Disney+ Expands 'Secrets Of' Franchise With Two New Nature Series From James Cameron

Key facts

• National Geographic has ordered 'Secrets of the Bears' and 'Secrets of the Deep', two new three-part series.
• Both series are executive produced by James Cameron via his Lightstorm Earth banner.
• 'Secrets of the Bears' premieres on Disney+ on Earth Day 2027.
• The series is hosted by Bertie Gregory and Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, produced by Wildstar Films.
• 'Secrets of the Deep' is hosted by Bertie Gregory and marine biologist Dr. Diva Amon, produced by BBC Studios Natural History Unit.
• National Geographic President Courteney Monroe said the franchise reflects a 138-year legacy of natural world storytelling.
• The 'Secrets Of' franchise includes previous titles on whales, elephants, octopus, and penguins.

A Franchise Built on Cutting-Edge Natural History

The Walt Disney Company, through its National Geographic brand, is deepening its commitment to natural history programming with two new additions to the 'Secrets Of' franchise. The announcements come as the streamer prepares to celebrate Earth Month with themed programming and premieres. The two new series, 'Secrets of the Bears' and 'Secrets of the Deep', are both three-part productions executive produced by James Cameron, who serves as a National Geographic Explorer at Large. They follow a string of successful entries in the franchise, including 'Secrets of the Whales' (2021), 'Secrets of the Elephants' (2023), 'Secrets of the Octopus' (2024), and 'Secrets of the Penguins' (2025), the latter narrated by Blake Lively.

Bears: A Global Journey Across Eight Species

'Secrets of the Bears' will premiere on Disney+ on Earth Day, April 22, 2027. The series sees National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory and Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant travel the globe to document all eight species of bear, from charismatic brown bears to the elusive sun bear. The show aims to reveal new science and never-before-seen behaviors, positioning bears as smarter, more adaptable, and more sociable than previously understood. The series is produced by Wildstar Films, with Vanessa Berlowitz and Chloe Sarosh serving as executive producers, alongside Roger Webb and Bertie Gregory. James Cameron and Maria Wilhelm executive produce via Lightstorm Entertainment.

The Deep: Exploring Earth's Least Understood Ecosystem

'Secrets of the Deep' pairs Gregory with marine biologist Dr. Diva Amon as they journey into the ocean's most unexplored realms. The series, produced by BBC Studios Natural History Unit, promises to reveal the strange, emotional, and deeply interconnected lives of creatures in the planet's most mysterious ecosystem. Roger Webb executive produces the series, with Mark Wheeler as series producer. Cameron and Wilhelm again executive produce via Lightstorm Earth, with Gregory serving as a producer on both shows.

Monroe on Strategy: Joyful, Accessible Storytelling

Courteney Monroe, President of National Geographic, emphasized the brand's long-standing commitment to natural world stories. 'We've had a legacy of telling natural world stories for 138 years, longer than any other brand or competitor in this space,' she said. 'The fact that we're still building on that legacy is really exciting.' Monroe credited James Cameron as a driving force behind the franchise's success, noting his 'relentless push towards cutting-edge cinematography and technology.' She added that the key is to make the shows feel 'joyous, celebratory' and accessible, not like homework. 'It's a way to look at these animals in new and beautiful and inspiring and revelatory ways, but they're light and they're accessible,' she said.

A 138-Year Legacy of Natural World Storytelling

National Geographic's investment in the 'Secrets Of' franchise reflects a broader strategy to dominate factual entertainment on Disney+. The brand has been producing natural history content for over a century, and the franchise has become a cornerstone of its programming slate. The two new series join a lineup that includes 'Limitless with Chris Hemsworth' and 'Tucci in Italy', as well as blue-chip wildlife titles like 'Ocean with David Attenborough'. The expansion signals Disney's confidence in the franchise's ability to draw subscribers and critical acclaim.

What Comes Next: Earth Day 2027 and Beyond

With 'Secrets of the Bears' set for Earth Day 2027, Disney is reinforcing its tradition of releasing a new James Cameron-backed nature documentary on that date. The release schedule for 'Secrets of the Deep' has not yet been announced, but both series are expected to stream exclusively on Disney+. Monroe hinted at further growth for the franchise, saying the company has had 'a lot of conversations' with Cameron about its longevity. As the brand continues to build out the 'Secrets Of' universe, audiences can expect more immersive, high-tech explorations of the natural world.

The bottom line

• Disney+ will release 'Secrets of the Bears' on Earth Day 2027, with 'Secrets of the Deep' following later.
• Both series are executive produced by James Cameron, continuing his role as a National Geographic Explorer at Large.
• The 'Secrets Of' franchise now includes six titles, covering whales, elephants, octopus, penguins, bears, and deep-sea life.
• National Geographic President Courteney Monroe emphasizes joyful, accessible storytelling to avoid feeling like homework.
• The franchise is produced by Wildstar Films and BBC Studios Natural History Unit, with top-tier cinematography and science.