Overview
- The BBC has commissioned a five-part natural history series called Evolution presented by Chris Packham that traces major evolutionary changes across the history of life.
- Each episode follows the evolutionary story of a single modern animal as an organizing device rather than a strict chronological timeline, using that species to explain key biological breakthroughs.
- The five focal animals are the elephant, the ostrich, the horse, the bat, and the dolphin, and the series anchors its long-term narrative on LUCA, the last universal common ancestor.
- Filming was concentrated by episode in single locations to reduce travel and emissions, with on-location shoots reported in Kenya, South Africa, the UK and France by train, the Bahamas, and Borneo.
- Packham frames the show as a modern, presenter-led successor to classic landmark series that combines up-to-date science, short engaging segments for broad audiences, and an explicit aim to boost public care for life.