BBC’s Natural History Unit premiers the highly anticipated trilogy ‘Sharks’- the three part series is filled with inspiring footage and cutting edge science including a feature on manta rays with Dr. Andrea Marshall

The wait is finally over for one of the most anticipated programs of the year, BBC’s newest trilogy ‘Sharks.’ For the past two years, a team from the BBC’s Natural History Unit has been travelling the world, using the latest ultra HD and high-speed-camera technology to film 30 species of shark – and their cousins, the rays – in dozens of locations. This new series, narrated by Paul McGann, will change everything you thought about sharks, revealing all aspects of their lives and showing them to be intelligent, social and complex creatures.

The first film of the trilogy premiers on BBC One tonight (May 7^th) at 20:55. It showcases the huge diversity of sharks and why they are such great hunters. The second film uncovers the secret lives of sharks and rays, from courtship and mating to the young growing up; from the remarkable ways they navigate the ocean to the surprising relationships they have developed with other creatures – including us.

‘Sharks: Beneath the Surface’ completes the trilogy. It showcases the extraordinary work of top scientists from across the world as they uncover the secrets of sharks, and examines the future of sharks as they face their darkest hour.

Marine Megafauna Foundation’s co-founder, Dr Andrea Marshall is one of the scientists featured in this final episode. She joined BBC crew in the most dramatic and compelling location in the world, San Benedicto, to film manta rays and to highlight the ground-breaking research her and her team are conducting around the world.

“I chose to focus on the social behaviour of manta rays. For years I have been working to understand more about the curiosity and intelligence of manta rays, something that sets them apart from most fish.” –Dr. Marshall

Manta rays are big, beautiful, harmless and impossibly friendly. In fact, Andrea finds it hard to think of many other megafauna species, marine or terrestrial, that choose to have extended up-close encounters with humans in the wild. As a result, Andrea believes manta rays could be an ambassador for the ray group- their gentle and inquisitive nature changing viewing audiences opinions about these misunderstood animals.

This is Andrea’s second engagement with the BBC, having previously featured in the Natural World documentary “Andrea: Queen of Mantas.” When “Queen of Mantas” originally debuted in the UK it achieved an audience share of 10.9% and subsequently went on to receive numerous awards and accolades, highlighting the growing interest in these extraordinary animals.

“With all of the negative or sensational media out there about sharks and rays these days, it was refreshing to be part of a production that is exploring the true nature of these animals, their role in our oceans and their value to us as humans. I really hope people turn off their reality TV shows and watch this spectacular tribute to one of the most exciting groups of animals in our oceans. Even if you are already a shark lover, like me, get ready to fall in love with these incredible animals all over again.” – Dr. Marshall

BBC ‘Sharks’ episode two airs on May 14^th at 21:00 with the final episode expected a week later.