The wildest places on the planet have always been home to powerful leaders, but this is a story of a new hero – fierce, smart, resilient and … female. QUEENS features matriarchies and female leaders around the world to tell a story of sacrifice and resilience but also of friendship and love. These queens aren’t always kind or gentle, letting nothing come between them and the success and safety of their families. Guided by award-winning actress Angela Bassett’s powerful narration, QUEENS brings the natural world into focus through the female lens for the very first time. Four years in the making and helmed by a female-led production team from around the world – groundbreaking in the natural history space – the seven-part series leverages cutting-edge technology to reveal surprising insights into how females in the natural world rise to power, often relying on cooperation and wisdom over brute strength to get ahead. The final episode of the series celebrates the women who have gone to the ends of the Earth and dedicated their lives to documenting and protecting animal queens. We don’t call her Mother Nature for nothing. All hail … the QUEENS.
National Geographic has provided a GeekDad exclusive behind-the-scenes video where Director of Photography, Sophie Darlington, describes the importance of training filmmakers on the best technology in the world. In this video, you will see that technology.
QUEENS premieres Monday, March 4th on National Geographic with the first three episodes, and the remaining four episodes on March 11th. The series will begin streaming on Disney+ and Hulu on Tuesday, March 5th. Let’s take a look at the various episodes.
“African Queens”
In the heart of Tanzania, the towering walls of the Ngorongoro crater set the stage for one of the most infamous rivalries in the natural world. The sisters of a formidable lion pride clash with a hyena clan ruled by an all-powerful queen. The sisterhood shares responsibility, while the hyena queen must play clan politics and enforce a strict hierarchy to keep her crown.
“Rainforest Queens”
The Congo forest in Central Africa is home to a secretive animal we still know very little about. Bonobos are one of our closest relatives, but in their society, it’s females who rule. A young bonobo must leave behind her family to find her place in the world. Here, friendship is the key to survival. She must make new friends and impress the alpha female before she can truly fit in.
“Tiny Jungle Queens”
Under the rainforest canopy of Central America is a secret world ruled by insects. Two tiny queens will give everything to build their empires. The ant queen will sacrifice her own body for the future of her growing colony, while the beautiful orchid bee will stop at nothing for success, betraying those closest to her.
“Savanna Queens”
The African savanna is home to the ultimate animal sisterhood: a family of elephants. A new baby will need the family’s support to make it through her early, vulnerable months. While mom learns how to care for her, the baby’s grandmother, the matriarch, must protect the infant. Facing predators, drought and a rapidly changing world, can this growing family of iconic females survive?
“Mountain Queens”
The Ethiopian mountain world is ruled by two very different queens, but both are mothers raising daughters. A gelada monkey rules a tight-knit sisterhood, but with her only daughter on the cusp of adulthood, she must make great sacrifices for her child’s future. On the plateau above, an Ethiopian wolf also has a daughter, but this mother must be ruthless to protect her own legacy.
“Coastal Queens”
The coastal realm of land and sea is home to two of nature’s most iconic females: orcas and grizzly bears. Under the waves in the Gulf of California, the orca family’s success relies on the experience of their 60-year-old matriarch. While on the beaches of Alaska, a first-time bear mother must raise her three cubs alone and with only her instincts to guide her.
“Behind the Queens”
Award-winning cinematographers join forces with up-and-coming female filmmakers from across the globe to capture the lives of the animal queens. We celebrate the inspiring stories of the game-changing women we met during these epic adventures in the world’s wildest places. These scientists, conservationists and activists are giving everything to protect the animals and their iconic homes.
Be sure to watch QUEENS when it premieres Monday, March 4th on National Geographic and begins streaming on Disney+ and Hulu the following day. Here is a trailer to enjoy in the meantime.
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