Attenborough's Latest Masterpiece Faces Scheduling Battle
A stunning new David Attenborough documentary series has found itself in an unexpected scheduling conflict, demonstrating the changing landscape of British television. Kingdom, the BBC's newest natural history spectacle, has been moved to a teatime slot while Strictly Come Dancing occupies the prime time position. This comes despite Blue Planet II achieving the remarkable feat of being 2017's most-watched programme with 14.1 million viewers.
A Five-Year African Epic
Billed as one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken by the BBC Natural History Unit, Kingdom represents an extraordinary achievement in wildlife filmmaking. The series was filmed over an impressive five-year period, focusing on four African animal families competing for dominance in a fertile Zambian river valley. The production follows leopards, hyenas, wild dogs, and lions in what can only be described as nature's equivalent of Game of Thrones.
The series introduces viewers to Olimba the leopard, who has reigned as the undisputed queen of the valley for an entire decade. In compelling footage, we see her teaching her two cubs, Moyo and Mutima, essential survival skills at a local mud bath. The drama builds as the courageous but somewhat foolish Moyo wanders dangerously close to a camouflaged hippopotamus, while his sister watches with what many would recognise as a typical sibling expression of concern.
Animal Dynasties in Conflict
The narrative tension escalates when Storm the wild dog arrives with her pack, immediately challenging Olimba's dominance. In a particularly humbling sequence, the majestic leopard finds herself outnumbered and forced to hide in a treetop while the wild dogs claim her hard-won prey. The producers cleverly manipulate audience allegiances when hyenas - typically twice the size of wild dogs - arrive to steal Storm's bounty, leaving viewers torn between Team Leopard and Team Wild Dog.
Among the memorable characters is pregnant hyena Tandala, who provides some comic relief by avoiding family drama to sunbathe by the water. In a moment many British families will relate to, she later hides her snack in the river to keep it away from her annoying relatives - reminiscent of parents hiding the Celebrations chocolates from greedy family members.
Heartbreaking Drama and Cliffhanger Ending
The series doesn't shy away from nature's harsh realities. In one of the most emotionally powerful scenes, Moyo goes missing, prompting his mother Olimba to search desperately day and night. The heartbreaking conclusion reveals that the young leopard has been killed, with his wounds likely inflicted by a lion. Attenborough's narration of a mother calling for her child who will never return proves deeply moving, regardless of how many times viewers have witnessed similar natural cycles.
The first episode concludes with a dramatic cliffhanger as Storm's new litter faces imminent danger from a group of lions. Seven puppies manage to hide in a den, but one is left behind, leaving viewers wondering if Storm can rescue her pup in time. Attenborough masterfully teases the next episode with his signature gravitas.
While some might find the format familiar, Kingdom remains awe-inspiring, exhilarating and profoundly affecting. The series is available for viewing on BBC One and iPlayer, offering British audiences another extraordinary glimpse into the natural world through the unparalleled lens of David Attenborough and his dedicated team.
