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Sir Ranulph and Joseph Fiennes retrace Sir Ranulph’s pioneering 1971 expedition through the untamed landscapesBrand-new two-part documentary produced by Woodcut Media and The Development PartnershipSeries premiering Sunday 26th May at 8:00pm exclusively on National Geographic
Link to Key Art: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/i2lsclrqohqsau9oizmpn/NG_FiennesReturnToTheWild_Portrait.png?rlkey=yzylz2y0m2mob7z5dznfn9b67&dl=0
LONDON, United Kingdom (11 April 2024) – Embracing the channel’s award-winning legacy of global exploration and a dedication to authentic storytelling, National Geographic proudly presents “Fiennes: Return to the Wild,” a ground-breaking two-part documentary series premiering on Sunday 26th May at 8:00pm, followed by the second episode on Sunday 2nd June at 8:00pm. Featuring Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Joseph Fiennes, this captivating exploration of the Canadian wilderness promises audiences a blend of adventure, resilience, and familial bonds.
Throughout much of Joseph's life, Sir Ranulph's adventures have taken him far from home, from conquering Mount Everest to braving the icy depths of the South Pole. Five years ago, Joseph had the privilege of joining his cousin Sir Ranulph on an extraordinary journey, retracing his daring 1969 expedition up the river Nile. This experience provided them with the opportunity to reconnect and reminisce on the moments they missed out on together, fostering a deep bond that laid the groundwork for their latest endeavour.
Now, Joseph eagerly anticipates the opportunity to embark on a new adventure with Sir Ranulph, tracing the footsteps of his pioneering 1971 expedition through the open expanses of Canada. As they journey through the picturesque landscapes, Joseph looks forward to delving deeper into the essence of his cousin, uncovering the man behind the legendary explorer.
Featuring rare archive footage of Sir Ranulph's past expeditions, interwoven with modern-day footage of their Canadian wilderness adventure, “Fiennes: Return to the Wild” offers an intimate glimpse into Sir Ranulph Fiennes' remarkable life. This is a unique opportunity to witness his unwavering determination and resilience as he reflects on past triumphs and challenges, from surviving Antarctica's harsh conditions to navigating treacherous rivers.
And as their Canadian adventure unfolds, this exceptional series transforms into a heartfelt love letter from Joseph to Sir Ranulph. We hear Sir Ranulph candidly discussing his health, including his recent diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease, while the show uniquely addresses themes of male aging, frailty, and love, all delivered in a poignant and uplifting manner that is rarely seen on television.
Joseph Fiennes says: “Embarking on this adventure with Ran has been a profound journey of rediscovery and connection for me. It's not just about conquering physical challenges; it's about rekindling the bonds of family and embracing life's unpredictable twists. I invite everyone to join us on this remarkable expedition, where we explore the depths of friendship, resilience, and the beauty of shared experiences.”
Sir Ranulph Fiennes adds: "Completing this journey with Joseph and exploring the beautiful Canadian scenery has been more than just an adventure; it's been a reunion of hearts and spirits. Together, we've rediscovered the strength of our bond and the power of shared experiences. Retracing the route of my 1971 adventure has been immensely fulfilling, made even more enjoyable by experiencing it with a family member. This has been a truly unforgettable journey for me, and I am delighted to be able to share it with viewers on National Geographic."
With beautiful cinematography and compelling storytelling, ‘Fiennes: Return to the Wild,’ which has been brought to screens with the help of show sponsor Destination Canada – Canada's national tourism organisation, promoting the country's attractions and destinations to travellers worldwide – promises to inspire and captivate audiences, inviting them to experience the thrill of adventure, the splendour of the natural world, and, most importantly, the enduring spirit of familial love that unites us all.
The documentary is a Woodcut Media and The Development Partnership co-production.
Fiennes: Return to the Wild premieres Sunday 26th May at 8:00pm, exclusively on National Geographic.
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Notes to Editors
About National Geographic Content
Award-winning and critically acclaimed National Geographic Content, part of a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, creates and delivers riveting stories and experiences in natural history, science, adventure and exploration. Inspiring a deeper connection to the world, the content studio reaches 300 million people worldwide in 180 countries and 33 languages across the global National Geographic channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO), National Geographic Documentary Films, and direct-to-consumer platforms Disney+ and Hulu. Its diverse content includes Emmy® Award-winning franchise Genius, series Life Below Zero and Secrets of the Whales, and Oscar®- and BAFTA award-winning film Free Solo. In 2022, National Geographic Content was awarded eight News and Documentary Emmys, in addition to Life Below Zero’s Emmy win for Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Program, its sixth Emmy overall. For more information, visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or follow Nat Geo on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
About Destination Canada
At Destination Canada, we believe that tourism enhances the wealth and wellbeing of Canadians and enriches the lives of visitors. Our mission is to influence supply and build demand for the benefit of locals, communities and visitors through leading research, alignment with public and private sectors, and marketing Canada nationally and abroad.
Knowing that diversity is our greatest asset, we promote Canada as a premier four-season leisure and business tourism destination around the country and world in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, United Kingdom and the United States.
Destination Canada is a Crown corporation wholly owned by the Government of Canada https://www.destinationcanada.com/en
About Woodcut Media
Founded by award-winning producer Kate Beal in 2014, UK indie prodco Woodcut Media is a female-led operation with a diverse team at its core, whose main ethos is to provide an honest and trusted voice - creating programming that tells incredible human stories with creativity, authenticity, and care. As well as being one of the leading true crime doc producers in the UK, Woodcut also specialises in a broad range of standout unscripted content covering factual entertainment, specialist factual, and premium/talent led programming. Titles include Confessions of a Psycho Killer (Amazon Prime Video), long-running series World’s Most Evil Killers/Britain’s Most Evil Killers (8 seasons), Fiennes: Return to the Nile with Joseph and Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Cut from a Different Cloth, Mandela, My Dad and Me, both featuring Idris Elba, Hitler: A Life in Pictures, and Paranormal Captured to name just a few. In 2020, Woodcut launched distribution company Woodcut International. www.woodcutmedia.com
About The Development Partnership
The Development Partnership is a production company, sitting within The Partnership Group that champions both emerging and established voices, all of whom have something to say. Matchmaking specific talent with specific IP in a tailored approach, The Development Partnership provides a bespoke experience to their many industry partners with collaboration at the centre of the development process. Previous productions include CLOSE TO ME, a 6x60 psychological thriller for Channel 4 and Viaplay starring Connie Nielsen and Christopher Ecclestone, which TX'd on Channel 4 in 2021, ROGUE AGENT, a feature film from Adam Patterson and Declan Lawn (THE SALISBURY POISONINGS) starring James Norton and Gemma Arterton, co-produced with James Norton’s production company Rabbit Track Pictures, and 6x30 single-camera comedy QUEEN OF OZ for BBC/ABC/Fifth Season, written by and starring Catherine Tate. TDP are currently in production for KING AND CONQUEROR, an 8x60 historical fiction series for the BBC and CBS.
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