Catch up TV

Series 2: 1. Intrigue

The Emmy-nominated series returns to capture the dramatic and emotional stories of iconic savannah animals once again. There’s humour, heartbreak and nail-biting tension as new characters move in and familiar faces continue their stories. This time they are not only facing their own personal challenges. Their whole world will soon be in crisis.\n\nAs the programme opens, a spectacular buffalo hunt exposes the growing tensions within Kali’s pride. The big male, Sefu, is not pulling his weight, and he has started to suspect her cubs aren’t his. There is trouble ahead.\n\nBakari’s troop is now under his peaceful and generous leadership, and he has had a new baby with Cheka. But jealousy soon threatens their idyllic world. Bibi, a female who was deposed when Cheka took her place, is out to cause trouble, and she will stop at nothing to restore her power. \n\nNalla, the elephant matriarch, soon puts pay to the baboons' scheming as she sends them packing. There has been a baby boom in her family, and her sister has had a new baby, Kadogo. He will soon be enjoying his first mud bath, but it’s not all fun and games. He is about to face an event that will change his young life forever.\n\nWe meet a leopard family with two adorable cubs, Mzuri and Dada. Their first challenge is to escape the jaws of Zalika the hyena. They have never climbed before and need to learn fast. Other problems lie ahead when Mzuri goes on an adventure and meets some of the most entertaining - and most dangerous - animals in Africa.\n\nShani, the zebra, has had a new baby but is soon at risk from a roving stallion out to kidnap her from the herd. In a spectacular battle, her family’s stallion, Punda, has the fight of his life trying to defend Shani and their newborn foal. \n\nThe wildebeest are also giving birth. Gnu, a wildebeest calf, is among the many that have just been born. He appears completely helpless, and the hyena Zalika is on the prowl. If Gnu is to survive, he must learn to run in record time. \n\nKali’s story reaches a climax in a showdown with Sefu. The cubs run for their lives and vanish from view. Kali sets off to find them, but what she finds will set her on a path of distrust and confrontation with her pride.\n\nAs our characters' dramatic storylines play out, something far greater is about to change everything. Climate change has played havoc with the season, and a great storm is building. When the clouds break, they unleash an almighty deluge and the land begins to flood. Everyone runs for higher ground, leaving the baboons trapped up their roosting tree, while the fast-flowing floodwaters lead to catastrophe for Nalla.\n\nStoryteller Lupita Nyong'o\nCreated & Produced by Simon Fuller\nDirected & Produced by John Downer

Source: BBC 1