed by BBC Worldwide in the UK.

In the US and Canada, the DVD,[87][88] Blu-ray[89][90] and 4K UHD Blu-ray[91][92] sets were released on 6 March 2018 and distributed by BBC Worldwide Americas.

Other media

[edit]

Book

[edit]

An accompanying hardback book was written by James Honeyborne and Mark Brownlow, with foreword by David Attenborough. It was published by BBC Books (ISBN 978-1849909679). The book was released on 19 October 2017 in the UK[93][94] and on 1 January 2018 in the US.[95]

Open University poster

[edit]

A free poster was made available through the Open University's OpenLearn website.[96]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Blue Planet II

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
is a seven-part British produced by the Unit as a to the 2001 series , first broadcast on beginning 29 October 2017 and narrated by Sir . The series explores the world's oceans through advanced cinematography, revealing previously unseen behaviors of marine species across diverse ecosystems from coastal shallows to the . Filmed over four years in over 50 countries, Blue Planet II employed cutting-edge technologies such as underwater drones and macro lenses to capture intimate details of ocean life, highlighting both the beauty and fragility of marine environments. It achieved record-breaking viewership in the , with the premiere episode drawing 14.1 million viewers and becoming the most-watched program of 2017. The series garnered critical acclaim for its visual spectacle and educational value, earning a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding for a Program and nominations for Outstanding or Series. It also received the National Television Award for Impact, recognizing its role in raising public awareness about plastic pollution's effects on marine wildlife, which prompted behavioral changes in 88% of viewers according to surveys and influenced discussions on single-use plastics.

Production

Development and Planning

The development of Blue Planet II was driven by executive producer James Honeyborne's recognition of significant advancements in underwater filming technology and new marine discoveries since the original 2001 series, aiming to reveal previously undocumented animal behaviors and ocean phenomena. The project was initially commissioned by the BBC Natural History Unit under the working title Oceans. Planning spanned approximately one year prior to filming, during which the production team, led by Honeyborne and series producer Mark Brownlow, collaborated with marine scientists to structure the series into seven episodes centered on distinct ocean habitats such as the , coral reefs, and open waters. Key decisions included prioritizing cutting-edge equipment like rebreather diving kits for extended underwater stays, low-light cameras (e.g., A7S and Canon ME20F), and custom tools such as the megadome lens and underwater probe to access novel filming angles and behaviors. The team also secured co-production partnerships with entities including and to support the ambitious scope. Logistical planning emphasized military-style coordination for 125 expeditions across 39 countries and all oceans, accounting for seasonal wildlife patterns and environmental variables like the El Niño phenomenon that later affected shoots. The final title Blue Planet II was publicly announced on 19 February 2017, with confirmed as narrator. This preparatory phase ensured the series could integrate emerging scientific insights while minimizing ethical risks to wildlife through targeted, non-disruptive approaches.

Filming Techniques and Innovations

The production of Blue Planet II employed advanced underwater cinematography to capture previously unseen marine behaviors, utilizing custom-engineered cameras and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) during expeditions spanning four years across 39 countries. Filmmakers integrated re-breather , allowing divers to remain submerged for up to four hours without producing bubbles that could disturb subjects, thereby enabling footage of natural behaviors in shallow waters. Ultra-sensitive low-light cameras, capable of in near-darkness, were pivotal for filming bioluminescent phenomena, such as "sea sparkles" amid shoals of mobula rays off in 2016. Infrared cameras revealed predatory strikes by bobbit worms on fish at night, documenting behaviors not previously recorded. Miniaturized probe cameras with wide-angle lenses accessed tight coral crevices to film tiny reef organisms at eye level, while UHD underwater probe systems targeted small-scale reef activity. For deep-sea sequences, submersibles weighing 10 tonnes and van-sized ROVs equipped with fiber-optic controls facilitated macro filming of creatures smaller than a fingernail; operators used laptops, joysticks, and hand controls to manage rotation, tilt, focus, and exposure remotely. A custom macro-camera mounted on submersible arms captured extreme close-ups on the seafloor, limited to select shots per dive due to alignment challenges with minute subjects. Innovations like underwater sliders enabled smooth tracking shots mimicking creature perspectives in reefs, motorized macro positioners provided precise positioning for detailed close-ups, and scope lenses allowed penetration into coral structures for novel angles. Surface and transitional filming incorporated a 24-inch megadome lens to simultaneously capture above- and below-water scenes, such as interactions with icebergs, minimizing and splash interference. Suction-cup-mounted miniature cameras, affixed to orcas and whale sharks via poles, recorded unique viewpoints of prey pursuits, with sensors tracking environmental data before self-detaching. High-speed slow-motion cameras on jet skis filmed dolphins leaping through waves, while custom time-lapse rigs documented processes like in rock pools. These methods, often developed in collaboration with scientists, yielded over 6,000 hours of footage emphasizing and cinematic .

Crew, Narrator, and Ethical Filming Practices

Sir served as the narrator for Blue Planet II, providing the series' distinctive voice-over commentary that contextualized the footage of marine life and ecosystems, a role he reprised from the original 2001 series. His narration emphasized scientific observations and environmental interconnections, drawing on decades of experience in . The production team was headed by executive producer James Honeyborne, a who initiated the project in 2013 and coordinated filming efforts spanning four years across more than 50 countries and 6,250 hours of footage from global oceans. Series producer Mark Brownlow oversaw the integration of underwater sequences, building on prior work in deep-sea documentaries. Episode-specific producers included Orla Doherty for "The Deep" and "Our Blue Planet," involving 500 hours of submersible dives to depths of 1,000 meters; Kathryn Jeffs for "Green Seas," with Antarctic expeditions; John Ruthven for "Big Blue," featuring custom cameras; and Jonathan Smith for "Coral Reefs" and "One Ocean." Underwater cinematographers such as Roger Munns captured specialized reef and behavioral footage using advanced low-light equipment, while production manager Katie Hall managed logistics for the multi-year endeavor. The crew comprised filmmakers, marine scientists, and technicians from the Natural History Unit, emphasizing collaboration with international partners to access remote habitats. The BBC Natural History Unit adhered to editorial guidelines prohibiting filming activities that cause physical harm or undue distress to animals, prioritizing observation over intervention and requiring risk assessments for all wildlife interactions. In Blue Planet II, this involved non-invasive technologies like remotely operated vehicles, autonomous landers, and deep-submergence vehicles to film in inaccessible deep-sea zones without direct human presence, reducing ecological disruption. However, some sequences used footage of captive cetaceans from aquariums to illustrate social behaviors, which producers defended as behaviorally authentic and indistinguishable from wild equivalents in controlled settings, though disclosure of captive origins was not provided in the broadcast, prompting for potential viewer deception. A awareness segment in episode 7 employed staged releases of hundreds of rubber ducks to simulate plastic debris accumulation, which environmental advocates accused of misleading representation despite producers' claims of illustrative intent to highlight real threats. Broader industry discussions post-production called for standardized ethical codes, including independent reviews, to address cumulative filming impacts like carbon emissions from expeditions, though no major violations were documented for the series.

Broadcast and Distribution

United Kingdom Broadcast

Blue Planet II premiered on in the on 29 2017, airing weekly on Sunday evenings at 8:00 PM. The seven-episode series concluded on 10 December 2017, with each installment exploring distinct oceanic environments and behaviors narrated by . The opening episode, "One Ocean," attracted an average of 10.3 million live viewers, representing over 41% of the available television audience, marking it as the highest-rated BBC program at the time of broadcast. Including time-shifted viewings within seven days, the premiere reached 14.1 million viewers, surpassing competitors such as and to become the most-watched British television program of 2017. Subsequent episodes maintained strong performance, consistently outperforming rival entertainment shows in weekly ratings. In addition to linear television, the series dominated BBC iPlayer streaming, becoming the platform's most-requested program of 2017 with millions of additional on-demand views contributing to its overall reach. This hybrid viewership underscored the program's broad appeal across demographics, including younger audiences aged 16-34 who engaged heavily via digital platforms. The broadcast schedule also included an accompanying one-hour prequel special, "Blue Planet II: The Prequel," featuring music by and , which aired prior to the main series to build anticipation.

International Release and Viewership

Blue Planet II began its international rollout in early 2018 after premiering in the on 29 October 2017. The series aired in the United States on starting 20 January 2018, with subsequent episodes broadcast weekly. In , it debuted on 2 January 2018, followed by on 19 February 2018 and on 4 March 2018. handled distribution to over 200 territories, including co-productions with partners in , , and , facilitating localized broadcasts and streaming. Viewership varied significantly by region, reflecting differences in market size, broadcasting slots, and cultural interest in programming. In , the series achieved extraordinary popularity, with the premiere episode drawing approximately 80 million concurrent streams, straining internet infrastructure, and accumulating over 24 million views in its first week on Tencent's platform, eventually exceeding 100 million total views. This surge was attributed to the program's high production values and Attenborough's , which resonated amid growing environmental . In contrast, U.S. audiences were more modest, with the premiere episode attracting 2.95 million viewers in a five-network on , including 1.15 million adults aged 25-54, though subsequent episodes saw declining figures around 3 million total. Analysts noted this underperformance relative to metrics stemmed from fragmented media landscapes, competition from domestic content, and less familiarity with Attenborough's style. In , it ranked as the highest-rated natural history series upon release, contributing to Worldwide's strong international performance for factual programming. Overall, the series bolstered global interest in ocean documentaries, with channels reporting sustained streaming demand in markets like and through 2018.

Ratings and Accessibility Metrics

In the , the premiere episode of Blue Planet II, broadcast on on 29 October , achieved an audience of 14.1 million viewers within seven days, including linear and catch-up viewing, marking it as the highest-rated program of . The linear broadcast peaked at 10.3 million viewers, representing a 41.4% share, with the remainder accessed via . Across the full seven-episode series and repeats, the program reached a total unique audience of 37.6 million individuals, equivalent to over 62% of the UK population. Internationally, viewership varied by market. In , the premiere episode reportedly drew approximately 80 million viewers, contributing to temporary internet disruptions from high demand. In the United States, the premiere on 14 January 2018 garnered 2.95 million total viewers and 1.15 million adults aged 25-54 across a multi-network . The series' global distribution through partnerships expanded its reach, though specific aggregate international figures beyond initial episodes remain limited in public data from broadcasters. Accessibility extended through broadcast and digital platforms, with BBC iPlayer enabling on-demand viewing that significantly boosted totals; for instance, catch-up accounted for nearly a third of the premiere's audience. Subsequent streaming availability on services such as HBO Max, , Apple TV, and discovery+ further broadened access, though quantitative metrics for post-broadcast streaming views are not comprehensively reported by platforms. The series included standard accessibility features like closed captions in English on select platforms, aligning with broadcaster requirements for media.

Content and Scientific Focus

Episode Structure and Key Narratives

Blue Planet II features seven episodes, each running approximately 58-60 minutes, structured to progressively explore diverse oceanic habitats through unprecedented underwater footage captured over 125 expeditions spanning 60 countries. The narrative arc emphasizes animal adaptations, cooperative behaviors, and survival challenges in extreme environments, narrated by to highlight evolutionary ingenuity and ecological interconnections without anthropomorphic framing. The first episode, "One Ocean," aired on 29 October 2017, portrays the global ocean's unity, showcasing migratory feats like humpback whales traveling 16,000 kilometers annually and dolphins employing coordinated techniques to corral fish schools, revealing sophisticated group hunting enabled by advanced acoustic tracking. Episode 2, "The Deep," broadcast on 5 November 2017, delves into abyssal zones below 1,000 meters, where bioluminescent displays and scavenging events—such as bluntnose sixgill sharks dismantling whale carcasses over weeks—illustrate life sustained by sparse organic falls amid pressures exceeding 1,000 atmospheres. "Coral Reefs," the third on 12 November 2017, examines shallow tropical ecosystems covering under 0.1% of the seafloor yet supporting 25% of marine species, featuring symbiotic relationships like servicing predators and grinding 5-6 tons of coral annually to produce white sand beaches. Episode 4, "," aired 19 November 2017, focuses on the pelagic zone's vast emptiness, where filter-feeders like whale sharks—reaching 12 meters—thrive on blooms, and high-speed pursuits by schools demonstrate endurance migrations covering thousands of kilometers. "Green Seas," the fifth installment on 26 November 2017, highlights nutrient upwellings driving seasonal productivity in temperate waters, narrating mass spawning events where billions of krill form swarms attracting blue whales consuming up to 4 tons daily, alongside seabird raids on fish shoals. Episode 6, "Coasts," transmitted 3 December 2017, chronicles intertidal dynamics shaped by tidal ranges up to 16 meters, depicting walrus herds navigating ice edges and godwits probing mudflats for invertebrates during low tides, underscoring rhythmic adaptations to land-sea interfaces. The finale, "Our Blue Planet," on 10 December 2017, synthesizes prior footage into a cohesive overview of ocean-scale phenomena, integrating long-term behaviors like pair bonds enduring decades with glimpses of undiscovered , reinforcing the theme of oceans as Earth's dominant yet understudied .

Highlighted Marine Discoveries

Blue Planet II showcased unprecedented footage of marine behaviors and ecological processes, leveraging advanced s and remotely operated vehicles to access previously unfilmed depths. In the "Green Seas" episode, the production team captured the first submersible dive into the squid spawning zone, revealing dense aggregations of squid engaging in mass spawning events at depths exceeding 300 meters off the coast of . This footage provided new visual evidence of synchronized reproductive strategies in species like the , highlighting vulnerabilities to environmental changes such as ocean warming. The series documented novel interspecies interactions, including humpback whales intervening in killer whale hunts on pinnipeds near the . Filmed over multiple expeditions, this behavior—observed in over 20 instances during production—depicted humpbacks using their massive flukes and breaches to disrupt orca predation, offering empirical insights into potential altruistic or competitive dynamics in waters, though the precise evolutionary drivers remain debated among marine biologists. Similarly, in the , bottlenose dolphins were recorded rubbing their bodies against specific coral species, a behavior interpreted as to alleviate skin parasites, with chemical analysis of the corals confirming bioactive compounds effective against common dolphin afflictions. Deep-sea scavenging processes received attention through the first filmed whalefall in the Atlantic Ocean, where a sperm whale carcass off the Azores was observed attracting bluntnose sixgill sharks and other scavengers in a multi-stage decomposition sequence spanning weeks. This event, tracked via baited camera traps at depths up to 1,000 meters, illustrated nutrient cycling from surface to abyssal zones, with bone-eating Osedax worms colonizing remains within months, underscoring the rarity of such observations prior to Blue Planet II's technological deployments. Additional highlights included tool-use by tuskfish on the Great Barrier Reef, where individuals repeatedly used coral anvils to crack bivalves, and sex-change sequences in tropical fish triggered by temperature rises, both filmed in situ to demonstrate adaptive reproductive strategies amid habitat pressures.

Integration of Environmental Themes

Blue Planet II integrates environmental themes by juxtaposing stunning depictions of marine biodiversity with evidence of human-induced threats, emphasizing causal links between anthropogenic activities and ecological degradation. The series illustrates plastic pollution's pervasive effects through footage of marine animals ingesting or becoming entangled in debris, such as a pod of pilot whales off the coast of where a mother whale carried her dead calf, later revealed to contain significant plastic in its stomach upon necropsy. This visual evidence is narrated by , who attributes the calf's death to ingested plastics mistaken for food, underscoring the scale of ocean contamination estimated at 150 million tons of plastic waste. Similarly, scenes of sea turtles entrapped in discarded fishing gear and chicks fed plastic by parents highlight ' entry into food chains, with Attenborough noting that such pollution stems from single-use items entering waterways via inadequate . Climate change themes are embedded via observations of habitat disruption, including coral bleaching events in the linked to rising sea temperatures, where episodes document mass die-offs of corals that support 25% of marine species. , caused by CO2 absorption elevating seawater acidity by 30% since the , is shown eroding shellfish shells and disrupting populations foundational to food webs. Attenborough's commentary frames these as direct consequences of emissions and , with polar sequences depicting shrinking —reduced by 13% per decade in the —compelling species like to undertake riskier hunts. and are addressed in segments on depleted , where industrial has halved global populations of large predatory fish since 1950, integrated as a cautionary on unsustainable exploitation. The seventh episode culminates these integrations in an explicit examination of humanity's footprint, blending archival data with contemporary footage to argue that oceans absorb 90% of excess heat and 30% of CO2 emissions, amplifying threats like intensified storms and species migration. Attenborough concludes with an appeal for behavioral and shifts, stating that "the is changing faster than ever before" due to cumulative pressures, though the series avoids prescriptive solutions in favor of empirical demonstration. This approach prioritizes causal realism by linking observable harms to verifiable drivers like emission rates (e.g., 36 billion tons of CO2 annually) and production (430 million tons in 2015), drawing from peer-reviewed datasets while critiquing short-term human priorities over long-term stability.

Music and Audio Elements

Original Score Composition

The original score for Blue Planet II was composed by in collaboration with Jacob Shea and David Fleming, members of , Zimmer's production company founded to support large-scale documentary scoring projects. Zimmer, who had previously scored the original Blue Planet series, led the effort to create an orchestral palette evoking oceanic vastness, with the team dividing episodes into scenes for targeted composition as footage arrived. This collaborative approach allowed for rapid iteration, incorporating natural sound inspirations like whale calls and wave patterns into thematic motifs such as the recurring "Family Theme" and "Surfing Dolphins." Recording took place in Vienna with a full symphony orchestra, emphasizing dynamic swells to mimic tidal movements and abyssal depths, a technique described as employing a "tidal orchestra" for immersive underwater habitats. Additional production involved Bleeding Fingers' resources for electronic layering and custom sound design, with creative producer Russell Emanuel overseeing integration. A notable element was an orchestral reimagining of Radiohead's "Bloom," co-produced by Zimmer and the band, which served as a promotional track and prequel cue to heighten emotional resonance with marine family behaviors. The resulting soundtrack album, released on October 30, 2017, by Silva Screen Records, features 19 cues totaling over 70 minutes, including standout tracks like opening and for aerial sequences. This score's emphasis on live instrumentation over synthesized elements distinguished it from more electronic-heavy film works, prioritizing acoustic fidelity to enhance the series' scientific narration without overpowering natural audio.

Sound Design Contributions

The sound design for Blue Planet II emphasized immersive underwater audio, drawing on field recordings supplemented by effects to represent otherwise inaudible marine interactions. Re-recording mixer Graham Wild, along with sound editors Kate Hopkins and Tim Owens, integrated these elements into a balanced that included , foley effects, , and , often mixed for 3D to enhance viewer immersion. Field recordings formed the foundation, with marine bioacoustics researcher Dr. Steve Simpson capturing sounds using directional hydrophones, such as the dawn chorus of singing fish on coral reefs and the shell-smashing of tuskfish (Choerodon graphicus) on the . These were creatively layered by editors to add dimensionality, particularly in episodes featuring vocalizations—including alarm calls—from sites. However, anthropogenic , like shipping traffic and , contaminated many recordings and was noted to disrupt marine communication ranges, reducing whale detectability from hundreds to under 10 kilometers in some cases. In quieter deep-sea sequences, where natural audio is minimal, the team employed artistic enhancements during tracklay, such as whooshing effects for propulsion or amplified grunts and clicks to depict activity, tuned to relevant frequencies for narrative focus. Innovations included the first complete recording of a humpback whale's (Megaptera novaeangliae) full cycle, captured via a suction-cup attached to the animal's back during filming. The production addressed silent underwater voids by avoiding intrusive artifacts like diver breathing while prioritizing story-driven acoustics over literal silence. Viewer feedback highlighted debates over effect volumes, with complaints that foley and music occasionally overwhelmed dialogue, prompting the BBC to verify mixes on standard televisions rather than professional monitors. James Honeyborne defended the approach, stating effects were "representative" of natural phenomena based on scientific input, though some critiques questioned their realism in a context.

Reception

Critical Acclaim for Production Quality

Critics universally praised Blue Planet II for its unprecedented , which captured marine behaviors in groundbreaking detail using advanced underwater rigs and submersibles. described the series as a "visually astonishing and riveting seven-part collection of images so surreal they almost feel like ," highlighting the innovative filming that revealed never-before-seen phenomena. Similarly, commended the "excellent footage shot on a circumglobal photo ," emphasizing the technical prowess in documenting elusive deep-sea events. Production quality earned formal recognition, including the 2018 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding for a Program, acknowledging the series' mastery of high-definition underwater imaging across over 500 dives and 7,000 hours of raw footage. Review aggregates reflected this acclaim, with reporting a 97% approval rating from 31 critics, who lauded the "hypnotic beauty" achieved through cutting-edge techniques like motion-controlled time-lapse rigs for deep-sea sequences. NPR's David Bianculli noted that scientists and filmmakers "capture images in unprecedented, truly breathtaking ways," underscoring the causal link between technological innovation—such as custom-built domes for split above-and-below-water shots—and the vivid portrayal of marine ecosystems. Underwater camerawork stood out for its endurance and precision, with cinematographers logging over 600 hours submerged to film micro-details like bioluminescent displays and predator-prey interactions, techniques that WIRED described as "ingenious" for overcoming challenges like low-light conditions and extreme pressures. IMDb user and critic consensus echoed this, rating the series 9.3/10 and praising "exceptional and groundbreaking footage" that revealed behaviors unattainable in prior documentaries. These elements collectively elevated Blue Planet II's production to a benchmark for , prioritizing empirical capture of real-time oceanic dynamics over stylized effects.

Audience Engagement and Metrics

The premiere episode of Blue Planet II, broadcast on BBC One on 29 October 2017, drew an average of 10.3 million live viewers in the UK, with consolidated figures reaching 14.1 million including seven-day catch-up viewing on . This made it the highest-rated program of the year in the UK, surpassing competitors like and marking the most-watched British TV show since records began in their current form. Subsequent episodes sustained strong performance, with the second installment attracting 13.97 million viewers. On , Blue Planet II achieved unprecedented on-demand engagement, becoming the platform's most-watched program of 2017 to date by December. This reflected broad appeal across demographics, including 2.3 million viewers aged 16-34 for the premiere. Internationally, the series premiered on on 21 January 2018, garnering 2.95 million total viewers and 1.15 million adults aged 25-54 across a five-network . While global viewership aggregates are not publicly detailed by the , the program's distribution in over 100 territories underscored its reach beyond the UK market.

Awards and Industry Recognition

Blue Planet II garnered significant industry acclaim, securing 11 awards from 13 nominations at major ceremonies, highlighting its technical and narrative excellence in documentary filmmaking. At the in 2018, the series won Outstanding Narrator for David Attenborough's performance, while receiving additional nominations for Outstanding Documentary or Series, Outstanding Cinematography for a Program, Outstanding Sound Editing for a Program, and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Program. The in 2018 recognized the production with wins for Sound: Factual (Graham Wild, Tim Owens, and Kate Hopkins) and Photography: Factual (for the "One Ocean" episode), alongside nominations for Editing: Factual and other categories. At the main BAFTA Television Awards in 2018, Blue Planet II claimed Virgin TV's Must-See Moment for the "One Ocean" episode's depiction of a carrying her deceased calf, an image linked to discussions, though it was nominated but did not win in Specialist Factual. Further honors included the Royal Television Society West of England Award for Sound in 2018 and seven nominations at the Wildscreen Festival Panda Awards, often termed the "wildlife Oscars," underscoring its contributions to natural history programming.
Award CeremonyCategoryRecipientYearOutcome
Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding NarratorDavid Attenborough2018Won
BAFTA Television Craft AwardsSound: FactualGraham Wild, Tim Owens, Kate Hopkins2018Won
BAFTA Television Craft AwardsPhotography: Factual ("One Ocean")Roger Munns et al.2018Won
BAFTA Television AwardsVirgin TV's Must-See MomentBlue Planet II ("One Ocean")2018Won
RTS West of England AwardsSoundProduction team2018Won

Controversies and Criticisms

Allegations of Staged or Lab-Based Footage

Producers of Blue Planet II admitted in October 2017 that certain scenes featuring deep-sea creatures, such as the fangtooth fish, were filmed in controlled laboratory environments or aquaria using captive specimens, rather than in the open ocean, though the program did not disclose this distinction to viewers during broadcast. Series producer James Honeyborne confirmed that such footage was obtained from research institutions to capture behaviors impossible to film in the wild due to technological limitations, emphasizing that the sequences accurately represented natural occurrences without alteration. David Attenborough defended the practice, stating that captive animal footage remained "totally true to nature" and served educational purposes, drawing parallels to prior BBC controversies like Frozen Planet (2011), where zoo-filmed polar bear cubs were integrated without initial disclosure. Critics argued this approach misled audiences into believing all visuals derived from wild observations, potentially undermining the documentary's authenticity claims, though the BBC maintained no behaviors were fabricated or CGI-enhanced. A separate allegation arose in December 2017 regarding a segment in episode 7, where producers deliberately released approximately 1,000 rubber ducks into the sea off to simulate accumulation, a setup not clarified as artificial during the episode's airing. The scene aimed to illustrate the scale of marine litter—drawing on real data that an estimated 7,000 such toys from a cargo spill continue washing ashore—but detractors, including environmental commentators, contended the orchestration exaggerated immediate impacts for dramatic effect, eroding trust in the series' observational integrity. executives responded that the ducks were collected post-filming to minimize ecological harm and that the demonstration mirrored verified patterns, prioritizing viewer comprehension over strict wild replication. Additional scrutiny targeted the episode 3 sequence of an pod interacting with a mother and calf, with some marine biologists questioning whether the depicted "attack" and subsequent mourning behaviors aligned precisely with rare observed events, labeling it potentially overstated for narrative impact. However, footage derived from aerial and underwater cameras deployed in the wild off , , and producers cited corroborating scientific records of such predation, rejecting claims of staging while acknowledging editorial choices to highlight ecological pressures. These incidents reflect broader debates on ethical boundaries in wildlife filmmaking, where logistical necessities intersect with demands for unmediated realism, but no evidence emerged of systemic deception or invented events in Blue Planet II.

Debates on Environmental Alarmism and Accuracy

The portrayal of in Blue Planet II, particularly in episode seven, drew criticism for implying direct causal links between and specific animal deaths without conclusive evidence. The British Plastics Federation condemned the series for juxtaposing footage of a deceased baby with images of ingested plastics, asserting that the necropsy conducted by Spain's Instituto Español de Oceanografía on January 13, 2017, determined the cause of death as blunt force trauma from a probable vessel collision, with plastics present in the stomach but not identified as the primary factor. Industry representatives argued this visual association fostered undue alarmism, potentially misleading viewers on the immediacy of plastic-related mortality in cetaceans. Author and science writer critiqued the documentary's narration on , claiming it overstated risks to by suggesting widespread dissolution of shells, contrary to empirical data showing pH changes primarily affect early developmental stages rather than adult structures en masse. , identifying as a "lukewarmer" on issues, maintained that while anthropogenic CO2 influences chemistry, the series' phrasing implied more catastrophic outcomes than supported by and field studies on resilience. Defenders, including researchers from the Grantham Research Institute, countered that Ridley's analysis selectively interpreted footage, such as behaviors, and ignored broader evidence of acidification's sublethal effects on marine ecosystems. Narrator Sir himself expressed reservations about environmental alarmism in documentaries, stating in a 2018 interview that excessive scaremongering risks desensitizing audiences and undermining credibility, though he praised Blue Planet II's restrained approach to plastics—limited to brief mentions—which spurred public action without overstatement. Attenborough emphasized factual subtlety over hype, noting that prior series like Blue Planet avoided heavy messaging to maintain viewer trust, a stance reflecting causal realism in communication where exaggerated immediacy could erode long-term behavioral change. These debates highlight tensions between dramatic for engagement and precise attribution of environmental , with critics from industry and skeptical commentators questioning selective emphasis amid acknowledged genuine threats like macroplastic entanglement, which peer-reviewed estimates link to thousands of annual marine mammal deaths globally but not universally as the in depicted cases.

Broader Critiques of Narrative Framing

Critics of nature documentaries, including Blue Planet II, contend that the series frames marine ecosystems as largely pristine and self-regulating paradises, with human impacts introduced primarily as recent disruptions, thereby establishing an unrealistic baseline for viewer expectations. This narrative approach, common in BBC Natural History Unit productions, portrays vast expanses of teeming with undisturbed life, despite historical evidence of extensive human exploitation such as and dating back centuries, which has already profoundly altered global marine populations and distributions. A 2021 analysis highlighted how such depictions mislead audiences into underestimating the ubiquity of degraded habitats, as footage prioritizes visually spectacular, seemingly untouched scenes over the degraded realities that dominate most today. The series' storytelling relies heavily on individualized animal "protagonists" and emotive narration by David Attenborough, framing behaviors through anthropomorphic lenses that ascribe human-like motivations, struggles, and triumphs to non-human subjects. This technique, enhanced by swelling orchestral scores and slow-motion cinematography, constructs dramatic arcs akin to fiction, potentially biasing perceptions toward viewing nature as a moral drama rather than a complex, amoral system governed by predation, competition, and stochastic events. Attenborough has acknowledged the pitfalls of this method, warning that "unjustifiable anthropomorphism is the danger" in wildlife narration, as it risks projecting human ethics onto indifferent biological processes. Such framing has drawn commentary for evoking undue sentimentality, as seen in critiques of clichéd "shock effects" like sudden predator attacks or isolated tragedies, which prioritize emotional engagement over dispassionate ecological explanation. Furthermore, the selective emphasis on visually arresting, rare phenomena—such as bioluminescent displays or deep-sea migrations—while underrepresenting commonplace degradations like widespread habitat fragmentation, reinforces a narrative of exceptional wonder under threat, sidelining broader causal factors like evolutionary adaptations or natural variability. Research on wildlife film portrayals indicates that even when threats are mentioned, visual framing often segregates "pristine" nature from human elements, fostering a dualistic view that exaggerates the novelty of anthropogenic influences. This approach, while effective for audience retention—Blue Planet II averaged 14.1 million UK viewers per episode in 2017—has been faulted for subtly conditioning public discourse toward conservation narratives that prioritize spectacle over systemic analysis.

Impact and Legacy

Policy and Behavioral Influences

The airing of Blue Planet II's episode on in 2017 coincided with a surge in in , often termed the "Blue Planet II effect," as evidenced by spikes in trends and media coverage dedicated to ocean s. Surveys indicated that 88% of viewers self-reported changes in behavior, such as reducing single-use consumption or switching to reusable alternatives, following the series. However, empirical assessments, including controlled experiments, found no significant shift in actual or disposal preferences attributable to the documentary, with participants showing heightened but unchanged choices in simulated scenarios. Researchers attribute potential discrepancies between self-reports and observed behaviors to , where respondents overstate pro-environmental actions amid heightened salience of the issue, rather than sustained causal shifts in habits. Longitudinal data from viewer panels post-broadcast revealed increased knowledge of plastic impacts on but no measurable reductions in household waste generation, suggesting the series amplified concern without reliably altering consumption patterns at scale. On policy fronts, UK Prime Minister explicitly referenced Blue Planet II in a January 2018 speech announcing a "plastic-free Britain" ambition, framing it as a catalyst for national action on waste. This contributed to subsequent measures, including the UK's 2018 Resources and Waste Strategy, which targeted a 50% reduction in avoidable plastic waste by 2030, and the introduction of a plastic packaging tax in 2022 on items with less than 30% recycled content. Internationally, the series was invoked in advocacy for the UN's 2019 push toward a global plastics , though direct causal links to enacted legislation remain correlative, with pre-existing trends in environmental regulation amplified by public pressure rather than originating from the broadcast alone. Critics note that while policy rhetoric leaned on the documentary's visuals of entangled , implementation challenges—such as reliance on voluntary corporate pledges—have yielded limited verifiable reductions in ocean plastic inflows.

Scientific and Educational Contributions

Blue Planet II advanced marine science through innovative filming technologies that enabled capture of previously unobserved deep-sea behaviors, such as the hunting tactics of using low-light sensitive cameras designed to minimize disturbance to natural activity. These techniques, including bioluminescent lures mimicking to attract predators, built on methods pioneered by Edith Widder and revealed dynamic interactions in the ocean's midnight zone. The series documented rare events, including the first high-resolution footage of jumbo squid predation and surfing behaviors in massive swells, providing visual data that supplemented field observations. Filmmakers collaborated with researchers, featuring deep-ocean experts like Dr. Samantha Joye, whose work on seafloor ecosystems informed segments on microbial mats and chemosynthetic communities, contributing empirical insights into abyssal food webs. analysis from the series spurred at least 13 peer-reviewed scientific papers on newly filmed phenomena, including displays and predator-prey dynamics, enhancing datasets for oceanographic models. These outputs underscored technological synergies between documentary production and research, with low-light advancements amplifying visibility of that traditional methods obscured. Educationally, Blue Planet II stimulated heightened interest in , correlating with a surge in university course enrollments attributed to the "Blue Planet effect," as prospective students cited the series' vivid depictions of ocean biodiversity as motivational. The program integrated scientific narration with accessible explanations of ecological processes, fostering public understanding of phenomena like coral symbiosis and deep-sea adaptation, which aligned with curricula in . By showcasing verifiable field data over speculation, it served as a resource for , prompting discussions on conservation grounded in observed causal links between habitat disruption and decline, though impacts were amplified more by visual than novel hypotheses.

Cultural Reach and Long-Term Evaluation

Blue Planet II achieved widespread cultural penetration in the , where its premiere episode on October 29, 2017, drew 14.1 million viewers, marking the highest audience for any program that year and establishing it as a national event that dominated public discourse on and environmental threats. The series' vivid depictions of ecosystems, including plastic pollution's toll on , permeated everyday conversations, inspiring actions such as beach cleanups and school initiatives focused on reducing single-use s, an effect dubbed the " effect" by observers. Globally, it reached over 37 million viewers in the alone across episodes, with significant traction in where it became one of the most-watched foreign documentaries, though it garnered less mainstream attention in the United States compared to its phenomenon status. In broader media and societal spheres, the series influenced and public engagement, prompting the to launch "Plastics Watch," a initiative tracking efforts, and sparking references in outlets ranging from academic analyses of documentary music's role in evoking nature's sublime to discussions on consumer behavior shifts. Memorable sequences, such as a attempting to eat or ambushing seabirds, became in environmental and media critiques, embedding the series in cultural narratives about human-ocean interactions without direct parodies but through echoed themes in subsequent wildlife programming. Its narrative framing, narrated by , elevated to popular fascination, with episodes like the finale explicitly linking viewer emotions to calls for action, fostering a template for emotive environmental storytelling in television. Long-term evaluations position Blue Planet II as a benchmark for nature documentaries, lauded for its technical innovations—like deep-sea submersible footage—and for catalyzing measurable attitude changes, with 2019 surveys indicating it prompted 78% of UK viewers to reduce use and heightened media agenda-setting on . By 2020, empirical studies confirmed its role in elevating public awareness and behaviors around marine s, though researchers noted potential limitations in sustaining long-term policy-driven reductions without complementary interventions. Critics and scholars continue to assess it as a pinnacle of the genre for blending spectacle with substantive messaging, influencing follow-up series like Blue Planet II's own spin-offs and reinforcing Attenborough's oeuvre as a cultural touchstone for intergenerational environmental reflection, albeit with ongoing debates over its balance of wonder and warning.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6769208/
  2. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04tjbtx
  3. https://www.bbcearth.com/shows/blue-planet-ii
  4. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/blue-planet-ii-review-1076161/
  5. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42641146
  6. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/nov/06/blue-planet-ii-years-most-watched-tv-show-david-attenborough
  7. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6769208/awards/
  8. https://www.televisionacademy.com/shows/blue-planet-ii
  9. https://old.xray-mag.com/content/blue-planet-ii-wins-ntas-impact-award
  10. https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/csp2.280
  11. https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/88-blue-planet-2-changed-david-attenborough/
  12. https://www.televisual.com/news/blue-planet-ii-how-we-made-it_bid-1001/
  13. https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-41692370
  14. https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/documentaries/david-attenborough-returns-to-the-oceans-with-blue-planet-ii/
  15. https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/planet-earth-blue-planet-2-cameras-amc-bbc-america-1201918989/
  16. https://www.roger-munns.com/working-as-a-blue-planet-2-underwater-cameraman/
  17. https://www.wired.com/story/blue-planet-2-technology-david-attenborough/
  18. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2lrTgsZzqZnfQNMfZtFV8y1/filming-micro-detail-in-the-deep
  19. https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/blue-planet-ii/biogs
  20. https://www.zubludiving.com/articles/zublu-insights/filming-the-blue-planet-ii-interview-with-cameraman-roger-munns
  21. http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/editorialguidelines/pdfs/natural-world.pdf
  22. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/23/captive-wildlife-footage-blue-planet-2-bbc1-totally-true-to-nature-say-producers
  23. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5007471/Sir-David-Attenborough-91-says-NO-plans-retire.html
  24. https://www.the-independent.com/news/media/tv-radio/blue-planet-2-bbc-accused-of-misleading-viewers-by-planting-hundreds-plastic-ducks-a8089731.html
  25. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S235198942100531X
  26. https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/documentaries/blue-planet-2-release-date-filming-david-attenborough/
  27. https://epguides.com/BluePlanetII/
  28. https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-41802056
  29. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/29/blue-planet-ii-chosen-by-tv-critics-as-best-show-of-2017
  30. https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2017/12/11/blue-planet-ii-becomes-most-watched-bbc-iplayer-show-of-2017/
  31. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6769208/releaseinfo/
  32. https://deadline.com/2017/11/blue-planet-ii-100-million-views-china-european-film-awards-loveless-1202207673/
  33. https://slate.com/technology/2018/03/why-didnt-america-care-about-blue-planet-ii.html
  34. https://www.amcnetworks.com/press-releases/nearly-3-million-gather-together-for-the-planet-earth-blue-planet-ii-premiere/
  35. https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/worldwide/2018/bbc-worldwide-reveals-top-rating-shows
  36. https://blueantmedia.com/2017/12/bbc-earth-to-premiere-the-worldwide-phenomenon-planet-earth-blue-planet-ii-in-early-2018/
  37. https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/bbc-blue-planet-ratings-splash-david-attenborough-1202607834/
  38. https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2018/plastics-watch
  39. https://www.hbomax.com/shows/blue-planet-ii/0bca3924-91c6-48d4-9cbe-9001a08d8bd3
  40. https://www.hulu.com/series/blue-planet-ii-9fb103b3-1498-41ab-bbc3-ee7a62261ca9
  41. https://tv.apple.com/us/show/blue-planet-ii/umc.cmc.1efguxdlct93ktmovj5ilo71g
  42. https://deeply.thenewhumanitarian.org/oceans/articles/2018/01/24/inside-the-blue-planet-ii-dive-into-the-deep-sea.html
  43. https://oceanconservancy.org/blog/2018/02/27/blue-planet-ii-recap-coasts/
  44. https://www.loveexploring.com/gallerylist/69517/underwater-world-the-amazing-tech-behind-blue-planet-ii
  45. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09f8vtb
  46. https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/aboutthebbc/entries/dbd53a31-8299-4cb8-a04d-924278e4f713
  47. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1xdqLPXPkjr0nxcwBmqqmWc/filming-self-medicating-dolphins
  48. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4VnhvdmDjtF4qt5Jvr26t4l/first-whalefall-study-in-the-deep-atlantic
  49. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1nfX6qBR3CZktzZJdjnmpdg/capturing-the-worlds-bleaching-corals
  50. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2gCkNYpCZVSZTpr5tsqlfjn/filming-fish-that-change-sex
  51. https://www.sciencefocus.com/nature/has-blue-planet-ii-had-an-impact-on-plastic-pollution
  52. https://www.wired.com/story/david-attenborough-climate-crisis/
  53. https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/david-attenborough-blue-planet-ii-litter-ocean/
  54. https://www.biology.ox.ac.uk/article/evaluating-the-impact-of-blue-planet-ii-on-viewers-plastic-consumption-behaviours
  55. https://rapidtransition.org/stories/the-attenborough-effect-and-the-downfall-of-plastics/
  56. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2024-01-10/nature-environment-documentaries-attenborough-protect-planet/101428420
  57. https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/205253/blue-planet-ii-have-caused-change/
  58. https://www.unisort.co.uk/why-blue-planet-ii-was-so-effective-and-what-it-means-for-you/
  59. https://audiomediainternational.com/blue-planet-ii-creating-an-epic-soundtrack-with-hans-zimmer-and-radiohead/
  60. https://www.prsformusic.com/m-magazine/features/wrote-blue-planet-ii-jacob-shea-david-fleming
  61. https://www.silvascreen.com/silcd1560-blue-planet-ii/
  62. https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/documentaries/blue-planet-2-soundtrack/
  63. https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/blue-planet-ii/zimmer/
  64. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3bve7T-phg
  65. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6769208/fullcredits/
  66. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/34j4WPCGZnFJvj2Xq9NGK7M/creating-an-underwater-soundscape
  67. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/29MzQ4DX205F3M3cBPs50d2/recording-sound-in-a-not-so-silent-world
  68. https://www.production-expert.com/home-page/2017/11/21/bbc-blue-planet-2-latest-show-in-firing-line-for-sound-issues-are-they-right
  69. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/nov/21/blue-planet-2-edited-on-tv-set-sound-complaints-bbc-david-attenborough
  70. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5103487/Blue-Planet-II-defends-underwater-sound-effects.html
  71. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/02/12/blue-planet-ii-reviewed-the-ocean-continues-to-impress
  72. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/blue_planet_ii/s01
  73. https://www.npr.org/2018/02/23/588247412/blue-planet-ii-celebrates-the-beauty-of-nature-across-the-globe
  74. https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/blue-planet-ii-and-strictly-come-dancing-dominate-ratings-war-as-bbc-bags-biggest-audiences/
  75. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=052yonJWDyI
  76. https://www.roger-munns.com/bafta-award-photography-blue-planet-ii/
  77. https://www.bafta.org/media-centre/press-releases/blue-planet-ii-mother-pilot-whale-grieves-winners-acceptance-speech-virgin-tvs-must-see-moment-virgin-tv-british-academy-television-awards-in-2018/
  78. https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/documentaries/fans-enraged-by-blue-planet-iis-bafta-loss/
  79. https://woundedbuffalo.co.uk/projects/blue-planet-ii/
  80. https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/documentaries/blue-planet-ii-judi-dench-nominated-wildscreen-panda-awards/
  81. https://www.pressreader.com/uk/scottish-daily-mail/20171024/282119226786943
  82. https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/99511739/parts-of-blue-planet-ii-were-shot-in-laboratories
  83. https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/current-affairs/did-blue-planet-ii-mislead-audiences-with-this-staged-footage/news-story/7bbf677364da38b74fcf353aeece32e6
  84. https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/99085994/blue-planet-iis-heartbreaking-scenes-called-out-as-fake-news-by-scientist
  85. https://www.bpf.co.uk/article/british-plastics-federation-responds-to-blue-planet-2-episode-1241.aspx
  86. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5109475/Plastic-didn-t-kill-Blue-Planet-whale-plastics-industry.html
  87. https://interplasinsights.com/plastics-industry-news/british-plastics-federation-condemns-bbc-blue-planet-ii-dead/
  88. https://www.mattridley.co.uk/blog/the-blue-planet-on-acid/
  89. https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/news/bogus-lukewarmer-attack-blue-planet-ii/
  90. https://www.sciencealert.com/david-attenborough-warns-against-environmental-alarmism-creates-heated-discussion
  91. https://fee.org/articles/david-attenborough-doesn-t-want-climate-alarmism-in-his-documentaries-and-that-s-ok/
  92. https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/04/problem-nature-documentaries/618553/
  93. https://www.bangor.ac.uk/news/latest/do-nature-shows-deceive-us-into-thinking-our-planet-is-fine-41675
  94. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2018/11/04/david-attenborough-interview-dont-want-anthropomorphise/
  95. https://www.popmatters.com/blue-planet-ii-bbc-earth-2546189000.html
  96. https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/nature-documentaries-increasingly-talk-threats-nature-still-dont-show/
  97. https://www.ukri.org/who-we-are/how-we-are-doing/research-outcomes-and-impact/the-plastics-paradox/
  98. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHIswa0FpVg
  99. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wtslaqmGgM
  100. https://education.gulfresearchinitiative.org/bbcs-planet-earth-blue-planet-ii-features-deep-ocean-research-and-scientists-2/
  101. https://www.originaldiving.com/blog/behind-the-scenes-of-blue-planet-ii
  102. https://ecoevocommunity.nature.com/posts/22389-the-deep-on-blue-planet-ii
  103. https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/jan/12/blue-planet-effect-why-marine-biology-courses-booming
  104. https://research.open.ac.uk/news/blue-planet-academic-consultants-message-humanity-cannot-afford-ignore
  105. https://www.iconeye.com/design/blue-planet-bbc-ocean-plastic-crisis-changed-world
  106. https://www.rma.ac.uk/2018/08/01/blue-planet-ii-music-culture-and-nature/
  107. https://mashable.com/article/10-top-moments-blue-planet-ii
  108. https://mashable.com/article/blue-planet-ii-finale
  109. https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/01/blue-planet-ii-is-the-greatest-nature-series-of-all-time/550583/
  110. https://www.ipsos.com/en-uk/new-research-reveals-power-blue-planet-ii-and-how-its-changed-attitudes-and-behaviour
  111. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/25/plastics-revolution-marine-life
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.