Blue Planet II creator forms new natural history outfit

James Honeyborne, the creator of Blue Planet II, has formed a new production company specialising in natural history.

Based in Bristol, the home of the BBC’s Natural History Unit (NHU), Freeborne Media is to focus on nature and science docs.

The exec was previously an EP on the BBC’s landmark series Blue Planet II, and has around 35 credits through his role as an EP with the BBC’s NHU.

Honeyborne’s recent credits with the public broadcaster include PBS co-production Big Blue Live and Nat Geo co-production Wild New Zealand. He also served as a series producer on BBC and Discovery co-production Africa.

He created the prodco with producer-director Renee Godfrey, whose credits include Human Planet (BBC One/Discovery) and Wild New Zealand (BBC Two/Nat Geo).

Honeyborne said: “It’s been an honour and a privilege to work at BBC Natural History Unit for so long, but after 25 years, it’s time for us to find new audiences and explore fresh creative challenges.”

Godfrey added: “Today nature is facing unprecedented challenges and there’s a pressing need for many important and surprising stories to be told. Freeborne will showcase the wonders of nature and encourage the protection of the natural world through ground-breaking films.”