An imaginative "speculative evolution" miniseries that uses the principles of Earth's biology to envision how life might develop on distant exoplanets. Using impressive CGI, the program explores four distinct worlds, from a high-gravity gas giant to a tidally locked planet caught between permanent day and night. Narrated with gravitas by Sophie Okonedo, the series is essentially a nature documentary for places that do not exist.
It smartly grounds its flights of fancy by cutting back to real-world scientists on Earth, explaining how things like bioluminescence, colonial insect behavior, or atmospheric pressure inform the designs of its alien creatures. While the "sci-fi" elements are the main draw, the Earth-based segments are surprisingly compelling, offering a fresh perspective on our own planet’s biodiversity. The visual effects are top-tier, though the brief four-episode run leaves the viewer wanting a deeper dive into the sociology of its imagined civilizations.
It is an entertaining blend of education and escapism that appeals to the "inner astronomer" in its audience.
Production Details
UK / Netflix - Wall to Wall Media / 4x45 Minute Episodes / 2020
Narrator: Sophie Okonedo
Executive Producer: Jeremy Dear, Daniel M. Smith