Twenty-six years after the original series changed how audiences saw prehistoric life, a new generation of Walking with Dinosaurs has arrived. The 2025 revival, a six-part miniseries from BBC Studios, blends active paleontological digs with photorealistic computer-generated imagery to create what the BBC calls a “gripping dinosaur drama.” No crew from the landmark 1999 series returned for this project, which instead builds on decades of new fossil discoveries and advances in visual effects.
The series follows individual dinosaurs whose skeletons are being unearthed at real excavation sites around the world. Each episode interweaves the work of field scientists with a dramatized CGI reenactment of that animal’s life, from hunting to mating to death. The result is a documentary that aims to be as scientifically rigorous as it is visually spectacular.
Production was announced on June 4, 2024, with BBC Studios producing in association with PBS, ZDF, and France Télévisions. The companion book, Walking with Dinosaurs by Andrew Cohen, Helen Thomas, and Kirsty Wilson, was published by DK in June 2025. No physical media release date has been announced as of mid-2025.
When is the release date of Walking with Dinosaurs 2025?
Key insights about the 2025 series
- The 2025 revival uses cutting-edge visual effects based on the latest paleontological discoveries, setting a new standard for dinosaur documentaries.
- Unlike the original 1999 series which used CGI and animatronics, the 2025 series relies entirely on photorealistic CGI blended with live-action environments.
- Early reviews praise the anatomical accuracy and storytelling, but note some departures from the original’s narrative structure.
- The series is a full reboot, not a sequel, drawing from the same concept but covering different species and time periods.
- A companion book, Walking with Dinosaurs by Andrew Cohen, Helen Thomas, and Kirsty Wilson, was released alongside the series, providing additional background on the science and production.
Key Facts About Walking with Dinosaurs 2025
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Announcement date | June 4, 2024 (BBC) |
| Number of parts | 6 |
| UK premiere | May 25, 2025 on BBC One at 6:25 PM |
| US premiere | June 16, 2025 on PBS (two episodes per night) |
| Narrator | Bertie Carvel (revealed April 10, 2025) |
| Producers | BBC Studios, PBS, ZDF, France Télévisions |
| Companion book | Walking with Dinosaurs by Cohen, Thomas, Wilson (DK, June 2025) |
| Featured dinosaurs | Spinosaurus, Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus rex, Lusotitan, Pachyrhinosaurus, Albertosaurus |
| Target audience | General audience, family-friendly |
| DVD/Blu-ray | No official announcement as of mid-2025 |
Where to watch Walking with Dinosaurs 2025 and streaming options
In the United Kingdom, all six episodes were made available on BBC iPlayer from May 25, 2025, coinciding with the BBC One broadcast. The first episode aired on BBC One on Sunday, May 25 at 6:25 PM. The original 1999 series is also available on BBC iPlayer, according to Discover Wildlife.
In the United States, PBS presented the series as a three-night event from June 16 to June 18, 2025, with two episodes airing each night from 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET. Stations such as WPBS in Watertown, New York confirmed this schedule. Episodes became available on the PBS app and website after broadcast.
International viewers can access the series through several platforms. In Australia, ABC TV and ABC iview carry the show. In China, it is available via iQIYI. The BBC Earth website lists PBS as the US broadcaster and provides additional information about the series at BBC Earth.
As of May 2026, the series is likely still available on-demand via these platforms. No official expiration date has been announced for any region.
Regarding physical media, no information has been found on a DVD, Blu-ray, or other home video release. The companion book is the only physical product confirmed as of mid-2025.
Who is the narrator and cast of Walking with Dinosaurs 2025?
The series is narrated by British actor Bertie Carvel, known for roles in The Crown and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. His involvement was revealed alongside the first official trailer on April 10, 2025, which can be viewed on the BBC Earth YouTube channel.
As a nature documentary, Walking with Dinosaurs 2025 has no traditional cast of human actors. The CGI-animated dinosaurs serve as the protagonists, with their stories told entirely through Carvel’s narration. The series also features world-leading paleontologists at dig sites, though specific names of on-screen experts have not been widely publicized.
The production was a collaboration between multiple broadcasters. The BBC Studios Science Unit led production, working in association with PBS, ZDF, and France Télévisions. No returning crew from the original 1999 series were involved in this revival, according to Wikipedia.
What do reviews say about Walking with Dinosaurs 2025?
Critical reception has been generally mixed, with consistent praise for scientific accuracy but divided opinions on the presentation style. Wikipedia notes this consensus in its reception section: the series is commended for incorporating the latest evidence on dinosaur behavior and anatomy, but some critics found the dramatic storytelling approach at odds with a documentary format.
According to an expert review published on Chasmosaurs, the dinosaur designs are “absolutely stunning – some of the best ever seen on screen, combining superb attention to anatomical detail.” The same review, however, notes a lack of emotional depth compared to the original series. The review can be read in full at Chasmosaurs.
How does the 2025 series differ from the original?
The most significant difference is technological. The 1999 series used a combination of CGI and animatronics, which was groundbreaking at the time. The 2025 series relies entirely on photorealistic CGI, using modern rendering, real-time lighting, and AI-assisted animation to create more lifelike creatures. Paleontologists were consulted throughout production to ensure anatomical correctness, and the resulting designs incorporate recent discoveries about feathers, coloration, and movement.
Narratively, the original series was structured as a continuous saga spanning from the Triassic to the Cretaceous. The 2025 version shifts to a more episodic, location-based approach, with each episode centered on a specific dinosaur whose fossils are being excavated at an active dig site.
What dinosaurs are featured in Walking with Dinosaurs 2025?
Six dinosaur species have been confirmed through official announcements and promotional images released on January 22, 2025. The featured dinosaurs are:
- Spinosaurus
- Triceratops
- Tyrannosaurus rex
- Lusotitan
- Pachyrhinosaurus
- Albertosaurus
Each episode focuses on one of these species, with the story tied to ongoing excavations of their fossils. No episode titles have been officially released.
The 2025 series is a complete reboot, not a sequel to the original 1999 series. It tells new stories using the same concept but covers different species and time periods.
What is Walking with Dinosaurs 2025 about?
Walking with Dinosaurs 2025 is a nature documentary miniseries that blends real paleontological fieldwork with CGI dramatizations to tell character-driven stories of individual dinosaurs. Each episode follows a specific dinosaur protagonist whose fossils are being unearthed at an active dig site, revealing details about its life, hunts, fights, and death.
The series was produced by BBC Studios Science Unit in association with PBS, ZDF, and France Télévisions. It was announced on June 4, 2024, and marketed as a revival of the iconic 1999 series, though no returning crew from the original were involved.
The official BBC One program page describes the series as one where “stunning visual effects bring dramatic dinosaur stories to life, based on clues from extraordinary dig sites around the world.” This description aligns with the series’ central ambition: to use cutting-edge science and visual effects to reconstruct prehistoric lives with unprecedented accuracy.
The series uses state-of-the-art CGI with photorealistic rendering, motion capture, and computer-generated environments to recreate prehistoric landscapes. No animatronics were used, unlike the original 1999 series. Feathers, coloration, and movement reflect the latest paleontological research, with designers supervised by paleontologists.
Timeline of the 2025 revival
- June 4, 2024: BBC officially announces the new Walking with Dinosaurs series.
- January 22, 2025: Promotional images confirm six featured dinosaur species: Spinosaurus, Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus rex, Lusotitan, Pachyrhinosaurus, and Albertosaurus.
- March 28, 2025: Companion book cover revealed, featuring a first look at Spinosaurus.
- April 10, 2025: Official BBC trailer released, alongside announcement of narrator Bertie Carvel.
- May 25, 2025: Series premiere on BBC One in the UK; all six episodes available on BBC iPlayer.
- June 16–18, 2025: US premiere on PBS as a three-night event.
What’s confirmed vs. what’s still speculative
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| The series premiered on May 25, 2025 in the UK and June 16, 2025 in the US. | A DVD or Blu-ray release date has not been officially confirmed by any broadcaster or distributor. |
| It is a six-part miniseries produced by BBC Studios Science Unit in association with PBS, ZDF, and France Télévisions. | No list of on-screen paleontologists or their specific dig sites has been widely published. |
| Bertie Carvel narrates the series, as confirmed on April 10, 2025. | Exact streaming availability outside the UK, US, Australia, and China remains unclear. |
| It features photorealistic CGI based on current paleontology, with no animatronics used. | Episode titles have not been officially released. |
| A companion book by Andrew Cohen, Helen Thomas, and Kirsty Wilson was published by DK in June 2025. | Whether the series will receive a second season has not been discussed publicly. |
| Six dinosaur species have been confirmed: Spinosaurus, Triceratops, T. rex, Lusotitan, Pachyrhinosaurus, and Albertosaurus. | No specific review scores or aggregated ratings are available in the provided sources. |
Why is the 2025 series significant in the context of the original?
The original Walking with Dinosaurs, which aired in 1999, is widely regarded as one of the BBC’s best-loved factual shows. It was groundbreaking for its time, using state-of-the-art CGI and animatronics to bring dinosaurs to life in a way never before seen on television. After 25 years, the 2025 revival faces the challenge of living up to that legacy while also advancing the genre.
The 2025 series builds on the original by leveraging modern rendering technology, real-time lighting, and AI-assisted animation to create more lifelike creatures. Scientific accuracy has also improved due to new fossil discoveries, particularly regarding feathers, coloration, and behavior. Critics have compared the series favorably to Prehistoric Planet, though they note it stays closer to the original’s tone and narrative ambition.
What are the sources and key quotes about Walking with Dinosaurs 2025?
“The groundbreaking series returns. Stunning visual effects bring dramatic dinosaur stories to life, based on clues from extraordinary dig sites around the world.”
— BBC One program page
“Walking with Dinosaurs is a 2025 six-part nature documentary television miniseries produced by the BBC Studios Science Unit and PBS.”
— Wikipedia article
“The dinosaur designs for this show are absolutely stunning – some of the best ever seen on screen, combining superb attention to anatomical detail.”
— Chasmosaurs review
What to know about Walking with Dinosaurs 2025
Walking with Dinosaurs 2025 is a six-part nature documentary miniseries that reboots the iconic 1999 concept with modern visual effects and the latest paleontological science. It premiered on BBC One on May 25, 2025, and on PBS on June 16, 2025. The series is narrated by Bertie Carvel and features six dinosaur species, each tied to an active fossil dig. A companion book is available, but no DVD release has been announced. For more detail, see our Walking with Dinosaurs 2025 research summary.
Frequently asked questions about Walking with Dinosaurs 2025
Is Walking with Dinosaurs 2025 a sequel to the original?
No, it is a complete reboot that tells new stories using the same concept. It is not a continuation of the 1999 series.
What dinosaurs are featured in Walking with Dinosaurs 2025?
The series covers six species: Spinosaurus, Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus rex, Lusotitan, Pachyrhinosaurus, and Albertosaurus. Each episode focuses on one species tied to an active dig site.
Is Walking with Dinosaurs 2025 suitable for children?
The series is family-friendly but may contain intense predator-prey scenes. Parental guidance is suggested for very young children, similar to the original series.
Who produced Walking with Dinosaurs 2025?
The series was produced by the BBC Studios Science Unit in association with PBS, ZDF, and France Télévisions.
What visual effects techniques are used in Walking with Dinosaurs 2025?
The series uses state-of-the-art CGI with photorealistic rendering, motion capture, and environment generation. No animatronics were used.
Are there any book tie-ins for Walking with Dinosaurs 2025?
Yes, a companion book titled Walking with Dinosaurs by Andrew Cohen, Helen Thomas, and Kirsty Wilson was published by DK in June 2025.
Will there be a DVD release of Walking with Dinosaurs 2025?
No official announcement has been made regarding a DVD, Blu-ray, or other physical media release as of mid-2025.
How many episodes are in Walking with Dinosaurs 2025?
The series consists of six episodes, each centered on a different dinosaur species and its associated fossil dig.
Can I watch Walking with Dinosaurs 2025 outside the UK and US?
Yes. In Australia, it airs on ABC TV and ABC iview. In China, it is available on iQIYI. Other international platforms have not been widely announced.
When was Walking with Dinosaurs 2025 announced?
The BBC officially announced the series on June 4, 2024, describing it as a revival of the original 1999 program.
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Dominic Shaw covers the economy, business, markets and consumer affairs for UKBullet.uk.