We’ve seen David Attenborough bring forests, deserts, and jungles to life — but now he’s taking us deep underwater.
With a brand-new documentary titled Ocean with David Attenborough, set to premiere on Sunday, June 8, the legendary broadcaster invites viewers to explore one of Earth’s final frontiers in an entirely fresh and immersive way.
This isn’t just another nature doc — it’s a technical and storytelling breakthrough, packed with jaw-dropping visuals, new filming methods, and a powerful message about protecting our oceans.
An Ocean Like You’ve Never Seen Before
Directed by Keith Scholey, Toby Nowlan, and Colin Butfield, and produced by Silverback Films and Open Planet Studio, this National Geographic special takes audiences beneath the surface in a way that feels almost unreal — except it is real.
Scholey, a seasoned wildlife filmmaker, made it clear in a recent interview: “Every single shot in this film is real.
No CGI. No enhancements. Just nature at its most spectacular.”
That includes stunning clips like a massive school of yellowfin tuna and crystal-clear footage of dolphins gliding effortlessly through the sea.
The High-Tech Secret Behind the Shots
So how did they capture such surreal underwater footage? Scholey explained it all comes down to a clever new invention: the “tow cam.”
Think of it as a high-tech torpedo with cameras on every side.
“You drop it off the back of a boat,” Scholey said, “and we attach things that might attract dolphins.
They get curious, swim up, and boom — we get these amazing shots.”
Of course, it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Getting the tow cam to stay stable in the water — especially far enough behind the boat to avoid turbulence — took some serious trial and error.
“We used earlier versions before,” Scholey added, “but this was the first time we really nailed it.”
Tuna, Dolphins, and Curious Creatures
It turns out dolphins aren’t the only ones curious about this unusual camera.
Scholey described how false killer whales, tuna, and other sea creatures would often approach the device out of interest.
And here’s the catch (pun intended): the filmmakers couldn’t even see what they were capturing in real time.
“You don’t know what you’ve got until you pull the thing back in and check the footage,” Scholey laughed.
Attenborough: Still Hands-On After All These Years
David Attenborough may be 98, but he’s not just lending his voice — he’s still deeply involved in the creative process.
According to Scholey, who has worked with him since 1981, Attenborough continues to play a huge role in shaping every documentary he’s part of.
“He’s very hands-on with the structure and the narration,” Scholey said.
“We go out and find the best stories, bring them back, and collaborate with him.
When it comes to the final words — he’s incredibly particular. He writes much of it himself, and he’s one of the best narration writers out there.”
Narration That Feels Like Poetry
What makes Attenborough’s delivery so iconic isn’t just his voice — it’s the way he writes for himself.
“He knows exactly how to pace a line, where to pause, and how to let the imagery breathe,” Scholey explained.
That personal touch is what makes his narration feel more like a conversation than a lecture.
It’s why viewers around the world continue to be captivated by his voice, decade after decade.
A Celebration of the Sea — and a Warning
Ocean doesn’t just dazzle with visuals; it also makes an urgent point.
The documentary looks at the evolution of ocean exploration over Attenborough’s lifetime — from the rise of fish trawling to the importance of marine reserves.
It emphasizes why keeping our oceans healthy is absolutely crucial for the survival of the planet.
Catch the Premiere
Ocean with David Attenborough premieres Sunday, June 8 at 8pm on National Geographic, and it will also be available for streaming on Disney+ the same day.
If you’re ready to be amazed by what lies beneath the waves — and hear it all guided by one of the most trusted voices in nature storytelling — this is one you won’t want to miss.