Helen Mirren to Narrate ABC’s Comedic Unscripted Animal Series ‘When Nature Calls’
With her busy schedule, you’d think superstar Helen Mirren would be pooped. But she has still found time to narrate the new ABC unscripted comedy “When Nature Calls with Helen Mirren,” which premieres Thursday, June 24 at 8 p.m. ET.
“When Nature Calls with Helen Mirren” stars Helen Mirren as the voice of Helen Mirren, who narrates a cheeky look at animals and the wild. The show is based on a BBC Studios format that “features comedians putting words into the mouths of beautiful beasts, teeny-tiny frogs, beatboxing badgers and more in captivating footage from all over the world,” the network said. (No relation to the 1995 “Ace Ventura” sequel.)
Said Mirren: “I am excited by the opportunity to reveal the ‘true inner lives’ of the noble creatures with whom we share the planet.”
Mirren will next be seen in “F9,” the latest installment of the “Fast and the Furious” saga that hits theaters on June 25. She’s one Grammy away from an EGOT, having won the Oscar, Golden Globe, SAG Award and BAFTA for “The Queen,” as well as a Tony for “The Audience.” Mirren won her first Emmy in 1996 for “Prime Suspect: Scent of Darkness.” Mirren was made a Dame of the British Empire in 2003.
“When you’ve won an Oscar, an Emmy and a Tony, the only way to further add to your legacy is to narrate ‘When Nature Calls with Helen Mirren,’” said Rob Mills, executive vice president, unscripted & alternative, Walt Disney Television.
“When Nature Calls” had originally been announced with a June 17 premiere date; now that the show has moved its launch to June 24, “Holey Moley” will now swing open its Season 3 with a two-hour premiere on June 17 at 8 p.m., before moving to its Thursday 9 p.m. slot on June 24.
BBC Studios’ Los Angeles production arm is behind “When Nature Calls,” which is based on “Walk on the Wild Side,” which aired for two seasons on BBC1 starting in 2009, and featured the voices of comedians such as Jason Manford, Jon Richardson and Sarah Millican.
Ryan O’Dowd is the executive producer for BBC Studios, while K.P. Anderson is executive producer and showrunner. Brad Stevens and Boyd Vico are head writers and executive producers.
“Helen Mirren is without a doubt one of the greatest talents of our time, and we consider it a privilege to bring her iconic voice to this series,” said Valerie Bruce, general manager, LA Productions, BBC Studios. “She is the perfect storyteller to take us on this journey as we reimagine the animal kingdom with a comic twist and bring to life the more humorous side of creatures great and small.”
Mirren and BBC Studios are represented by CAA. Here’s a first look at “When Nature Calls with Helen Mirren”:
Subscribe to Variety Newsletters and Email Alerts!
