‘The Americas’ is the latest landmark blue chip Natural History series produced by BBC Studios - it premiered on NBC in the USA on Sunday 23rd February and will be broadcast this Sunday 2nd March on BBC One in the UK. Narrated by Tom Hanks, music by Hans Zimmer and featuring a number of world firsts, this 11-part series (which was filmed over five years and 180 expeditions) is set to be spectacular.
Watch on BBC One this Sunday 2nd March at 18:45 or catch up via BBC iPlayer
Mark filmed an underwater sequence for the series, which will feature in episode one ‘The Atlantic Coast’
In the summer of 2022, Mark filmed sand tiger sharks congregating off the North Carolina coast, in the 'Atlantic Graveyard', named because of all the shipwrecks dotted up and down the coastline. These wrecks, many of which are sunken vessels from World War II, have created an artificial habitat, perfect for these sharks and their prey. With unnerving toothy smiles, sand tiger sharks are actually one of the most common shark found in aquariums around the world.
Mark spent the shoot diving with his rEvo rebreather, allowing him to sidle up next to and get close with these gentle giants, allowing for some lovely close up shots and behaviour. Adverse weather conditions during the camera team's stay meant the first 12 days of the shoot were spent on land, as the winds were too high, and seas too rough to venture out. With the resulting reduced schedule, Mark had just four days in which to capture this sequence, so every minute of every dive counted.
“This incomparable project will employ revolutionary filmmaking technology that will showcase the wonders, secrets and fragilities of the Americas – Earth’s largest landmass and the only one to stretch between both poles – and reveal extraordinary, untold wildlife stories that deeply connect with millions around the world. ‘The Americas’ is executive produced by renowned Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning wildlife producer Mike Gunton (“Life,” “Planet Earth II,” and “Dynasties”) for BBC Studios Natural History Unit, the world’s largest production unit dedicated to wildlife filmmaking, in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio, a division of Universal Studio Group. ”
Production credits:
* Episode producer: Alex Griffiths
* Assistant Producer and shoot director: Chris Kidd
* Underwater DOP: Mark Sharman
* Rebreather buddy and underwater camera assistant: Toby Russell
* Scuba buddy: James Bell
* Topside assistant: Christopher Georgia
* Boat charter: Instigator Fishing & Diving Charters
The thumbnail photograph of a shark swimming through a shoal of fish is by photographer Tanya Griffen Houppermans, and provided an inspiration for the sequence. Tanya was Mark’s dive guide and buddy - showing him around the wrecks and sharks she knows well.
