National Geographic’s Most Powerful New Wildlife Series, Queens, Has Arrived
National Geographic’s new series, Queens, tells two very striking and profound stories: the one in front of the camera, which follows six powerful sisterhoods within the animal kingdom, and the one happening behind the scenes, with the first-ever women-led production team for a natural history series. You can’t tell one without the other, and it’s evident in the chill-inducing trailer, which Glamour is exclusively premiering ahead of the series’ debut on Monday, March 4.
About the Series
Narrated by Oscar winner and Glamour Woman of the Year Angela Bassett, Queens examines the impact of the matriarchy from the smallest ant to the largest land and sea mammals. The seven-episode series was filmed over four years in 12 countries and is, without question, one of National Geographic’s most ambitious and crucial projects, both for the future of wildlife and the women telling their stories.
Behind the Scenes
Cinematographer Tania Escobar films bonobos from a tree platform. According to the WWF, “Bonobos and chimpanzees look very similar and both share 98.7% of their DNA with humans—making the two species our closest living relatives.”
Women Empowerment in Wildlife Filmmaking
Queens executive producer Vanessa Berlowitz states, “Queens flips the traditionally male-dominated natural history genre on its head. It charts the little-explored intricacies of the animal queendom—from the raw and heartwarming to the most heart-stopping moments. Through the use of cutting-edge technology, we closely documented these staggering yet inspiring journeys.”
Female Power in Focus
Says Courteney Monroe, president of National Geographic Content, “Queens continues the conversation to showcase that this is not a passing trend but a testament to the universality of female power.”
How to Watch Queens
If you don’t have National Geographic, don’t worry. The series will stream on Hulu and Disney+ on Tuesday, March 5, a day after its Nat Geo premiere. And if you do have National Geographic, even better. The series will begin airing at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on Monday, March 4.
Featured Animal Kingdoms
Six distinct animal communities, including hyenas, elephants, lions, insects, primates, and orcas, will be showcased in Queens.
Episodes Overview
Each episode centers on a different animal kingdom, such as “African Queens,” “Rainforest Queens,” “Tiny Jungle Queens,” “Savanna Queens,” “Mountain Queens,” “Coastal Queens,” and “Behind the Queens.”
Extraordinary Animals in Action
Images captured during filming include African elephants, Ethiopian wolves, lionesses, orcas, brown bears, Euglossa orchid bees, and bonobos.
Female-Led Production
The series was female-led, but men also played crucial roles in supporting and diversifying the team. “We worked with unbelievably supportive male colleagues in the industry who also believed in diversifying,” says Berlowitz.
Future of Wildlife Filmmaking
Queens sets a new standard in natural history storytelling by highlighting the power of women in wildlife filmmaking and promoting diversity and inclusion in the field.
Stay tuned for more updates and behind-the-scenes stories from Queens in early March!