David attenborough, 99, pleads for help with ‘no time to waste for small talk’

THOUGH HE'S RETIRED FROM PUBLIC LIFE, SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH RETURNS TO THE SPOTLIGHT IN A COMPELLING DOCUMENTARY AS HE RAISES THE ALARM TO PRESERVE AND SAVE OUR OCEANS. 07:00, 31 May

2025Updated 11:01, 03 Jun 2025 David Attenborough’s new show is more than just a documentary – it’s a love letter to the sea. Sir David Attenborough returns to our screens at the age of 99

to sound the alarm on the state of our oceans. He delivers a clear message: if we don’t act now, we may lose the most vital ecosystem on Earth. For producer Keith Scholey, the documentary is

personal. “I’ve worked with David for about 40 years,” he says, “He’s the best storyteller we have.” Despite his age, he reports that Sir David’s wit remains razor-sharp. “He’s always on

it,” says Keith, “He’s engaged and so stimulating. You always have to be on your mettle with him. He never wants to waste time with small talk so if you have a joke, it better be a good one.

And he has stories that could come from any direction.” The idea for the film came from wildlife cameraman Doug Anderson and David was soon suggested as a presenter. But it was producer

Keith who made the call. Article continues belowREAD MORE: Large family tent that's 'easy to assemble' drops from £1,100 to £275 in time for summer “Doug wondered if David

would be interested, so I asked him,” Keith says, “He was very keen. From that moment on, the team came together.” The result is an urgent and visually stunning call to protect marine life.

Filmed in breathtaking locations from the Azores to Antarctica, the documentary brings together dazzling underwater footage and sobering realities. It is a cry for help, urging law-makers to

implement regulations on practices considered harmful to marine life. “A lot of natural history films tell you about the ocean in general,” says Keith, “This one has a mission to persuade

and inform the public of the power of ocean protection and how it’s so good for all of us.” To anchor the film in science, marine ecologist and National Geographic explorer in residence

Enric Sala was brought in. A former professor, Enric left academia to devote his life to conservation. “As a science advisor on the film, I made sure that every statement was supported by

peer-reviewed scientific research,” Enric says, “So this film is not only a moving story, but it’s also an accurate story based on the best science.” Director Toby Nowlan, who has worked

with David Attenborough for 16 years, was tasked with turning Enric’s expert insights into compelling cinema. “There’s no greater privilege in this world than working with the legend that is

Sir David Attenborough,” Toby says, “He’s the reason I’m sitting here today.” The project came together unexpectedly during the 2020 pandemic, when Enric’s previous series was put on hold.

“The stars aligned,” he says, “David and I agreed to do this film together. It felt like a gift.” The film doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths. Among the most powerful moments is the

first-ever footage of bottom trawling, an age-old fishing practice still used in many marine- protected areas. Giant nets are dragged across the sea floor, devastating fragile ecosystems.

“It was invented 700 years ago, off the south coast of the UK,” says Toby. “It’s very common but it could be as devastating as bulldozing the Amazon. It has only continued because it’s

hidden below the waves.” The team initially debated whether to include the footage. “We didn’t want to film it,” says Keith, “It’s horrible, but there’s no archive of bottom trawling.”

Securing some of these shots meant facing wild seas and tough conditions, particularly in Antarctica. “It’s a long way to travel to,” producer Colin Butfield says. “Even when you’re there,

you have an enormous boat trip through some of the wildest seas on the planet. Safety was also important – you have to be down there long enough to get the shots you need.” Conservation

efforts have paid off at Hawaii’s Papahanaumoku Marine National Monument – the world’s largest marine- protected area – where the crew witnessed the impact. “They’ve been properly protecting

the marine environment for a couple of decades now,” says Colin. “The bounce back is just extraordinary.” That reversal offers hope. With the UN Ocean Conference beginning on 9 June, the

film couldn’t be more timely. After a career spanning more than seven decades, David has evolved from pioneering biologist to global icon – beloved by everyone from scientists to

schoolchildren, heads of state to royal families. His unmistakable voice has shown us the wonders of the world and reminded us just how fragile it is. Now, with his 100th birthday

approaching, _Ocean_ stands as a deeply personal project. “It’s his love letter to the world, to save the ocean,” Toby says. “It’s really key to him. He quickly realised it was the greatest

message he was ever going to tell.” _Ocean_ _W__ith David Attenborough_ isn’t just making waves – it’s breaking records. The film has already received remarkable box office success, becoming

the highest-grossing opening for a nature documentary when it was released in UK and Ireland cinemas last month. It’s proof that audiences are not only listening, but ready to act. Article

continues below _OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH AIRS SUNDAY 8TH JUNE AT 8PM ON NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC AND STREAMS THE SAME DAY ON DISNEY+._ _LIKE THIS STORY? FOR MORE OF THE LATEST SHOWBIZ NEWS

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