Alien Nation
In March 2013, BBC Four will supersize the insect world in an ambitious new season - Alien Nation. The season features six programmes which will cast a light on this miniature realm in a unique and unprecedented way.
Published: 20 February 2013
Wreaking havoc with our courage and using cutting-edge filming technology, BBC Four is breaking out of the usual two-dimensional take on bugs and really finding how insects work, how they live and how this alien nation might ultimately be the true lords of the universe.”
The ambitious documentary Planet Ant: Life Inside The Colony will unearth the natural home of the Leafcutter ant in the biggest manufactured colony in Europe; Insect Dissection: How Insects Work will reveal the anatomies of insects via dissection coupled with cutting edge imaging technology; Can Eating Insects Save the World? will explore whether insect cuisine could be the key to our future; and The Incredible Story of the Monarch Butterfly: Four Wings and a Prayer focuses on the miraculous migration of the mysterious and beautiful Monarch butterfly.
Also featured in the season are Metamorphosis - The Science Of Change which investigates nature’s ultimate evolutionary magic trick, the amazing transformation of one living creature into a totally different animal and Edwardian Insects On Film recalls how Edwardian natural historian Percy Smith came up with an innovative way of filming insects doing remarkable things.
Richard Klein, Controller of BBC Four says: “Come and get better acquainted, or alienated, with some ancestors of ours…insects. BBC Four is bravely going where most people actively avoid by getting up close and personal with insects of all shapes and sizes. Wreaking havoc with our courage and using cutting-edge filming technology, BBC Four is breaking out of the usual two-dimensional take on bugs and really finding how insects work, how they live and how this alien nation might ultimately be the true lords of the universe.”
Production credits
Planet Ant: Life Inside The Colony (1x90) was made by BBC Scotland in co-production with the Science Channel. The Executive Producer for BBC Scotland is Marcus Herbert and commissioned by Richard Klein and Kim Shillinglaw.
Insect Dissection (1x60) was made by BBC Scotland and was commissioned by Richard Klein and Kim Shillinglaw. The Executive Producer for BBC Scotland is Marcus Herbert.
Can Eating Insects Save The World? (1x60) was commissioned by Richard Klein and Kim Shillinglaw. The Producer and Director is Kari Lia for Plum Pictures and Clare Peterson is the Executive Producer for the BBC.
The Incredible Story Of The Monarch Butterfly: Four Wings And A Prayer (1x60) is a A Primitive Entertainment and Films à Trois Production in co-Production with The National Film Board of Canada. The Executive Producers are Michael McMahon and Emmanuel Laurent and the Executive Producer for the BBC is Carol Sennett.
Metamorphosis: The Science Of Change (1x60) was made by BBC Scotland and was commissioned by Richard Klein and Kim Shillinglaw. The Executive Producer is Marcus Herbert for BBC Scotland.
Edwardian Insects On Film (1x60) was commissioned by Richard Klein and Mark Bell. The Executive Producer is Emma Morgan for Mentorn Media and Cassian Harrison is Commissioning Executive for the BBC.
Insect Worlds (3 x 30mins) were made by BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol and commissioned by Richard Klein and BBC Learning. The Executive producer is Roger Webb and the Series Producer is Doug Hope.
BBC Learning
BBC Learning plays a central part in meeting the BBC's purpose of promoting education and learning. Utilising the power of the BBC’s big brands and key talent the department puts learning at the heart of the BBC and provides a variety of resources and learning opportunities for children, teachers, parents and adult learners. Working with partners and in local communities, BBC Learning aims to stimulate interests and encourage engagement through a variety of campaigns across all BBC genres and platforms.
Notes to editors
Programme titles and TX schedule are subject to change.
