A wholesome new TV series to watch with ALL the family - what you need to know about Prehistoric Planet 2

The 'nation's grandad' Sir David Attenborough returns to screens with his new series on AppleTV+

Prehistoric Planet 2 landscape painting
(Image credit: Apple TV+)

If it's been a while since you sat down to watch something that's suitable for the whole family, then fear not, for there's a new series of Prehistoric Planet 2. 

Presented by none other than the 'nation's grandad', Sir David Attenborough, whether you're a fan of his other shows Frozen Planet 2 or Wild Isles or the upcoming Planet Earth III, or have kids that are obsessed with dinosaurs, then the new second series of Prehistoric Planet could prove to be the perfect *family time viewing - (* sensitive kids might get a little upset as the show features a lot of scenes of prehistoric animals preying on others. While these images aren't overly bloody, it's clear that the animals are eating each other, and the meat gets a little icky) 

Exploring five new habitats — Islands, Badlands, Swamps, Oceans, and North America — audiences can expect to be transported to the active volcanoes of India, the marshlands of Madagascar, the deep oceans near North America, and so much more. 

Throughout this season, the series and its creators take you up close into dinosaurs’ habitats to experience the dangers, the adventures, and even the camaraderie between species unlike we’ve ever seen before. 

And as you prepare to sit down with the whole family, Apple advises, "Pro tip for hosting your watch party on May 22: Provide plenty of drinks", and we couldn't agree more.

Seven little-known facts about Sir David Attenborough

  1. Where was Sir David Attenborough born? - Sir David Attenborough was born in Isleworth, London in May 1926 and went to Wyggeston Grammar School in Leicester, followed by Clare College in Cambridge where he completed an honours degree in Natural Sciences. 
  2. Believe it or not, he has a whopping 32 honourary degrees - more than anyone else and he keeps them all in a drawer. Speaking about his education feat, he once told The Telegraph, "It’s a compliment from the academic world. It’s a real compliment – it would be churlish not to accept one."
  3. He has not one but 11 plants and animals named after him - including the Hieracium Attenboroughianum, Attenborosaurus Conybeari, Masterpiscis Attenboroughi, Trigonopterus Attenboroughii, Sirdavidia, Ctenocheloides Attenboroughi, Electrotettix Attenboroughi, Prethopalpus Attenboroughi, Nepenthes Attenboroughii, Euptychia Attenboroughi, and Blakea Attenboroughii.
  4. If he hasn't been a broadcaster and explorer he'd have been a teacher.
  5. His family were involved in a global tragedy when he lost his niece and grandniece in the 2004 Thailand tsunami. At the time he said, "I miss Jane and Lucy desperately … I long for her [Jane] to walk through the door now. There are so many things I’d love to talk about."
  6. He once solved a murder - His home once helped solve a historic murder case dating back to the 19th century after some land he wished to build an extension on was excavated in 2011. They found a human head thought to date back to 1879 and be that of a widow who was killed by her housekeeper. Her body was decapitated and fed to nearby children. The housekeeper was arrested and executed for the murders.
  7. He oversaw the launch of the coloured TV before anywhere else in Europe by working as a controller of BBC Two in 1966.

Sir David Attenborough

(Image credit: Getty)

To mark the series launch, natural artist David Popa, the large-scale murals celebrate the incredible natural history of planet earth. He created a larger-than-life landscape art gallery from purely natural materials, including earth pigments, ground shells, charcoal and local chalk, to bring Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops and Hatzegopteryx to life in vivid detail. 

David spent over 12 hours expertly crafting the super-size earth murals, incorporating his love of history, anthropology and contemporary art to create distinct visuals created solely with water sourced from the area to create the beautiful works of eco-art.

Prehistoric Planet 2

(Image credit: AppleTV+)

Prehistoric Planet combines award-winning wildlife filmmaking, the latest paleontology learnings and state-of-the-art technology to unveil the spectacular habitats and inhabitants of ancient Earth for a one-of-a-kind immersive experience.

And not only that but it's produced by the world-renowned team at BBC Studios Natural History Unit with support from the photorealistic visual effects of MPC who has worked on The Lion King and The Jungle Book applied to concept art created by Jellyfish Pictures.

Prehistoric Planet season two continues to bring Earth’s history to life like never before as the series presents new dinosaurs, new habitats and new scientific discoveries while taking viewers around the world in an epic five-night adventure. With new dinosaurs like the Tarchia, one of the largest ankylosaurs, to returning fan-favorites like the Tyrannosaurus rex, and many more, Prehistoric Planet returns with an all-new season of prehistoric wonders.

Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer and Andrew Christie for Bleeding Fingers Music have worked together on the title music. Original score by Zimmer, Anže Rozman and Kara Talve for Bleeding Fingers Music.

“Prehistoric Planet” season two, presented by Sir David Attenborough, premieres today, May 22 on Apple TV+

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Selina Maycock
Senior Family Writer

Selina is a Senior Family Writer for GoodtoKnow and has more than 16 years years of experience. She specialises in royal family news, including the latest activities of Prince George, Charlotte, Louis, Archie and Lilibet. She also covers the latest government, health and charity advice for families. Selina graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a degree in Journalism, and gained her NCTJ and NCE qualifications. During her career, she’s also written for Woman, Woman's Own, Woman&Home, and Woman's Weekly as well as Heat magazine, Bang Showbiz - and the Scunthorpe Telegraph. When she's not covering family news, you can find her exploring new countryside walking routes, catching up with friends over good food, or making memories (including award-winning scarecrows!)