Blue Planet III stuns Londoners with giant ocean spectacle for its global premiere

A giant whale breaching above the New York skyline. Mesmerising marine worlds. Extraordinary creatures from the depths of the ocean. A quarter of a century after it changed TV forever, the highly anticipated Blue Planet III was heralded in central London tonight with a global premiere and an unforgettable takeover of its iconic Piccadilly Lights by BBC Studios.

Captivating passers-by, in the heart of the capital, the famous screens became a window into the ocean, bringing some of the most remarkable moments from the new series to life in one of the world's busiest and most famous public spaces.

The original The Blue Planet transformed audiences' understanding of life beneath the waves., Narrated once again by Sir David Attenborough, Blue Planet III marks the return of one of the world's most iconic natural history franchises. As part of the global premiere, Sir David, in his 100th year, shared a specially recorded message with guests, reflecting on his long association with the Blue Planet series and the discoveries revealed in this latest chapter.

Sir David Attenborough said: "Twenty-five years ago, when I narrated the first Blue Planet series it didn't occur to me that I would be narrating a third series in my centennial year. The ocean is an endlessly fascinating place. In these new programmes we uncover a further wonderful array of under-water life, which is more surprising, more sophisticated and even more important than we ever realised. I am proud and delighted to be associated with Blue Planet III."

The series is accompanied by an original score from Hans Zimmer and Bleeding Fingers Music, and a stunning extended trailer - offering an exclusive first look at the new series and released by BBC Studios today - soundtracked by an original song, Into The Deep (Seas Cry), penned especially for the new series by BRIT Award winning and Mercury-prize nominated JADE, double Oscar-winning Zimmer and Thom Lukas of the Emmy and BAFTA-winning Bleeding Fingers Music team.

Hans Zimmer says: "Blue Planet III is the most important work I've ever done. I've worked on a lot of films throughout my career, but nothing affects humanity, our world and our planet as much as the work being done by the Natural History Unit in Bristol. I think everybody who comes to Blue Planet comes to it with the knowledge that it is something that changes the world by making you fall in love with the world. It's not something where you're being lectured or cajoled about things but it's something that just shows you how spectacular and beautiful our world truly is and how we need to preserve it and how we need to love it and how whatever we love we need to treat with great kindness and great respect."

Into The Deep (Seas Cry) brings together contemporary music and cinematic storytelling, offering audiences a powerful first glimpse of the remarkable stories featured in Blue Planet III. JADE was in conversation with BBC Radio 1’s Greg James on her collaboration and love of Blue Planet at the global premiere.

JADE says: "I’ve been a huge fan of Blue Planet for many years and have so many memories of watching the show throughout both childhood and adulthood. Sir David Attenborough is a true hero of mine. Being part of Blue Planet III in this way feels incredibly special and a real privilege. I’m so proud of Into The Deep (Seas Cry) and it was amazing to create it with Hans Zimmer and his team. I can’t wait for people to hear it and see the beautifully moving new trailer."

Speaking about the launch, Zai Bennett, CEO & Chief Creative Officer, BBC Studios Global Content said: "For a quarter of a century, our landmark Blue Planet series has helped people around the world view our oceans through fresh eyes. Blue Planet III is the next chapter in that extraordinary story. Created by the unparalleled talent of our incredible Natural History Unit and guided once again by Sir David Attenborough’s astonishing storytelling, this new series reveals wonders few of us could ever imagine and deepens our understanding of the world we share. Tonight’s premiere at Piccadilly Lights celebrates the power of world-class British creativity to stop people in their tracks, spark collective awe, and connect audiences across generations - and across the globe."

The Blue Planet III extended first-look trailer, featuring JADE's Into The Deep (Seas Cry), is available globally now, offering a first look at the extraordinary stories, breathtaking spectacles and remarkable marine wildlife featured throughout the series ahead of its return to screens this autumn.

Blue Planet III, a 6x60’ series is a BBC Studios Natural History Unit Production, in partnership with The Open University for BBC One, iPlayer and BBC AMERICA co-produced with ZDF and France Télévisions in association with Skai Greece. It was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual and the Commissioning Editor is Tom Watt-Smith, BBC Head of Natural History. The Executive Producer is Elizabeth White. Series Producers are Lara Bickerton and James Brickell, Matt Cotton is the Line Producer and Dulcie Arnold is the Production Executive.

The official Blue Planet III score, accompanied by spectacular footage from the series will also be performed live by an orchestra as part of the new Blue Planet III Live in Concert tour, launching across the UK and Europe in 2027.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The Piccadilly Lights takeover took place from 6:25pm to 11pm on Tuesday 6 October. Please note that the video assets included in the press materials are from the night before.

About BBC Studios

BBC Studios is the main commercial arm of BBC Commercial Ltd and generated revenues of £2.1 billion in the last year and profits of over £200 million for a fifth consecutive year. Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, the business is built on two operating areas: the content studio, which produces, invests and distributes TV and audio globally, and media & streaming, with BBC branded channels, services including UKTV, BBC.com and BritBox and joint ventures in the UK and internationally. The business made almost 3,500 hours of award-winning British programmes last year for a wide range of UK and global broadcasters and platforms. Its content is internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms and includes world-famous brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, the Planet series, Bluey and Doctor Who.