Hugh Bonneville Narrates ‘The Secret Lives of Animals’ Apple TV+ Nature Docuseries

Hugh Bonneville (“Paddington,” “Downton Abbey”) will narrate “The Secret Lives of Animals” a 10-part Apple TV+ docuseries highlighting 77 unique species in 24 countries over three years, revealing stunning, never-before-seen animal behaviors and highlighting the remarkable intelligence of the natural world.

The series produced by the BBC Studios Natural History Unit, will debut globally on December 18 on Apple TV+.

“The Secret Lives of Animals” series both inspires and delights viewers with its vibrant exploration of extraordinary animal behaviors, many captured on film for the first time. Each episode delves into pivotal moments in the life cycles of various animals — from birth and leaving home to raising a family, and from finding food to growing old — showcasing their striking intelligence and adaptability. Highlights include an orb-weaving spider constructing a deceptive “self-portrait” puppet to deter predators; a wood mouse that creates its own signposts; and, an unexpected relationship between a reticulated humming frog and a burrowing tarantula.

“The Secret Lives of Animals” is produced for Apple TV+ by BBC Studios Natural History Unit, with Matt Brandon (“Planet Earth III”) serving as showrunner and Roger Webb (“Mammals,” “Big Cats 24/7”) as executive producer. The series marks the third collaboration between the BBC Studios Natural History Unit and Apple TV+, following the hit, Emmy Award-nominated series “Prehistoric Planet” and “The Year Earth Changed.”