Prehistoric Planet Explained

Genre:Nature documentary
Composer:Hans Zimmer
Anže Rozman
Kara Talve
Theme Music Composer:Hans Zimmer
Andrew James Christie
Narrated:Sir David Attenborough
Country:United States
United Kingdom
Language:English
Num Seasons:2
Num Episodes:10
Executive Producer:Jon Favreau
Mike Gunton
Runtime:37–46 minutes
Company:BBC Studios Natural History Unit
Golem Creations
Moving Picture Company (visual effects, CGI)
Network:Apple TV+
Last Aired:present

Prehistoric Planet is a British–American nature documentary television series about dinosaurs, that premiered on Apple TV+ beginning May 23, 2022. It is produced by the BBC Studios Natural History Unit, with Jon Favreau as showrunner, visual effects by MPC, and narration by natural historian Sir David Attenborough.[1] The documentary follows dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals recreated with computer-generated imagery, living around the globe in the Late Cretaceous period 66 million years ago (Maastrichtian), just before the non-avian dinosaurs' extinction. It set out to depict prehistoric life using current palaeontological research by including accurately feathered dinosaurs, and speculative animal behaviour.[2]

Hans Zimmer, Kara Talve, and Anže Rozman composed the soundtrack. It is the first major dinosaur-focused documentary series produced by the BBC since Planet Dinosaur in 2011, and the third overall (the first was Walking with Dinosaurs in 1999, produced by the BBC Studios Science Unit).[3] [4] [5] Prehistoric Planet received critical acclaim for its visual effects, depiction of dinosaurs, and Attenborough's narration.

Premise

A documentary that follows dinosaurs recreated with computer-generated imagery living around the globe in the Late Cretaceous period, 66 million years ago. It set out to depict dinosaurs using current palaeontological research such as feathered dinosaurs.

Production

According to palaeontologist and consultant Steve Brusatte, the series had been in development "a decade" prior to its trailer release.[6] On May 8, 2019, it was first reported by Deadline that Apple had ordered a new documentary series by BBC Studios titled Prehistoric Planet, to be executively produced by Jon Favreau.[7] An original score was composed by Kara Talve, Anže Rozman and Hans Zimmer.[8]

The series uses up-to-date palaeontological research to depict its animals of the Cretaceous with scientific rigour; for example, feathered dinosaurs are featured in the series, such as juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex. Palaeozoologist Darren Naish was the lead consultant for the depictions of prehistoric life in the series.[9] The concept art and creature design was created by Jellyfish Pictures,[10] while computer-generated imagery was developed by MPC and intended to be photorealistic, as with their previous productions The Jungle Book (2016) and The Lion King (2019).

After its release, the series consultants other than Darren Naish were revealed to be Steve Brusatte, Alexander Farnsworth, Kiersten Formoso, Michael Habib, Scott Hartman, John R. Hutchinson, Luke Muscutt, Peter Skelton, Robert Spicer, Paul Valdes and Mark Witton.[11] David Krentz, the director of Dinosaur Revolution and character designer on Disney's Dinosaur, was also revealed to have been involved in the creature development and design.[12]

In March 2023, Apple renewed the series for a second season, which began airing on 22 May 2023.[13] A spin-off, called Prehistoric Planet Immersive which features Apple Vision Pro, began airing on 2 February 2024.

Marketing

A first sneak peek was posted to the official Apple TV+ YouTube channel on April 2, 2022, along with a trailer, with a May 23 airdate set for the first episode.[14] A ten-second teaser was released on April 19, 2022, followed by an official trailer the following day.[15] A second trailer was released on May 19, 2022, in the lead up to the show's premiere.[16]

The teaser of the second season was uploaded to the official Apple TV+ YouTube channel on April 18, 2023.[17] The official trailer was released on May 2, 2023.[18]

Episodes

Immersive (2024)

Reception

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating with an average rating of 8.4/10, based on 31 reviews for the first season. The website's critics consensus reads, "Marrying state of the art visual effects with equally immersive narration by David Attenborough, Prehistoric Planet wondrously brings viewers back to the age of dinosaurs."[19] The second season has an approval rating of 83% with an average rating of 7/10, based on 6 reviews.[20] On Metacritic, the series has a weighted average score of 85 out of 100, based on 8 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[21]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)Result
Hollywood Critics Association TV AwardsBest Streaming Docuseries or Non-Fiction SeriesPrehistoric Planet[22]
Television Critics Association AwardsOutstanding Achievement in News and Information[23] [24]
Cinema Eye HonoursOutstanding Anthology Series[25]
Hollywood Music in Media AwardsOriginal Song/Score — Documentary Series - TV/DigitalAnze Rozman, Kara Talve, Hans Zimmer[26] [27]
Televisual Bulldog AwardsBest VFXPrehistoric Planet[28]
Broadcast Tech Innovation AwardsBest VFX ProjectMPC[29]
Annie AwardsBest Animated Special ProductionPrehistoric Planet[30]
Outstanding Achievement for Animated Effects in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production"Coasts"
Visual Effects Society AwardsOutstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode"Ice Worlds" – Lindsay McFarlane, Fay Hancocks, Elliot Newman, Kirstin Hall[31] [32]
Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in a CG ProjectDaniel Fotheringham, Krzysztof Szczepanski, Wei-Chuan Hsu, Claire Hill
Critics' Choice Real TV AwardsBest Animal/Nature ShowPrehistoric Planet[33]
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Music Composition for a Documentary Series or Special (Original Dramatic Score)Hans Zimmer, Anže Rozman, Kara Talve [34]
Astra Creative Arts TV AwardsBest Streaming Nonfiction SeriesPrehistoric Planet[35]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Prehistoric Planet: When is David Attenborough documentary released on Apple TV Plus? . April 19, 2022 . Radio Times . en . May 1, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220501193802/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/documentaries/prehistoric-planet-apple-tv-release-date/ . live .
  2. Web site: April 2, 2022. Apple TV+ reveals first look at epic natural history event series "Prehistoric Planet". April 4, 2022. Apple. en. live. May 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220503225735/https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2022/04/apple-tv-reveals-first-look-at-epic-natural-history-event-series-prehistoric-planet/.
  3. Scott. K.D.. White. A.M.. 2003. Unnatural History? Deconstructing the Walking with Dinosaurs Phenomenon. Media, Culture & Society. 25. 3. 315–332. 10.1177/0163443703025003002. 143566889 .
  4. Web site: Prehistoric Planet Review: A Breathtaking Nature Documentary with Realistic-Looking Dinosaurs. May 26, 2022. MovieWeb. 25 May 2022. en. 5 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220605085015/https://movieweb.com/prehistoric-planet-review/. live.
  5. Støen . Michael . 2022 . 1999: The BBC simulates prehistoric wildlife . Public Understanding of Science . 31 . 4 . en . 524–529 . 10.1177/09636625211068944 . 35062833 . 246165620 . 0963-6625.
  6. Brusatte . Steve . Stephen L. Brusatte . stevebrusatte . 1516829918897840135 . April 20, 2022 . This is going to be epic. Honoured to play a role consulting with @MikeGunton & team from the development phase a decade ago until now. Huge work by @TetZoo & many talented people to make this happen. . en . April 26, 2022.
  7. Web site: May 8, 2019 . 'The Jungle Book' Director Jon Favreau Teams With BBC Studios' NHU To Produce Doc Series 'Prehistoric Planet' For Apple . April 4, 2022 . Deadline . en . May 8, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190508122631/https://deadline.com/2019/05/jon-favreau-prehistoric-planet-apple-1202609696/ . live .
  8. Web site: April 2, 2022 . David Attenborough explores habits and habitats of dinosaurs in new series Prehistoric Planet . April 19, 2022 . inews.co.uk . en . April 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220419164328/https://inews.co.uk/news/sir-david-attenborough-explore-habits-habitats-dinosaurs-new-apple-tv-series-prehistoric-planet-1554269 . live .
  9. Web site: Palaeontologists Rejoice As 'Prehistoric Planet' Presents A Realistic View Of The Cretaceous . April 21, 2022 . IFLScience . 6 April 2022 . en . 7 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220407101802/https://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/palaeontologists-rejoice-as-prehistoric-planet-presents-a-realistic-view-of-the-cretaceous/ . live .
  10. Web site: Prehistoric Planet . May 24, 2022 . Apple TV+ Press . en-US . June 1, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220601084955/https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/originals/prehistoric-planet/ . live .
  11. John R.. Hutchinson. JohnRHutchinson. Well done to everyone involved in #PrehistoricPlanet! Lots of science.. 1528608226345902081. May 23, 2022.
  12. David. Krentz. DavidKrentz1. Re: Prehistoric Planet. Yes, I was involved. I would get amazing models and adjust them for accuracy or character and give modeling notes etc. some color work too. Really talented team to collaborate with, can't state that enough. I'll share stuff at a later date.. 1517602004129902592. April 23, 2022.
  13. Web site: Petski. Denise. 'Prehistoric Planet' Renewed For Season 2 At Apple TV+. Deadline Hollywood. March 1, 2023. March 2, 2023. March 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230302061110/https://deadline.com/2023/03/prehistoric-planet-renewed-season-2-apple-tv-1235276422/. live.
  14. Web site: April 2, 2022 . WATCH: Apple TV+ Reveals First Look At Epic Natural History Event Series 'Prehistoric Planet' . live . April 4, 2022 . Deadline . en . April 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220428163738/https://deadline.com/video/prehistoric-planet-appletv-david-attenborough-jon-favreau/ .
  15. Web site: April 20, 2022 . 'Prehistoric Planet' Trailer Reveals Countless Species of Dinosaurs Like You've Never Seen Before . live . April 20, 2022 . Collider . en . May 14, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220514215400/https://collider.com/prehistoric-planet-trailer-david-attenborough-dinosaur-nature-docuseries/ .
  16. Web site: Prehistoric Planet — Official Trailer 2 Apple TV+ . . en . May 20, 2022 . May 21, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220521004433/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7EvnNIV8_0 . live .
  17. Web site: Apple TV+ shares stunning first-look teaser for season two of award-winning natural history documentary event "Prehistoric Planet," premiering May 22, 2023. April 18, 2023. Apple TV+ Press. en. April 18, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230418145324/https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2023/04/apple-tv-shares-stunning-first-look-teaser-for-season-two-of-award-winning-natural-history-documentary-event-prehistoric-planet-premiering-may-22-2023/. live.
  18. Web site: Apple TV+ shares dino-mite new trailer for second season of natural history documentary event "Prehistoric Planet," premiering May 22, 2023 . 2023-05-02 . Apple TV+ Press . en-US . 2023-08-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230831231517/https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2023/05/apple-tv-shares-dino-mite-new-trailer-for-second-season-of-natural-history-documentary-eventprehistoric-planet-premiering-may-22-2023/ . live .
  19. Web site: Prehistoric Planet: Season 1 . Rotten Tomatoes . en . February 7, 2024 . June 5, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220605191926/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/prehistoric_planet/s01 . live .
  20. Web site: Prehistoric Planet: Season 2 . Rotten Tomatoes . en . February 7, 2024 . July 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230728140738/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/prehistoric_planet/s02 . live .
  21. prehistoric-planet. tv . 1 . Prehistoric Planet. June 12, 2022.
  22. Web site: Verhoeven . Beatrice . 2022-07-07 . 'This Is Us,' 'Succession,' 'Severance' Lead 2022 HCA TV Nominations . 2022-07-08 . The Hollywood Reporter . 2022-07-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220707225346/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/2022-hollywood-critics-association-broadcast-cable-tv-nominations-1235176458/ . live .
  23. Web site: 'Abbott Elementary' Scores Most TCA Award Nods; 'Squid Game' & 'Only Murders In The Building' Also Among Honorees . Cordero . Rosy . June 16, 2022 . . June 18, 2022 . June 17, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220617171307/https://deadline.com/2022/06/tca-awards-2022-nominees-1235046381/ . live .
  24. Web site: 'Abbott Elementary' Tops 2022 TCA Awards . Hailu . Selome . August 6, 2022 . . August 6, 2022 . August 6, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220806180119/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/tca-television-critics-awards-2022-abbott-elementary-1235335161/ . live .
  25. Web site: Cinema Eye Honors: 'Four Hours At The Capitol,' 'The Beatles: Get Back' Lead First Round Of Nominations For Documentary Awards Show. Deadline. Matthew. Carey. October 20, 2022. October 20, 2022. February 27, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230227021025/https://deadline.com/2022/10/cinema-eye-honors-nominees-announcement-broadcast-film-and-series-new-1235150449/. live.
  26. Web site: 'Black Panther,' 'Bros,' 'Everything Everywhere All at Once,' 'Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio' lead Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMA) nominations. AwardsWatch. Erik. Anderson. November 3, 2022. November 3, 2022. November 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221104143734/https://awardswatch.com/black-panther-bros-everything-everywhere-all-at-once-guillermo-del-toros-pinocchio-lead-hollywood-music-in-media-awards-hmma-nominations/. live.
  27. Web site: The 2022 Hollywood Music In Media Awards (HMMA) Winners. Neglia. M.. November 17, 2022. Next Best Picture. November 18, 2022. November 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221118063603/https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2022-hollywood-music-in-media-awards-hmma-winners/. live.
  28. Web site: Televisual Bulldog Awards: Winners announced. Televisual. John. Creamer. November 9, 2022. November 9, 2022. November 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221109111241/https://www.televisual.com/news/televisual-bulldog-awards-winners-announced-2/. live.
  29. Web site: Broadcast Tech Innovation Awards 2022: The Winners. Broadcast. Miller. Max. November 30, 2022. November 30, 2022. December 1, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221201002629/https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/tech/broadcast-tech-innovation-awards-2022-the-winners/5176992.article. live.
  30. Web site: Annie Awards: 'Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio' Leads Feature Competition With Nine Noms. The Hollywood Reporter. Carolyn. Giardina. January 17, 2023. January 17, 2023. January 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230117160443/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/annie-awards-2023-animation-nominations-announced-1235300828/. live.
  31. Web site: Giardina . Carolyn . January 17, 2023 . 'Avatar: The Way of Water' Earns Record 14 Visual Effects Society Award Nominations . January 17, 2023 . The Hollywood Reporter . January 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230117160505/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/visual-effects-society-awards-2023-nominations-1235301211/ . live .
  32. Web site: 'Avatar: The Way Of Water' Dominates VES Awards With Nine Wins; Three For 'Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio' – Full List. Deadline. Erik. Pederson. February 15, 2023. February 16, 2023. February 16, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230216045218/https://deadline.com/2023/02/ves-awards-2023-winners-list-1235261199/. live.
  33. Web site: Critics Choice Real TV Awards Nominations: 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Leads List As 'Vanderpump Rules,' Joanna Gaines & Selena Gomez Score Nods. Deadline Hollywood. Armando. Tinoco. May 15, 2023. June 22, 2024.
  34. Web site: 75th Emmy Awards Complete Nominations List . . July 12, 2023 . July 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230721190226/https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/75th-nominations-list-v1.pdf?q=2023 . live .
  35. Web site: 'The Boys', 'Yellowjackets', 'Abbott Elementary' lead 2023 HCA TV Awards nominations . Anderson . Erik . AwardsWatch . July 11, 2023 . July 11, 2023 . July 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230711215202/https://awardswatch.com/the-boys-yellowjackets-abbott-elementary-lead-2023-hca-tv-awards-nominations/ . live .