Blue Planet III to explore darkest ocean depths, BBC says

The BBC has announced Blue Planet III, a six-part series exploring the darkest depths of the world's oceans. The broadcaster said the series is produced by the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol and will air later this autumn. According to the BBC, filming took almost four years and the series comes around 25 years after the first Blue Planet premiered.

Sir David Attenborough narrates the series, and the BBC reported that he turned 100 earlier this year. At a launch event on Tuesday, Attenborough said: "When I narrated the first Blue Planet series, it didn't occur to me that I would be narrating a third series in my centennial year." In a newly released extended trailer, he promised to "venture even further" than ever before and said the series would uncover life "more surprising, more intelligent, and even more precious than we ever realised". He said he was "proud and delighted" to be associated with the project.

According to the BBC, the production used remote underwater cameras, drones and manned submersibles — small crewed underwater vessels — to capture newly discovered animal behaviours. The series shows environments ranging from coral reefs and tropical islands to the darkest depths of the ocean. The BBC said it examines the habitats and behaviours of animals including humpback whales, dolphins and bioluminescent deep-sea creatures, which produce their own light.

The series is accompanied by an original score from Hans Zimmer and Bleeding Fingers Music. Zimmer, who also scored Blue Planet II, said the series was the "most important work" he has ever done. He said: "I think everybody who comes to Blue Planet comes to it with the knowledge that it is something that changes the world by making you fall in love."

The BBC reported that the series also features an original song, Into The Deep (Seas Cry), co-written by Jade Thirlwall, best known as a member of the pop group Little Mix. Thirlwall described herself as a "huge fan" of the franchise and called Attenborough "a true hero". She said being part of Blue Planet III "feels incredibly special and a real privilege".

The BBC reported that the premiere launch event took place at Piccadilly Circus in London on Tuesday. The venue's digital displays showed footage from the new series.