Kingdom: David Attenborough's Epic New Wildlife Series! Meet the Families! (2025)

Imagine a wild realm where fierce animal dynasties clash in a brutal battle for supremacy—welcome to 'Kingdom,' the groundbreaking wildlife epic that will leave you breathless. Narrated by the legendary Sir David Attenborough, this series plunges you into the heart-pounding drama of nature's most iconic predators, and trust me, once you start watching, you won't be able to look away.

Published: 12:01 am, November 4, 2025

Get ready for 'Kingdom,' an exhilarating six-part adventure hitting BBC One and iPlayer, brought to you by the acclaimed BBC Studios Natural History Unit that snagged a BAFTA for their stellar work. This isn't just any wildlife show—it's one of the boldest undertakings in the genre, spanning six gripping episodes that track four competing animal clans over a full five years. You'll witness their raw tales of striving to thrive and seize control in one of Earth's most breathtaking natural wonders, a place where every day is a high-stakes gamble.

Nestled deep in Zambia, the spotlight falls on Nsefu, a vibrant sector of South Luangwa National Park along the grand Luangwa River's edge. This verdant paradise buzzes with activity, making it a prime spot for nurturing offspring—but that abundance also sparks intense rivalries, turning the area into a powder keg of competition. Picture a lush, river-lined haven where predators must constantly defend their turf; it's like a natural arena where survival demands cunning and strength.

At the core of 'Kingdom' are the sagas of four powerhouse groups: a majestic lion pride, a tight-knit wild dog pack, a cunning hyena clan, and a stealthy leopard family. They're all vying to claim Nsefu as their territory, weaving a narrative rich with perseverance, territorial battles, fluctuating alliances, and the ultimate test—safeguarding the next generation amid relentless pressures. For beginners dipping into wildlife docs, think of it as a family feud on steroids, where each group's decisions ripple through the ecosystem.

Take the leopard matriarch Olimba, who's working tirelessly to rear her playful cubs right in Nsefu's bustling core—until the scene erupts with the bold entrance of wild dog leader Storm and her energetic crew. But Storm's group doesn't get much breathing room before facing off against a returning lion pride, who waste no time launching assaults on Tenta's dominant hyena clan. And even these mighty lions can't let their guard down, particularly when protecting their own vulnerable young ones. It's a chain reaction of confrontations that keeps the tension sky-high.

Sure, these are top-tier hunters, but 'Kingdom' beautifully uncovers their softer, more relatable sides too. You'll catch heartwarming glimpses like devoted hyena moms nursing their little ones longer than any other carnivore—up to a year, in fact, fostering deep bonds—or Olimba patiently coaching her cubs on hunting basics using a testy hippo as a stand-in target. Wild dogs shine in their communal spirit, rallying around an ailing pack mate with selfless support that rivals human family loyalty. But don't think it's all harmony; family tensions simmer, such as when Olimba and her daughter turn into fierce competitors, and nature's whims—like raging fires, devastating floods, or the life-sustaining river's cycles—can upend everything overnight. In this interconnected web, the destinies of these four clans are woven together tightly. As seasons turn and fortunes shift across the years, the burning question lingers: which family will emerge as the true sovereign of this treasured domain?

And this is the part most people miss: the sheer commitment behind the scenes. The BBC Studios Natural History Unit embedded themselves longer than ever before in a single spot, logging about 1,400 days on location while partnering with Zambian locals and specialists. This deep dive not only captures the charisma of Africa's star predators but also spotlights vital anti-poaching initiatives led by top conservation heroes, reminding us why protecting these wild spaces matters more than ever.

'Kingdom' clocks in at six 60-minute episodes for BBC One and iPlayer, crafted by BBC Studios Natural History Unit with co-production from BBC America. It was greenlit by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning for Specialist Factual. Leading the charge are Executive Producer Mike Gunton, Series Producer Felicity Lanchester, and Series Editor Simon Blakeney.

Tune into 'Kingdom' starting at 6:20 pm on Sunday, November 9, on BBC One and iPlayer (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002hdgh/kingdom)

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Getting to Know the Clans

The Leopards: Olimba and Mutima

Leopards, those elusive big cats gracing Africa's vast plains and Asia's diverse habitats, reign as Nsefu's supreme stalkers. Their rosette-patterned fur isn't just stunning—it's a genius disguise for ambushing prey in the underbrush. Masters of solo stealth, they embody quiet power. In 'Kingdom,' we trail the remarkable Olimba, hailed as Nsefu's most prolific leopard mom, having guided three litters to adulthood successfully. Now, with two fresh cubs in tow, can she steer through the evolving rivalries to ensure they reach independence? Success breeds its own drama, though—even her own young might one day challenge her throne. But here's where it gets controversial: is Olimba's solitary life a strength or a vulnerability in this pack-dominated world?

The Wild Dogs: Storm and Her Pack

Among the planet's most gregarious creatures, African wild dogs thrive in packs, sharing meals and pup-rearing duties with remarkable teamwork—especially doting on the alpha female's brood. Their mottled fur and oversized, radar-like ears make them unmistakable, but sadly, they're among the continent's most at-risk hunters, with populations dwindling due to habitat loss. Our journey spotlights Storm, the bold alpha of a newcomer pack storming into Nsefu to carve out their niche. Watch as they collaborate through triumphs and setbacks in breeding yearly litters, plus a jaw-dropping act of solidarity: rescuing a wounded kin, showcasing bonds that could teach us a thing or two about loyalty. For newcomers to wildlife, wild dogs are like the ultimate team players in nature's survival game.

The Lions: Rita's Pride

No beast screams 'king of the savanna' like the lion, these communal felines who hunt in prides led by females on the prowl. Each lion sports one-of-a-kind whisker patterns, a natural ID system that let the 'Kingdom' crew track over 20 individuals across the series—like wildlife forensics in action. We follow veteran lioness Rita and her crew as they fight to establish and maintain dominance in Nsefu. From tense standoffs with hyenas to battling floods, raising cubs, fending off intruders, and even external dangers like poachers encroaching on the park, their saga is a rollercoaster. It's easy to root for lions as icons, but do they deserve their top spot, or is their social structure a double-edged sword?

The Hyenas: Tandala and Tenta's Clan

Hyenas get a bad rap as mere scavengers, but they're skilled hunters too, with razor-sharp senses of smell and hearing that often draw them into epic clashes with other carnivores. Don't let their canine looks fool you—they're kin to felines, mongooses, and civets, organizing in female-led clans where moms hold the power. 'Kingdom' dives into rookie mom Tandala and her reigning mother Tenta, capturing cozy den life and fierce territorial skirmishes. As a new leader rises, can the clan topple Rita's lions for control? Often misunderstood as villains in stories like 'The Lion King,' hyenas' matriarchal ways challenge stereotypes—could they be the unsung heroes of the savanna?

Behind-the-Scenes Insights

The 'Kingdom' crew captured footage over five years, dedicating roughly 1,400 days across 76 expeditions in Nsefu, allowing for an intimate view of long-term behaviors that shorter shoots miss.
This massive production involved more than 170 team members, with over 90 being Zambian locals and wildlife pros, ensuring authentic, community-driven storytelling.
To snag those up-close shots, they deployed everything from super-telephoto lenses and motion-activated traps to aerial drones, heat-sensing tech, vehicle-mounted cams, chopper setups, and night-vision gear—innovations that reveal hidden animal secrets without disturbance.
Spanning 87 square miles (or 226 square kilometers), Nsefu mirrors the size of Birmingham, a compact yet teeming hotspot of biodiversity.
Sustainability was key: the base camp powered solely by solar energy, including a sun-fueled water system. They cleverly converted shipping containers into offices and storage, one fitted with solar AC to combat the scorching 40°C+ dry-season temps, keeping gear safe.
Over the filming span, the team had thrilling wildlife run-ins—like an elephant trashing a loo, evicting a venomous cobra from camp, finding a croc lounging on a tent deck, or a baboon chase involving a pilfered toilet brush! (Everyone and every animal emerged unscathed, thankfully.)
Olimba's track record is legendary: three cubs from three litters raised to self-sufficiency (two girls, one boy). If her current male cub makes it, she'll hit four—a feat few leopards achieve, highlighting her exceptional parenting skills.
Mutima's standout feature? A heart-shaped mark on her left side, inspiring her name 'Mutima' (Nyanja for 'heart'), the local tongue that adds cultural depth to the story.
The wild dog pack swelled to 34 members via countless pups, challenging researchers to memorize unique fur mosaics for tracking. Storm's father was a record-breaker: longest-reigning alpha and longest-lived at over 12 years, siring 208+ offspring—a legacy of endurance.
Whisker spots helped ID 20+ lions, a simple yet genius tracking method.
By series end, Rita's pride boasted eight cubs—the largest ever for this group, signaling a resurgence.
Pre-'Kingdom,' Nsefu's hyenas were enigmas, but the Zambian Carnivore Programme ramped up monitoring that year, aided by the crew, boosting conservation knowledge.

Groundbreaking Moments in Filming

Kingdom: David Attenborough's Epic New Wildlife Series! Meet the Families! (2025)

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