BBC Studios Natural History Unit (NHU) is the best-known and most loved producer of natural history content in the world, responsible for some of the most globally successful factual content of the past 10 years.
With ground-breaking technology and innovation we reveal to audiences around the world the extraordinary wonders of nature through excepti onal storytelling, jaw dropping imagery and cutting-edge science.
Founded in 1957, the NHU’s programmes have come to represent the gold standard for natural history filmmaking, winning multiple awards and honours. Our BBC output includes everything from breath-taking landmarks (Frozen Planet II; The Green Planet; Seven Worlds, One Planet; Dynasties II; Blue Planet II; Planet Earth II), to returning series and technically challenging live shows (Springwatch; Blue Planet Live) and award-winning children’s series (Andy’s Safari Adventures).
With an increasingly diverse portfolio of content, including Prehistoric Planet - the ground-breaking AppleTV+ Original series bringing ancient Earth’s habitats and inhabitants to life like never before, we now produce programmes for broadcasters and platforms all over the world. Current titles in production include Planet Earth III for BBC, The Americas for NBCU, and Ocean Xplorers (WT), a co-production with OceanX Media and James Cameron, for National Geographic Disney+.
Programmes made by the NHU denote quality, innovation, craftmanship and world-class storytelling....
HEAD OF NHU
Jonny Keeling took up the position of Head of the NHU in January 2022. Previously, Jonny had worked at the BBC for 25 years producing and directing wildlife and adventure documentaries. During this time, he produced some of the Unit’s most successful content, including BAFTA and Emmy award winning series like Seven Worlds, One Planet, Planet Earth and Planet Earth II, and headed the Children’s unit within the NHU. In his new role, Jonny oversees all content produced by the NHU, in particular the BBC’s latest landmark wildlife series, Planet Earth III and the recently announced Asia. ...
HEAD OF PRODUCTION, NHU
As Head of Production at BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit, Maria oversees the logistical & operational execution of some of the most ambitious wildlife storytelling in the world. With a career spanning over 25 years in factual and natural history filmmaking, Maria is part of the senior team that leads large-scale productions from conception to global distribution, ensuring the highest standards of editorial integrity, innovation, and sustainability. ...
CREATIVE DIRECTOR, NHU
Central to maintaining the NHU’s position as the world’s number one natural history production company, Mike has a global reputation for story telling excellence and innovation. He has developed and produced many award-winning and critically acclaimed series: Galapagos, Yellowstone, Madagascar, Life, Africa, Shark, Attenborough and the Giant Dinosaur, Life Story, Planet Earth II, Dynasties and The Green Planet. Mike is a fellow of the Royal Television Society. ...