Simon Reeve reflects on how he avoided being ‘preachy’ in BBC series as Wilderness returns to screens
Simon Reeve has spoken about his determination to keep the second series of BBC’s Wilderness engaging rather than preachy, describing storytelling as the driving force behind the programme.
Speaking to GB News and other media, the presenter said his priority was making the show genuinely interesting for viewers of all ages.
“I’m trying to tell a tale. Let’s put it that way. I’m trying to tell a tale with the programmes,” Mr Reeve said.
He stressed that entertainment value was paramount, calling it “the absolute key” to the series.
Simon Reeve talked about keeping the second series of BBC’s Wilderness engaging rather than preachy
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BBC
The broadcaster said he wanted the programme to appeal to entire families, noting that he was aware both children and older viewers were tuning in.
His aim, he explained, was for every viewer to connect with the content and care about it.
Filmmaker and adventurer Mr Reeve spoke candidly about the freedom he has been given to explore both positive and negative aspects of the world in his programmes.
“I’ve been really blessed in that I’m allowed to include what I pretentiously call light and shade, I don’t have to shy away from either, and that is such a treat and a privilege to not just have to be Mr. Sunny Sunshine and not have to be, ‘Oh it’s everything’s gone to c**p and everything’s rubbish,” he said.
The broadcaster said he wanted the programme to appeal to entire families, noting that he was aware both children and older viewers were tuning in
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BBC
He continued: “To accept the reality of our existence and life on the planet, there’s a bit of good and bad in everything and everyone, and we’re able to try and highlight both of those.
“So I think what I’m what I’m trying to do in these programmes is show you that these places still exist, that there is a rich war planet out there worth learning about, understanding, protecting, and fighting for yes, but we’re trying to make it interesting as well and not too pompous and hand wringing and inaccessible.
“We want families watching this. I know that there’s kids watching as well as people at the other end of life, and I want them all to understand and know it and get it and give a damn about it.”
The opening episode of the new series follows Mr Reeve as he journeys into Papua New Guinea’s rainforests, trekking through the Torricelli Mountains in the island’s remote northwest, a region so cut off that barely any scientists have set foot there.
Wilderness is returning to the BBC with series two
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BBC
The expedition’s target is the tenkile, an extraordinarily rare tree kangaroo species found nowhere else on Earth and once thought to be on the brink of extinction.
After days of arduous hiking across steep jungle terrain, river crossings and persistent tropical downpours, the team eventually encounters the elusive animal.
Central to the episode is the work of local communities who have shifted from hunting tree kangaroos to actively protecting them, partnering with scientists through the Tenkile Conservation Alliance.
Looking ahead, Mr Reeve voiced his hope that the tenkile could serve as a figurehead for its region.
“Hopefully, the tenkile can become a bit of a poster for that part of the planet, for our understanding of it and for caring about it,” he said.
“I hope [viewers] learn about something that most people will never be lucky enough to go, and they learn about a creature they probably didn’t know much about before.”
The expedition’s target is the tenkile, an extraordinarily rare tree kangaroo species found nowhere else on Earth
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BBC
Despite conservation efforts, encroaching logging roads and deforestation continue to threaten the fragile ecosystem in the area.
Mr Reeve also expressed confidence that the new series surpasses its predecessor.
“I think it’s better than series one. I think it’s bigger and bolder,” he said.
He credited the team’s enthusiasm with pushing him past his own instincts, describing himself as “a negative, ‘that’ll never work’ sort of character.”
The positive response from audiences to the first series also gave the production team confidence.
“We realised not just that there was an appetite for it from the lovely viewers, but that we actually were vaguely capable of doing this,” he added.
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