BBC One

Living with hazards: Indonesian sulphur miners Duration: 05:13 Mountains - Life in Thin Air
Living with hazards: Simien cliff farmers Duration: 06:06 Mountains - Life in Thin Air
Living without water: Tubu traders Duration: 07:32 Deserts - Life in the Furnace
Living with cold: reindeer herders in Norway Duration: 06:44 Arctic - Life in the Deep Freeze
Living without water: Atacama fog catching nets Duration: 05:00 Deserts - Life in the Furnace
Living with cold: polar bears Duration: 05:55 Arctic - Life in the Deep Freeze

About Human Planet

Human Planet is an eight-part landmark BBC natural history series.

Filmed in high definition, Human Planet will be an epic record of man's survival in the most extreme environments. Each episode focuses on one environment and how the peoples and tribes who live there adapt to their surroundings: oceans, deserts, arctic, jungles, mountains, grasslands, rivers and cities.

The series is narrated by John Hurt and features original music by composer Nitin Sawnhey.
Watch the Human Planet series trailer
Human Planet: live chat

Relive the interactive chat with the makers of the series on 3 March.
Read the discussion
John Hurt narrates Human Planet

John Hurt adds his inimitable style to the Human Planet series. Take a look behind the scenes at how Human Planet director Nicolas Brown spent a day working with him recording the voice track for the Mountains programme.
Watch the John Hurt narrates Human Planet video
Nitin Sawhney, Composer, Human Planet

Nitin brings a fresh new musical soundscape to the BBC landmark genre. The music for this series combines his classical talents with a multitude of cultural influences.

“I have always believed in the idea that music can transcend barriers of nationality, religion and race. It is a universal language with direct input to our emotions and common human values. It excites me that I have this great opportunity to apply such a perspective to the Human Planet score and to celebrate the very essence of human diversity and resilience through musical narrative.”

Nitin has scored over 40 films and released 8 studio albums, winning many international awards. He is the only artist to have sold out both the traditional BBC Proms and the pop-orientated BBC Electric Proms in his own right. On Human Planet he works with solo musicians and singers as well as the National Orchestra of Wales.
Watch Nitin Sawhney discuss his approach to the Human Planet score
Timothy Allen, Photographer, Human Planet

In late 2007 Tim made first contact with a colourful, previously unknown tribe of gregarious human beings who recounted to him wild stories of mythical places and magical adventure.

"Over two years, six stills cameras, and more than 100 flights later, I admit I have finally surrendered to the Human Planet clan and have gone totally native, now working and dwelling amongst their kind in their ancestral homelands of Bristol, UK."

This is the first time that a stills photographer of Tim's calibre has worked on location with BBC camera crews. Born in Kent, Tim is a zoology graduate who spent most of his formative years abroad. He started work as a photographer during the Balkan conflict having discovered that his real passion in life lay with the human animal. He then spent over a decade with a top London photographic agency and seven years at The Independent. He has now worked with tribal communities in over 40 countries across the world, producing stunning images.

So what's his favourite tribe? "Without doubt, the BBC Natural History Unit… The most fun, interesting and idiosyncratic bunch of souls I’ve ever encountered on the face of this earth."
Watch an interview with Timothy Allen
Creating Human Planet

Watch an interview with Executive Producer Brian Leith and Series Producer Dale Templar.
Watch the interview
Dale Templar, Series Producer, Human Planet

Dale has worked at the BBC as a producer and director in network programming for over 20 years. She has specialized in making films in remote locations and has worked in every one of the extreme environments that make up the episodes in Human Planet.

"Yes, I have worked in jungles, deserts, grasslands, up mountains, on rivers and under the ocean. I’ve not yet been to the Arctic but I made two films in Antarctica, hopefully that counts. I have also survived a few urban jungles too! So that’s Human Planet pretty much covered."
Brian Leith, Executive Producer, Human Planet

"I have been making films about 'man and nature' – the connections, both good and bad – for over 20 years, and it never fails to amaze me how unexpected and surprising these stories are."

"Now, with Human Planet, a personal dream is fulfilled: a series that sees humans as probably the most remarkable species on the planet. We
humans are of course an integral part of nature, not the planetary villains we're so often made out to be."