Exclusive: Ashley Hoppin, who oversaw animal-based programming across Nat Geo and Disney+, has joined Red Rock Films, the company behind Sigourney Weaver-narrated Secrets of the Whales.
Hoppin, who spent close to 20 years at the factual giant, will steer content creation for the production company as it looks to expand future capabilities.
It comes after the company won the Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series Emmy for Secrets of the Whales.
Hoppin was previously VP, Production at Nat Geo, where she oversaw over 1,000 hours of content including Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Savage Kingdom, Hidden Kingdoms of China and Wild Yellowstone.
Red Rock Films is also behind Netflix’s Penguin Town, Nat Geo’s Shark Attack Files and World’s Biggest Bull Shark and Discovery’s MotherSharker.
Her appointment follows several recent hires and promotions including Sari Wiener as Senior Vice President of Production Management and Kevin Krug to Director of Operations.
Hoppin, who spent close to 20 years at the factual giant, will steer content creation for the production company as it looks to expand future capabilities.
It comes after the company won the Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series Emmy for Secrets of the Whales.
Hoppin was previously VP, Production at Nat Geo, where she oversaw over 1,000 hours of content including Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Savage Kingdom, Hidden Kingdoms of China and Wild Yellowstone.
Red Rock Films is also behind Netflix’s Penguin Town, Nat Geo’s Shark Attack Files and World’s Biggest Bull Shark and Discovery’s MotherSharker.
Her appointment follows several recent hires and promotions including Sari Wiener as Senior Vice President of Production Management and Kevin Krug to Director of Operations.
- 2/17/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The World According to Jeff Goldblum producer Nutopia is bolstering its executive team in the U.S. with the hire of former Nat Geo executive Geoff Daniels.
Daniels, who was previously EVP, Global Unscripted Entertainment at the Disney-owned factual broadcaster, will become EVP, Unscripted Entertainment at Jane Root’s Nutopia.
He will work across all series in production, manage program marketing and help to liaise with Nutopia’s production partners and talent. Based in the U.S., he will report to founder and CEO Root.
Daniels, who left Nat Geo as part of a broader restructure across Disney in December, previously oversaw all development and production for unscripted programming for National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo Wild and Nat Geo on Disney+. He commissioned Nutopia series The World According to Jeff Goldblum and Chris Hemsworth’s Limitless. Before that, launched Nat Geo Wild and helped grow the network with series...
Daniels, who was previously EVP, Global Unscripted Entertainment at the Disney-owned factual broadcaster, will become EVP, Unscripted Entertainment at Jane Root’s Nutopia.
He will work across all series in production, manage program marketing and help to liaise with Nutopia’s production partners and talent. Based in the U.S., he will report to founder and CEO Root.
Daniels, who left Nat Geo as part of a broader restructure across Disney in December, previously oversaw all development and production for unscripted programming for National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo Wild and Nat Geo on Disney+. He commissioned Nutopia series The World According to Jeff Goldblum and Chris Hemsworth’s Limitless. Before that, launched Nat Geo Wild and helped grow the network with series...
- 9/1/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Per Emmy tradition, all of the guest acting contenders had to designate their episode submissions on the initial nominations ballot, so we already know all of the entries for the Best Drama Guest Actor nominees. The 2021 Emmy nominees for this category are Don Cheadle (“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”), Charles Dance (“The Crown”), Timothy Olyphant (“The Mandalorian”), Courtney B. Vance (“Lovecraft Country”) and Carl Weathers (“The Mandalorian”). Scroll down to see which episodes the Emmy voters will be watching to judge the nominees’ performances.
SEEHannah Einbinder (‘Hacks’): Emmys 2021 episode submission revealed
Cheadle’s submission for “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” is “New World Order,” which streamed March 19 on Disney+ as the first episode of Season 1. Emmy ballot description: “Colonel James Rhodes / War Machine (Cheadle) is an officer with the United States Air Force and a member of the Avengers. He is present when Sam Wilson donates Captain...
SEEHannah Einbinder (‘Hacks’): Emmys 2021 episode submission revealed
Cheadle’s submission for “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” is “New World Order,” which streamed March 19 on Disney+ as the first episode of Season 1. Emmy ballot description: “Colonel James Rhodes / War Machine (Cheadle) is an officer with the United States Air Force and a member of the Avengers. He is present when Sam Wilson donates Captain...
- 7/21/2021
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
“Attenborough’s Life in Colour” producer Humble Bee Films has hired long-time Icon Films executive Stephen McQuillan as its creative director.
McQuillan will oversee the growth of Humble Bee Films’ factual arm, developing science, history and specialist factual programming, while also building on the company’s slate of blue-chip factual productions, which includes BBC One, Netflix and Channel Nine Australia natural history co-production “Attenborough’s Life in Colour.”
McQuillan previously served as creative director at Bristol-based Icon Films, producers of “Savage Kingdom” for Nat Geo and “Mysteries of the Deep” for Discovery. The company famously produced the Jeremy Wade-fronted “River Monsters” for Animal Planet across nine seasons.
During his eight years at Icon Films, McQuillan helped to expand the outfit’s business with projects such as “Unknown Amazon With Pedro Andrade” for Vice Media Group, “Malawi Wildlife Rescue” for Blue Ant Media, “Mysteries of the Deep” for Science Channel...
McQuillan will oversee the growth of Humble Bee Films’ factual arm, developing science, history and specialist factual programming, while also building on the company’s slate of blue-chip factual productions, which includes BBC One, Netflix and Channel Nine Australia natural history co-production “Attenborough’s Life in Colour.”
McQuillan previously served as creative director at Bristol-based Icon Films, producers of “Savage Kingdom” for Nat Geo and “Mysteries of the Deep” for Discovery. The company famously produced the Jeremy Wade-fronted “River Monsters” for Animal Planet across nine seasons.
During his eight years at Icon Films, McQuillan helped to expand the outfit’s business with projects such as “Unknown Amazon With Pedro Andrade” for Vice Media Group, “Malawi Wildlife Rescue” for Blue Ant Media, “Mysteries of the Deep” for Science Channel...
- 3/4/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Vice TV and Vice World News have jointly commissioned a six-part documentary series from British factual producers Icon Films exploring the diversity of the Amazon rainforest.
“Unknown Amazon with Pedro Andrade” (6 x 60′) will show the real modern-day Amazonia through an exploration of the Amazon Basin, meeting a different group of people who live there in each episode.
Andrade is a Brazilian author, journalist and TV presenter. Currently based in New York, his own show “Pedro Pelo Mondo” is one of the top shows on Brazilian broadcast giant Globo and reaches an average 7.5 million viewers weekly. In the U.S., Andrade is familiar to audiences through his work on “Nightline” and “Good Morning America.”
“Unknown Amazon” will debut on Vice TV in 2021 in the U.S. and globally. Executive Producers for Icon Films are Stephen McQuillan, Laura Marshall and Andrade. Series director is Charlie Bingham, while Falguni Lakhani Adams is executive...
“Unknown Amazon with Pedro Andrade” (6 x 60′) will show the real modern-day Amazonia through an exploration of the Amazon Basin, meeting a different group of people who live there in each episode.
Andrade is a Brazilian author, journalist and TV presenter. Currently based in New York, his own show “Pedro Pelo Mondo” is one of the top shows on Brazilian broadcast giant Globo and reaches an average 7.5 million viewers weekly. In the U.S., Andrade is familiar to audiences through his work on “Nightline” and “Good Morning America.”
“Unknown Amazon” will debut on Vice TV in 2021 in the U.S. and globally. Executive Producers for Icon Films are Stephen McQuillan, Laura Marshall and Andrade. Series director is Charlie Bingham, while Falguni Lakhani Adams is executive...
- 2/12/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Though every week is Big Cat Week in our hearts, it’s about to officially be Big Cat Week over at Nat Geo Wild.
The premise here is simple. In similar fashion to Sharkfest 2020 before it (which ran for five weeks), National Geographic’s animal-focused channel will be rolling out big cat-centric programming for five days next week. Big Cat Week starts on Monday, Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. Et and runs through Friday, Sept. 11.
The first catty offering from Nat Geo Wild is the documentary Jade Eyed Leopard, from notable National Geographic filmmakers and founders of the Big Cat Initiative Beverly and Dereck Joubert. Jade Eyed Leopard premieres Monday, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. Et. The hour-long special follows a young leopard named Toto through the turbulent first three years of her life. Toto has aquamarine-colored eyes, which is an extremely rare trait in leopards. The documentary also uses the thermal-night-vision...
The premise here is simple. In similar fashion to Sharkfest 2020 before it (which ran for five weeks), National Geographic’s animal-focused channel will be rolling out big cat-centric programming for five days next week. Big Cat Week starts on Monday, Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. Et and runs through Friday, Sept. 11.
The first catty offering from Nat Geo Wild is the documentary Jade Eyed Leopard, from notable National Geographic filmmakers and founders of the Big Cat Initiative Beverly and Dereck Joubert. Jade Eyed Leopard premieres Monday, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. Et. The hour-long special follows a young leopard named Toto through the turbulent first three years of her life. Toto has aquamarine-colored eyes, which is an extremely rare trait in leopards. The documentary also uses the thermal-night-vision...
- 9/2/2020
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Nat Geo has set its slate for the fall season, Variety has learned exclusively.
Six natural history global series and specials will debut this fall. Those include the digital premiere of the documentary film “Akashinga: The Brave Ones” from three-time Academy Award winner James Cameron and director Maria Wilhelm. The film will debut on World Elephant Day on Aug. 12. The one-hour special “Jade Eyed Leopard” will debut Sept. 7 on Nat Geo Wild, with that special narrated by Jeremy Irons. Nat Geo Wild Fridays on National Geographic Channel will launch on Aug. 14 with the Season 4 premiere of “Savage Kingdom.”
The full slate can be viewed below.
“Visually spectacular cinematography that will take your breath away. Awe-inspiring narratives told from the animal’s perspective,” said Geoff Daniels, executive vice president of unscripted global entertainment for National Geographic Channels. “Exploring the hidden phenomena of our planet. These are all hallmarks of National Geographic natural history programming.
Six natural history global series and specials will debut this fall. Those include the digital premiere of the documentary film “Akashinga: The Brave Ones” from three-time Academy Award winner James Cameron and director Maria Wilhelm. The film will debut on World Elephant Day on Aug. 12. The one-hour special “Jade Eyed Leopard” will debut Sept. 7 on Nat Geo Wild, with that special narrated by Jeremy Irons. Nat Geo Wild Fridays on National Geographic Channel will launch on Aug. 14 with the Season 4 premiere of “Savage Kingdom.”
The full slate can be viewed below.
“Visually spectacular cinematography that will take your breath away. Awe-inspiring narratives told from the animal’s perspective,” said Geoff Daniels, executive vice president of unscripted global entertainment for National Geographic Channels. “Exploring the hidden phenomena of our planet. These are all hallmarks of National Geographic natural history programming.
- 7/30/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
“Game of Thrones” and “His Dark Materials” actor Lucian Msamati is to narrate wildlife documentary film “Okavango – A Flood of Life” from “River Monsters” producer Icon Films, which has partnered with international producer-distributor Fremantle on global sales.
Originally filmed in full 8K, the documentary special explores Africa’s greatest oasis, the Okavango Delta, and is told through the eyes of the region’s indigenous river people.
Commissioned by Japanese broadcaster Nhk last year, “Okavango – A Flood of Life” sees veteran natural history filmmaker Brad Bestelink and his team at Natural History Film Unit use the latest technology to film a full seasonal cycle on the Delta.
Botswana-born Bestelink has spent most of his life living and working in the Delta. His credits include two-part documentary, “The Flood,” for National Geographic, which was set in the Delta, and “Savage Kingdom”, also for Nat Geo.
Fremantle will be distributing an HD version...
Originally filmed in full 8K, the documentary special explores Africa’s greatest oasis, the Okavango Delta, and is told through the eyes of the region’s indigenous river people.
Commissioned by Japanese broadcaster Nhk last year, “Okavango – A Flood of Life” sees veteran natural history filmmaker Brad Bestelink and his team at Natural History Film Unit use the latest technology to film a full seasonal cycle on the Delta.
Botswana-born Bestelink has spent most of his life living and working in the Delta. His credits include two-part documentary, “The Flood,” for National Geographic, which was set in the Delta, and “Savage Kingdom”, also for Nat Geo.
Fremantle will be distributing an HD version...
- 4/15/2020
- by Tim Dams
- Variety Film + TV
Nat Geo Wild has renewed “Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet,” “Dr. K’s Exotic Animal ER,” “The Incredible Dr. Pol,” “Secrets of the Zoo,” “Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa” and “Savage Kingdom,” TheWrap has learned exclusively.
A third “Secrets of the Zoo” installment, the “Down Under” version, has been ordered to series. Aussie actress Naomi Watts will narrate that version.
Additionally, Nat Geo Wild has ordered three new vet shows and two new zoo ones, among other series, including “The Real Black Panther.”
Also Read: 'Genius': Nat Geo Shares First Look at Cynthia Erivo as Aretha Franklin (Photo)
TheWrap’s got your first look at “The Real Black Panther” in the video above. This cat runs into a Killmonger of his own — in the form of a leopard named Scarface.
Geoff Daniels, executive vice president of global unscripted entertainment for National Geographic Global Networks, has a lot to say about how...
A third “Secrets of the Zoo” installment, the “Down Under” version, has been ordered to series. Aussie actress Naomi Watts will narrate that version.
Additionally, Nat Geo Wild has ordered three new vet shows and two new zoo ones, among other series, including “The Real Black Panther.”
Also Read: 'Genius': Nat Geo Shares First Look at Cynthia Erivo as Aretha Franklin (Photo)
TheWrap’s got your first look at “The Real Black Panther” in the video above. This cat runs into a Killmonger of his own — in the form of a leopard named Scarface.
Geoff Daniels, executive vice president of global unscripted entertainment for National Geographic Global Networks, has a lot to say about how...
- 1/17/2020
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
It might be hard to believe, but Angela Bassett has never won an Emmy before. She’s now her fifth nomination after making the Best Narrator lineup for her work on Nat Geo’s “The Flood.” If she prevails, not only will she get her first statuette, but she and husband Courtney B. Vance will join the club of Emmy-winning married couples.
Vance has a perfect record at the Emmys, converting his first nomination into a win in 2016 in Best Limited Series/TV Movie Actor for his performance as Johnnie Cochran on “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.” He gave a brief but memorable speech in which he dedicated the award to his wife of now nearly 22 years — or “the woman that rocks my chain.” #truelove
Bassett’s previous nominations were for “The Rosa Parks Story”, “American Horror Story: Coven”, “American Horror Story: Freak Show” and “Master of None”. In “The Flood,...
Vance has a perfect record at the Emmys, converting his first nomination into a win in 2016 in Best Limited Series/TV Movie Actor for his performance as Johnnie Cochran on “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.” He gave a brief but memorable speech in which he dedicated the award to his wife of now nearly 22 years — or “the woman that rocks my chain.” #truelove
Bassett’s previous nominations were for “The Rosa Parks Story”, “American Horror Story: Coven”, “American Horror Story: Freak Show” and “Master of None”. In “The Flood,...
- 7/18/2019
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
With all eyes on the major Emmy nominees in star-studded contests, let’s not forget that well over 40 familiar faces are popping up in lesser-publicized categories. Most of these winners will be announced at the Creative Arts Emmys in two separate ceremonies on September 14 and 15, a week before the primetime telecast on September 22. Check out the complete list of nominations here.
The Best Narrator category is filled with stars, including Emmy mainstays Sir David Attenborough (“Our Planet”), Angela Bassett (“The Flood”), Charles Dance (“Savage Kingdom”) and Liev Schreiber (“The Many Lives of Nick Buoniconti”). First-time nominees Juliet Stevenson (“Queens of Mystery”) and Anthony Mendez (“Wonders of Mexico”) round out the contenders. Attenborough is the reigning champion in the category, having prevailed last year for narrating the nature doc “Blue Planet II.”
See 2019 Emmy nominations: HBO reclaims bragging rights as top network in contention at the 71st Emmy Awards
The Short...
The Best Narrator category is filled with stars, including Emmy mainstays Sir David Attenborough (“Our Planet”), Angela Bassett (“The Flood”), Charles Dance (“Savage Kingdom”) and Liev Schreiber (“The Many Lives of Nick Buoniconti”). First-time nominees Juliet Stevenson (“Queens of Mystery”) and Anthony Mendez (“Wonders of Mexico”) round out the contenders. Attenborough is the reigning champion in the category, having prevailed last year for narrating the nature doc “Blue Planet II.”
See 2019 Emmy nominations: HBO reclaims bragging rights as top network in contention at the 71st Emmy Awards
The Short...
- 7/16/2019
- by Zach Laws
- Gold Derby
In a Gold Derby exclusive, we have learned the category placements of the key Emmy Awards contenders for NatGeo. For this season, the cable network has such scripted programs as “The Hot Zone” (Julianna Margulies) and “Valley of the Boom” (Bradley Whitford) plus nonfiction projects as Oscar winner “Free Solo,” “Life Below Zero” and “Hostile Planet” as part of their 2019 campaign.
Below, the list of National Geographic lead and supporting submissions for their limited series plus other documentaries and shows. More names might be added by the network on the final Emmy ballot. Also note that performers not included on this list may well be submitted by their personal reps.
SEEJulianna Margulies Interview: ‘The Hot Zone’
“The Flood”
Narrator – Angela Bassett
“Free Solo”
Merit in Documentary Filmmaking
“Hostile Planet”
Documentary or Nonfiction Series
Narrator – Bear Grylls
“The Hot Zone”
Limited Series
Movie/Limited Series Actress – Julianna Margulies
Movie/Limited Series Supporting Actor – Liam Cunningham,...
Below, the list of National Geographic lead and supporting submissions for their limited series plus other documentaries and shows. More names might be added by the network on the final Emmy ballot. Also note that performers not included on this list may well be submitted by their personal reps.
SEEJulianna Margulies Interview: ‘The Hot Zone’
“The Flood”
Narrator – Angela Bassett
“Free Solo”
Merit in Documentary Filmmaking
“Hostile Planet”
Documentary or Nonfiction Series
Narrator – Bear Grylls
“The Hot Zone”
Limited Series
Movie/Limited Series Actress – Julianna Margulies
Movie/Limited Series Supporting Actor – Liam Cunningham,...
- 4/24/2019
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
As a fourth generation Botswanan, filmmaker Brad Bestelink spent his entire life watching the waters of the Okavango Delta rise every winter, bringing with them elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, hyenas and other awe-inspiring animals. Now he is sharing that experience with a wide audience through his new two-part documentary, “The Flood,” for National Geographic.
“It’s so bizarre to see that change,” Bestelink tells Variety. “You really have to see a cycle to really understand it — to really metabolize what it’s about. Eight thousand square kilometers of Savannah becomes water, basically. It’s not just a tidal shift. It’s naturally a complete change of environment.”
“The Flood,” which is narrated by Angela Bassett, focuses on the biodiversity in the Okavango Delta, showing just how many animals come together in one area. During the winter, when the Okavango waters rise, the animals descend on the area. And as the waters recede,...
“It’s so bizarre to see that change,” Bestelink tells Variety. “You really have to see a cycle to really understand it — to really metabolize what it’s about. Eight thousand square kilometers of Savannah becomes water, basically. It’s not just a tidal shift. It’s naturally a complete change of environment.”
“The Flood,” which is narrated by Angela Bassett, focuses on the biodiversity in the Okavango Delta, showing just how many animals come together in one area. During the winter, when the Okavango waters rise, the animals descend on the area. And as the waters recede,...
- 11/23/2018
- by Jean Bentley
- Variety Film + TV
In a Gold Derby exclusive, we have learned the category placements of the key Emmy Awards contenders for NatGeo. For this season, the cable network has a new installment of “Genius” titled “Genius: Picasso” (Antonio Banderas), the limited series “The Long Road Home”, documentary “Jane” and informational series “One Strange Rock” as part of their 2018 campaign.
Below, the list of NatGeo lead and supporting submissions for their limited series and info for other genres. More names might be added by the network on the final Emmy ballot. Also note that performers not included on this list may well be submitted by their personal reps.
SEEAntonio Banderas (‘Genius: Picasso’) explains why he was ‘afraid’ to play the famed Spanish artist [Watch]
“Chain Of Command”
Narrator – Chris Evans
“Dian Fossey: Secrets In The Mist”
Narrator – Sigourney Weaver
“Earth Live”
Variety Special (Live)
“Genius: Picasso”
Limited Series
Movie/Limited Series Actor – Antonio Banderas
Movie...
Below, the list of NatGeo lead and supporting submissions for their limited series and info for other genres. More names might be added by the network on the final Emmy ballot. Also note that performers not included on this list may well be submitted by their personal reps.
SEEAntonio Banderas (‘Genius: Picasso’) explains why he was ‘afraid’ to play the famed Spanish artist [Watch]
“Chain Of Command”
Narrator – Chris Evans
“Dian Fossey: Secrets In The Mist”
Narrator – Sigourney Weaver
“Earth Live”
Variety Special (Live)
“Genius: Picasso”
Limited Series
Movie/Limited Series Actor – Antonio Banderas
Movie...
- 5/10/2018
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
It’s almost big cat week on Nat Geo Wild and Savage Kingdom is a front-row seat to the world of the majestic king of the jungle. In our exclusive clip from the coming special Savage Kingdom: Uprising, narrated by Game of Thrones star Charles Dance, a brutal fact of life is shown as mature male lion Sekekama is being usurped by younger males. What’s more, his harem of female lions appears to be warming towards their bold advances. In the premiere, three rising prince lions have their hungry eyes on Sekekama, the king of the marsh pride, who is poised to...read more...
- 11/14/2017
- by April Neale
- Monsters and Critics
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