We've got some exciting nature news! BBC America has announced today (February 18) that BAFTA-winning actor Bill Nighy is set to narrate Meerkat Manor: Rise of the Dynasty, the new installation of the Meerkat Manor series. A BBC America co-production with Oxford Scientific Films, the 13, half-hour episodes will premiere this summer as part of BBC America’s Wonderstruck programming line-up. This will be Nighy’s first time narrating the series’ U.S. broadcasts.

Meerkat Manor: Rise of the Dynasty continues the compelling saga of the heartstring-tugging, dramatic tale of survival revolving around three families of meerkats who are descendants of the legendary meerkat matriarch, Flower. Neighbors and rivals who share a bloodline are forced to compete for food and resources in an environment that is undergoing a great deal of change: the Kalahari Desert in South Africa.

Nighy's recent film credits include Minamata (2020), Emma (2020), the Netflix drama Hope Gap (2019), Ordeal by Innocence (2018), Sometimes Always Never (2018) and The Button Maker (2018). He was awarded the BAFTA for Best Actor for State of Play (2004) and in 2014 starred alongside Carey Mulligan in the highly-acclaimed theatrical revival of David Hare’s Skylight.

In addition, his previous work includes I Capture the Castle (2003), Shaun of the Dead (2004), The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005), The Constant Gardener (2005), Notes on a Scandal (2006), Hot Fuzz (2007), Valkyrie (2008) and The Boat That Rocked (2009). He has also provided voice work for many animated movies in the past few years including Flushed Away (2006), Astro Boy (2009), Rango (2011) and Arthur Christmas (2011).

Much loved for his role as Billy Mack in Love Actually (2003) for which he was awarded the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor, Nighy also has credits in the Underworld franchise, played Davy Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007), and made a brief appearance as Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010).

International distribution of Meerkat Manor: Rise of the Dynasty is being handled by Banijay Rights.

Are you excited to have Nighy report for narration duty?