South Pacific

South Pacific is a British nature documentary series produced by the BBC Natural History Unit that premiered on BBC Two on 10 May 2009. Spanning six installments, the programme surveys the natural history of the South Pacific region, including many coral atolls and New Zealand. Filmed entirely in high definition, the production was co-produced with the Discovery Channel and was shepherded by series producer Huw Cordey. Benedict Cumberbatch provides narration. Filming extended across 18 months in remote Pacific locations such as Anuta, the Banks Islands, French Frigate Shoals, Papua New Guinea, Palmyra, Kingman Reef, Tuvalu, Palau, the Caroline Islands, the Tuamotus and Tanna Island in Vanuatu. On 6 May 2009, BBC Worldwide released a slow-motion HD teaser of big-wave surfer Dylan Longbottom, which drew highly positive reactions on YouTube. The series was released on DVD and Blu-ray on 15 June 2009, and each fifty-minute episode concludes with a ten-minute behind‑the‑scenes featurette detailing filming challenges. In the United States, Discovery International released it under the title Wild Pacific, with narration by Mike Rowe.