The BBC has commissioned a slate of new shows to mark Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, on Friday 8 May, and will be showcasing some of the finest programmes from his extraordinary seven-decade career in a week-long celebration of his work and legacy.

New programmes

Making Life on Earth: Attenborough’s Greatest Adventure - featuring new interviews with David and the original production team as they reflect on the making of the ground-breaking series Life on Earth for BBC One and iPlayer
Secret Garden - a new primetime series for BBC One and iPlayer, in which Attenborough reveals the hidden worlds and remarkable wildlife thriving within Britain’s gardens
David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth - a celebratory live event for BBC One and iPlayer from the Royal Albert Hall, featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra and special guests.

From the archive

Special episodes from some of Attenborough’s most beloved landmark series, airing on BBC One in the week leading up to his birthday
A dedicated BBC iPlayer collection showcasing more than 40 series presented by David, celebrating one of the most remarkable bodies of work in broadcasting history.

top 16 comments

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[–] IntrovertTurtle@lemmy.zip 37 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

Sir David Attenborough is a global treasure. I can't imagine any documentary narrated by anyone else. His voice is so iconic, and his love and adoration for what he does reminds me only of Steve Irwin, just pleased to be there and doing what they do.

[–] skisnow@lemmy.ca 10 points 3 weeks ago

I used to think it was weird the way he pronounced the "s" in "Asia", and then I randomly heard it in some other old film and realized that people just used to say it like that a century ago and he had no reason to change now.

[–] YurkshireLad@lemmy.ca 3 points 3 weeks ago

You said exactly what I'm thinking.

[–] bonenode@piefed.social -5 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

It is interesting how this fame is wholy based on him speaking English. Imagine some random guy in Slovakia having the greatest voice and narrating some of the finest documentations. No one outside the country would care.

[–] ohulancutash@feddit.uk 11 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

He has been doing television longer than Slovakia has…

[–] FishFace@piefed.social 9 points 3 weeks ago

He's been doing television longer than Slovakia has existed, depending on what definition you take.

[–] i_am_not_a_robot@feddit.uk 8 points 3 weeks ago

He might "only" narrate them now, but he used to go out and film them as well as being a big advocate for conservation.

[–] KaChilde@sh.itjust.works 15 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Feels like tempting fate to announce a celebration of his 100th birthday this far in advance….

[–] ctry21@sh.itjust.works 11 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Reminds me when there were plans to release a Betty White's 100th birthday special until she died just three weeks beforehand. That whole thing felt incredibly exploitative though.

[–] samus12345@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 weeks ago

[–] ClockworkOtter@lemmy.world 14 points 3 weeks ago

Are they going to celebrate his activism on global climate change and habitat destruction?

[–] HootinNHollerin@lemmy.dbzer0.com 11 points 3 weeks ago

Absolute legend and hero

[–] switcheroo@lemmy.world 10 points 3 weeks ago

Here's to many more! 💐🥳

... please? We can't handle another loss during these shit times.

[–] Ghostie@lemmy.zip 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

So crazy this would pop up on my feed. I was just watching a segment of his on Lemurs last night.

[–] ohulancutash@feddit.uk 3 points 3 weeks ago

Actually, it’s spelled L-e-m-m-y

[–] ashughes@feddit.uk 1 points 3 weeks ago

BBC: We’re hosting a birthday party for Sir David Attenborough and you’re all invited!

Me: Awesome!

BBC: You’ve got a TV license, right?

Me: …

BBC: gestures to a man in the shadows. Get ‘em!