Real reason Tom Hanks replaced David Attenborough for new BBC documentary The Americas. (Image: BBC/Getty)
The latest wildlife documentary, The Americas, is back on screens tonight (March 9). However, some might be taken aback as the soothing voice of won’t be narrating this edition. The creators behind Sir David’s acclaimed Planet Earth and Blue Planet series have crafted The Americas, but star has been chosen to provide the narration. The series will also feature music from and -winning composer Hans Zimmer.
The series, a five-year project involving over 180 expeditions, “showcases the wonders, secrets and fragilities” of the Americas. It also includes remarkable and unheard wildlife stories that the makers believe will “deeply connect with millions”. Discussing his decision to lend his voice to the series, Tom Hanks stated: “When the opportunity arose to be the voice of The Americas, I said, ‘I think I’ve lived for that opportunity’.
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Tom Hanks narrates BBC’s The Americas. (Image: BBC)
“I knew that I would be learning an awful lot. I wanted to be on the front line. I feel lucky to be a part of this extraordinary project of capturing something that is so real that it’s irrefutable to anybody who watches it. And it’s just glorious to be a part of that.”
While veteran broadcaster David Attenborough is notably absent from fronting the series, Mike Gunton, executive producer of Planet Earth, was resolute in his choice, stating: “Tom was the obvious person to do it.”
Gunton elaborated on the reason behind his certainty: “And I’ll tell you why because, and I think it’s been proved now we’ve done it, is that these shows are not just told.
“If they work really well, the audience have an experience where they don’t lean back on it. They lean forward, they’re involved, and the intensity of the stories, if you get them right, they’re very visceral.
“They’re very empathetic. They should get under your skin. And the skill of being able to weave the different emotions that the animals feel and relate to without it being too anthropomorphic.”
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Mike Gunton explained why Tom Hanks has replaced David Attenborough. (Image: BBC)
Gunton added that making a documentary feel relatable is “really, really hard”, but that he “just knew Tom would be able to do it”.
He continued: “It’s critical because some of these stories are quite intense, and people kind of need their hands held sometimes. ‘It’s going to be okay,’ or actually, ‘this is really weird,’ or ‘this is really beautiful,’ and be able to lead people and to set up the tone because it is dramatic.
“To be able to tick all those boxes is incredibly hard thing to do. And Tom did it,” reports .
David Attenborough celebrates his 99th birthday this year. (Image: Getty)
The synopsis for The Americas boasts: “The Americas’ unprecedented scale and ambition delivers remarkable world firsts; new species, new intimate courtship, dramatic deep sea hunting and some of nature’s strangest stories, even a frog that seems to defy death every day.
“Each episode features a different iconic location across the Americas: The Atlantic Coast, Mexico, The Wild West, The Amazon, The Frozen North, The Gulf Coast, The Andes, The Caribbean, The West Coast and Patagonia.”
Broadcasting legend Sir David, who has graced the for over 70 years and is set to celebrate his 99th birthday in 2025, lent his voice last year to the ‘s Mammals series.