Watch Dynasties

Dynasties is a documentary series that was broadcasted on BBC America between 2018 and 2022. Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, the show explores the struggles of some of the world's most iconic animal species as they fight to protect their families, to avoid extinction, and to survive the changing environments that threaten their existence.

Throughout each episode of the series, viewers are taken on a heart-wrenching journey into the lives of different animal families and their daily struggles. The show focuses on the concept of dynasties, which refers to the family groups that many animals are organized into. The show aims to provide a detailed insight into the animal kingdom in order to showcase the struggles and challenges that these animal species face to propagate their lineages.

The show opens with a group of chimpanzees living in the African jungles, and gradually progresses to follow the lives of other animals, such as lions, penguins, tigers, and painted wolves. Each episode depicts the challenges that these animals face in their daily lives, including the need to secure territory, find food, and to protect their young from predators.

Dynasties is an emotional show that captures the essence of each animal family's experience. The series juxtaposes scenes of endearing familial interactions with heart-wrenching moments of struggle and sacrifice. For example, viewers will see the fierce love and devotion of a mother lion as she risks her life to protect her cubs from rival lions, an action that is typical among family-oriented species. The show also showcases each species' unique behavior patterns, which viewers can learn from, such as the intelligence of the chimpanzees and the group hunting strategies of the painted wolves.

One thing that sets Dynasties apart from other nature documentaries is the inclusion of the fraught relationships between members of the same family. For example, the show highlights the contention between two lion brothers as they vie for control of a pride, while exploring the intricacies of the familial bonds within the group. The show also touches on phenomena like infanticide and cannibalism between siblings that are common in some animal species.

Each episode's cinematography is mesmerizing, taking viewers through the intricate details of each animal's surroundings, and showcasing the natural beauty of the habitats in which they reside. The zoomed-in shots make it feel like the viewer is right there, in the bushes or underwater, experiencing the raw beauty of the landscapes where the animals live.

Sir David Attenborough's narration, as always, is perfect. He delivers each line with his characteristic gravitas and in-depth knowledge of the species and their surroundings, making viewers feel like they are learning from an expert. His tone is sympathetic and never patronizing towards the animals.

Dynasties is an engaging and educational show that will captivate nature enthusiasts, animal lovers, and anyone interested in wildlife. The depiction of each animal's experience leads to a deeper understanding of these creatures, their relationships, and the impact they have on their environment. The show is an excellent display of the marvels of the natural world and an ode to the power of family, loyalty, and perseverance.

Dynasties is a series that ran for 2 seasons (13 episodes) between November 11, 2018 and on BBC America