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NATURE: Attenborough's Life Journey

Sir David Attenborough holding a Goliath Beetle. From Micro Monsters with David Attenborough (2013).
Angus Young / © Atlantic Productions
/
PBS
Sir David Attenborough holding a Goliath Beetle. From Micro Monsters with David Attenborough (2013).

Stream now with KPBS Passport on KPBS+ / Watch Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 8 p.m. on KPBS TV

As Sir David Attenborough enters his 98th year, this unique and charming film documents the highlights of his incredible life. Follow Attenborough’s journey from his boyhood days as a fossil hunter, through his early days as a host on Zoo Quest, to his programs using pioneering technology of the day such as 3D and 4K.

An intimate portrait of Sir David Attenborough’s life, from his boyhood days as a fossil hunter, through his early days as a BBC host, to his revered status as the foremost natural history presenter.

This intimate portrait depicts Attenborough’s years on the road, from the islands of the Galapagos to the mountains of Canada to the jungles of Borneo.

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Witness Sir David’s love of fossils as a young boy in Leicester transform into a passion for the natural world in his field of study at Cambridge. From his early days as a presenter on BBC’s Zoo Quest, Attenborough rose through the ranks to become the foremost natural history presenter in the world.

Combining exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, candid interviews with Sir David on location, and stunning excerpts from his ground-breaking documentaries, this episode captures an Attenborough you have never seen before.

Sir David Attenborough at Mummery ice field, Canada, filming for David Attenborough’s First Life (2010).
Anthony Geffen / © Atlantic Productions
/
PBS
Sir David Attenborough at Mummery ice field, Canada, filming for David Attenborough’s First Life (2010).

Watch On Your Schedule: Stream now with KPBS+ is a new free streaming video app designed for ease and enjoyment everywhere you watch including Roku, smart TVs and mobile devices. It’s locally curated for San Diego by the KPBS programming team. With a clean and intuitive design, discovering and enjoying KPBS and PBS content on-demand has never been easier.

You can also tune in live to watch our four TV channels in real time: KPBS, KPBS 2, Create, KPBS Kids 24/7. We also added a new channel - FNX (First Nation Experience).

Your KPBS Passport member benefit works on KPBS+ too! You’ll have access to even more great shows when you simply log in with your KPBS Passport account.

David Attenborough's team plans an ambitious sequence with swans, but filming with animals is never straightforward. Go behind the scenes of David Attenborough's infamous sequence with flying swans as they navigate the complexities of capturing this spectacular moment.

Credits: Production of Atlantic Productions in association with The WNET Group. Oliver Twinch is director and Anthony Geffen is executive producer. Narration by Tom Park. For NATURE, Fred Kaufman is executive producer, Bill Murphy is series producer and Janet Hess is series editor. NATURE is a production of The WNET Group.

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Sir David Attenborough on top of a reef surrounding Heron Island, Australia. From David Attenborough’s Great Barrier Reef (2015).
Mark Tipple / © Atlantic Productions
/
PBS
Sir David Attenborough on top of a reef surrounding Heron Island, Australia. From David Attenborough’s Great Barrier Reef (2015).

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