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BBC unveils Attenborough duo, Xmas slate

The BBC has revealed two David Attenborough programmes

The BBC has revealed two David Attenborough programmes

The BBC has ordered two new shows featuring natural-history legend David Attenborough and has also unveiled its Christmas slate.

Light on Earth (1×60′) explores the spectacular luminescence produced by glow-worms, fireflies and luminous plankton, and delves into never-before-seen environments.

It’s being exec produced by Ivo Filatsch and Sabine Holzer for Terra Mater Factual Studios of Austria and directed by Martin Dohrn, Joe Loncraine and Paul Reddish for Ammonite Films.

The UK pubcaster has also ordered Inspiring Attenborough: Sir David at 90, a special one-off interview with the presenter to mark his 90th birthday next year. It’s being produced by the Natural History Unit and will explore Attenborough’s career and the countless animals he has encountered.

Meanwhile, the BBC’s Christmas slate includes Red Planet Pictures drama Dickensian, as well as the return of detective shows Luther and Sherlock.

Also on the schedule is David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy, a Strictly Come Dancing special and the adaptation of best-selling Agatha Christie crime novel And Then There Were None.

The pubcaster will also show Christmas specials of Call the Midwife and Doctor Who, along with an adaptation of Stickman, written by Julia Donaldson and voiced by Sherlock actor Martin Freeman.

Mark Linsey, acting director of BBC Television, said: “Across the channels, we have an outstanding range of distinctive programmes that display our commitment to bringing viewers the very best in ambitious, quality television.”

Meanwhile, filming has begun on Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight’s drama Taboo, which will air on BBC1 in the UK and FX in the US. It stars Tom Hardy, who returns to London from Africa in 1814 to find himself the recipient of mysterious legacy from his father.

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