WALKING WITH DINOSAURS 2025
Walking With Dinosaurs 2 (2025) was announced 4th June 2024, for a release on the BBC at some point in 2025.
It has been worked on in some secrecy for an unknown timespan. It is considered to be a direct sequel series, not a remake of the original episodes.
Sources indicate a total of six, 60 minute episodes (notably longer than the original episode lengths) There will have likely been numerous palaeontologists from Britain and other countries working on the program. It is a partnership between the BBC, PBS and other channels such as ZDF.
Palaeontologist, Thomas R Holtz, writing on social media, described the series as being more like the way The Ballad Of Big Al (2000) was shot, with focus around an individual Dinosaur, being the heart of the storylines in each episode.
Gallery Section: Walking With Dinosaurs (2025):[]
[NOTE: More images to be added to this gallery as and when they become available]
Currently confirmed Dinosaur genera which shall feature in the series, include (ongoing list):[]
- Lusotitan
- Gastonia
- Utahraptor
- Spinosaurus
- Triceratops
- Tyrannosaurus
Potential Dinosaur genera (speculative; obviously not necessarily all being realistically possible):[]
- Miragaia
- Torvosaurus
- Tenontosaurus
- Deinonychus
- Cedarosaurus
- Ouranosaurus
- Carcharodontosaurus
- Centrosaurus
- Ceratosaurus
- Dacentrurus
- Dryosaurus
- Zby
- Allosaurus
- Corythosaurus
- Stenonychosaurus
- Saurornitholestes
- Latenivenatrix
- Daspletosaurus
- Gorgosaurus
- Dromaeosaurus
- Chirostenotes
- Ornithomimus
- Stegoceras
- Parasaurolophus
- Lambeosaurus
Potential non-Dinosaur genera (examples; speculative):[]
- Mawsonia
- Onchopristis
- Sarcosuchus
- Arganodus
- Araripesuchus
- Aegisuchus
- Anhanguera
- Pteranodon
- Quetzalcoatlus
- Deinosuchus
- Mosasaurus
- Lusognathus
Currently confirmed scientific advisors/consultants for the series:[]
- Thomas R Holtz
- Jim Kirkland
- Natalia Jagielska
- Nizar Ibrahim
Likely/potential, though currently unconfirmed scientific advisors/consultants for the series:[]
- David Martill
- Michael Benton
- Mark Witton
- Darren Naish
- Phil Currie
- Peter Larson
- David Norman
- Stephen Brusatte
- Octávio Mateus
- Philip Mannion
Likely/potential Formations (at time of writing in early June 2024):[]
- Kem Kem Group (Morocco, North Africa) - Cenomanian Age, first age of the Late Cretaceous (~97-93 Ma; this numerical range, not the full span of the Cenomanian Age, simply a reflection of classic examples of when Spinosaurus lived and a guess at when the episode might be set)
- Cedar Mountain Formation (Emery County, Utah, USA) - Berriasian/Valanginian Ages; in context, the first or second ages of the Early Cretaceous (potentially around 139-135 Ma; again, this numerical range not indicating the full span of either the Berriasian or the Valanginian Ages, simply referring to the likely range of time the episode might be set in)
- Dinosaur Park Formation (Alberta, Western Canada) - Campanian Age (~76-75 Ma) - OR another formation in Canada from the Late Cretaceous.
- Hell Creek Formation (Montana, USA; with outcrops in North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming, and Montana being where the primary site is located) - Maastrichtian Age, the last age of the Late Cretaceous (~68-66 Ma)
- Lance Formation (Wyoming, USA) - Maastrichtian Age (~69-66 Ma)
DEFINITE LOCATIONS/FORMATIONS:[]
- Lourinhã Formation (Portugal, Europe) - Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous (Kimmeridgian, Tithonian and Berriasian Ages) However, specifically regarding the Brachiosaurid Macronarian Sauropod, Lusotitan, it is therefore logically to be set in the Late Jurassic (more specifically, in the Tithonian Age, the last geological age of the Jurassic Period's eleven ages) This has implications for other potential species at this site and potentially other sites that are close to the Lourinhã Formation, regarding potential species included in Walking With Dinosaurs (2025)
PTEROSAURS[]
It has also been confirmed that Pterosaurs are to be depicted in Walking With Dinosaurs (2025) Natalia Jagielska is a Pterosaur expert and consultant on the series. She confirmed on social media that she worked on the show as a consultant and that the audience, 'is in for a treat'. It is highly likely that a number of Pterosaurs shall be seen across the six episodes confirmed for the new edition series.
A number of Jurassic and Cretaceous Pterosaurs will almost certainly be included, and potentially some Triassic Pterosaurs as well (although remarks have been made by Thomas R Holtz on social media, which seem to point out that there is a very different episodic structure or layout to the new series, and that it is not going to be 1 Episode in the Triassic, 2 Episodes in the Jurassic and 3 Episodes in the Cretaceous)
Various examples of Rhamphorhynchoid and Pterodactyloid Pterosaurs could be included in the series - especially regarding the Pterodactyloid Pterosaurs, as there seems to be an even greater emphasis placed on the Cretaceous Period (even when compared to the original series)
The presence of a Jurassic episode being absolutely confirmed, set in Late Jurassic Portugal (likely in the Tithonian Age), would definitely imply particular things about the potential Pterosaurs seen in the new edition series. For instance, Lusognathus could potentially be seen in the episode starring the Brachiosaurid Macronarian Sauropod, Lusotitan.
STRUCTURE OF THE SERIES & REASONABLE, PRELIMINARY CONCERNS[]
By implication, judging on the comments of Thomas R Holtz, this means that there will not be what we might call a 'pyramidal' or 'funnel' progression through the Mesozoic, with the Triassic receiving the least attention and the Jurassic having twice as many episodes and the Cretaceous having thrice as many.
In reality, this could make the pacing of the journey through the Mesozoic a very different one to the original series in 1999 - which absolutely did follow the logic of episodically journeying through the Mesozoic Era, from the Triassic, to the Jurassic, to the Cretaceous. The new series apparently has much more emphasis on the individual animal storylines of one individual specimen followed throughout each episode.
However, it should be remembered that to an extent the same could be said about various 'characters' from the 'cast' of the original series, in that, there are multiple examples of primary focuses on particular species and individuals from said species, being repeatedly seen in the original series. The makers of the new series may think they are reinventing the wheel with this one, but in reality, it was already a more subtle part of the original series. For instance, the young female Diplodocus was the main 'point of view' animal in Episode 2 (Time Of The Titans) of the original series in 1999.
Her story and survival against the odds is followed, at least to some extent, over a number of years and this culminates in a particular manner as seen in the episode. Another example would be the young Ophthalmosaurus pup followed to sub-adult size before it leaves the relative safety of the coral reefs; or of course the Ornithocheirus male in Episode 4 Giant Of The Skies, on his epic migration around the Early Cretaceous world.
The emphasis had always been on a number of different animals per episode, not just one, though; with the Cynodonts, Coelophysis and the female Postosuchus, given similar amounts of attention in Episode I - New Blood. That said, there was always a primary focus; arguably this was shared between the female Postosuchus and the female Coelophysis in Episode I - New Blood, and between the old bull male Liopleurodon and the young Ophthalmosaurus, in Episode III - Cruel Sea. Other animals were involved but more secondary or tertiary to the main animals focused upon, in the 1999 original series. Besides the major focus on the Ornithocheirus male in the fourth episode, there was more of a balanced approach to most episodes.
It seems the new series for 2025 shall lean more heavily into the idea of focusing on an individual specimen and following their story throughout. This may potentially be done at the expense of the overall metanarrative of the grander story of the Mesozoic Era in general, and the Dinosauria which dominated most of that era's duration. It would be a shame if this had any kind of detrimental effect on the new series, though this has yet to be seen. Time will tell.
Objectively, the natural 'pyramidal proportions' of fairly dividing episodes between three long geological periods, with only 6 episodes, leaves some problems if you want to give a proportionate overview. In the original series, there is a conspicuously gargantuan timespan between the first and the second episodes; Episode I - New Blood, being set 220 Ma and Episode II - Time Of The Titans, 152 Ma.
That is a timespan and massive temporal gap of some 68 million years; longer, by far, than the 66 million years separating the Present Day and the final days of the Mesozoic Era itself. This was always noticeable and indicative of the limitations of covering such a vast timespan with relatively so few episodes. Logically, structuring the series to shift focus towards a more myopic narrative, concentrating on the life of one individual animal, could well be a good way to have a different take on it.
All the same, deviating too far from the tried and tested success of the original series, could be proven to have been a mistake. Conceptually, someone obviously understood the narrative difficulty of truly encapsulating the Mesozoic Era in 6 episodes, yet that is precisely why the original series had a 'reverse pyramidal balance', so to speak, between the periods; Triassic 1, Jurassic 2, Cretaceous 3; aka 1-2-3.
Dinosaurs evolved during the Late Triassic, as far as is understood (though arguments for Dinosauromorphs in the Middle Triassic being true Dinosaurs, have been made for some specimens of a fragmentary nature from South Africa and Madagascar) The oldest confirmed Dinosaurs are diagnostically known from the Carnian Age (the 5th of 7 Triassic Ages) The oldest specifically being around 233.23 Ma BP.
This implies a true 'Dinosaur Zero' around 235-236 Ma BP in the Early Carnian, though an even earlier Ladinian Age true Dinosaur is not impossible either, at least according to current palaeontological inference on the matter. It's quite possible the very first Dinosaur (aka 'Dinosaur Zero') did indeed involve in either the early Carnian Age or the late Ladinian Age. The evidence directly points to the Carnian Age, so that is the safest bet when talking about it (but again, there is a relatively small gap between the middle Carnian Age - from whence palaeontologists have found and described true Dinosaurs such as Saturnalia tupiniquim and Gnathovorax cabreirai, both exceeding 233 Ma Before Present - and the late Ladinian Age)
The simple reality is that if we are going to see more of a focus on the Triassic Period and the Early Jurassic, then we'd need more than just 6 episodes. Funding concerns are probably behind sticking with just 6 episodes, and perhaps the producers and channels behind the new series are waiting to see how well it performs.
It now seems that there will definitely be at least 4 Cretaceous Episodes, and definitely 1 Jurassic Episode, according to the currently available information. This makes the presence of a Triassic Episode even more unlikely, which is both deeply unfortunate, as well as questionable in it's logic. If there is a Triassic Episode, the pattern will be: Triassic: 1; Jurassic: 1; Cretaceous: 4. But it could well be Triassic: 0; Jurassic: 2; Cretaceous: 4, instead.
Maybe there'd be a third series relatively shortly afterwards, depending on how it performs (but that really is purely speculative at that point) There may well be Triassic and Early Jurassic representation in the new series for 2025, however, it could only be relatively limited. It is unknown what the cost per episode or the overall cost of the new series will amount to. Until that is known, then speculation on the structure, episode total (numerical and total runtime overall) could only, critically, be just that; speculation.
The series could be a huge success which does justice to the original. Or perhaps it will not. Hopefully it will give a good overview of the Mesozoic whilst telling individual animal's stories in greater detail. It is likely the structural concerns explained here will be a point of contention for some fans of the original series (we may see an episode structure more like that in Prehistoric Planet) Will it even be in geochronological order? This is all unknown currently.
CLUES OF THE UNKNOWN SERIES STRUCTURE & SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS IN THE PALAEONTOLOGY COMMUNITY[]
As of the currently available (as of early June 2024), 'not-a-lucky-insider' information, it is looking like 4 of the 6 episodes are from the Cretaceous Period. At least one Jurassic episode has definitely been confirmed (the Late Jurassic, likely during the Tithonian Age, of Portugal)
That leaves one more episode. This may or may not focus on a Triassic or Jurassic time, formation and setting. It would seem likelier to be a Jurassic episode (possibly from the Early or Middle Jurassic) Then again, if they structure the episodes in a particular way, then they could split the hour long episodes into halves (similar to how Walking With Monsters 2005, did so, with their half-hour episodes into roughly 15 minute halves looking at very greatly divided times and places, mostly in the Palaeozoic Era, with merely three episodes in total; save for a final 'sixth half' set in the Early Triassic, in the early Mesozoic Era)
If this is how they have structured the episodes, it is currently unknown outside of the palaeontologists whom were privy to this information. Many palaeontologists, even formally working in the subject, simply won't have been in the loop and that is how things are with serious gatekeeping, favouritism, credentialism and sheer snobbery being rampant and rife in the community.
Many highly capable palaeontologists, would have simply been completely overlooked or not told about the development of the series, let alone given a chance to work on the series in any capacity. It was clearly a secretive project which had clues and hints as to it's possible existence, in retrospect, since around 2021 onward, though nothing definitive enough to make any kinds of public statements, especially in a freelance capacity.
The project was clearly being developed for a long time, and will still be undergoing production and/or post-production as of June 2024, for a 2025 release. The problem in the world of palaeontology, that there are a lot of cliques and aloof practitioners of the subject whom are ultimately gatekeeping information and doing favours for their friends. As a palaeontology tutor literally once said, "It is who you know, and when you know them". The part often left out, though, is that it is crucially, if they like you or not.
Or, for that matter, if you have the right grades/qualifications/'research footprint' and specialisation, so to speak. But the fact is a lot of highly capable and talented people would simply not have been contacted or informed about the series whatsoever, even if (or perhaps, especially if) they were heavily passionate about said series.
Some palaeontologists - including yours truly - have never been told a thing about it and yet began their palaeontological journey in very large part due to the original 1999 series. It can be of deeply personal consequence to some people, whether or not they had worked on their dream job. Sadly, the way the palaeontology community functions, it's really a matter of 'circles within circles' and those kept out of the loop, are simply kept out of the loop.
A core band of individuals will have been privy to the information, and everyone else will have been deliberately excluded (perhaps for matters of non-disclosure and keeping the project a secret) However, amongst certain circles, it would have been well-discussed for years and some 'palaeontology personalities' on social media, YouTube and other online platforms, would have been talking about it between themselves for literally years at this point. That ship would have sailed well before 2024 - likely three to four years earlier (with some people being told about it and included on the confidentiality agreements in the intervening months leading into 2024, one could speculate) Speculation is all those deliberately left out of the loop have to work with.
In fairness, to some great extent there must be a level of discretion and secrecy, otherwise the 'cat would get out of the bag' all too easily. Nevertheless, it does speak to, and strongly reflect, the exclusivity and habitually elitist gatekeeping in palaeontology in general. This can be hand-waved away by gatekeeping apologists who'd only be doing so, because they are favoured. But though out of favour, or deliberately shut out, will be treated like problematic people because they have the backbone to stand up for themselves.
Spiteful behaviour is increasingly common in the subject, and small, perceived slights, can cause feuds and/or gatekeeping behaviour (especially where there is a power, influence and tenured status imbalance) long-term/permanently. This can form something of a 'glass ceiling' for those trying to make it in the subject, when they are actively sabotaged or gate-kept out of the conversation. Out of the inner circle, so to speak.
Circles within circles, all the way down. And that is a very large part of why only a select number of palaeontologists, even formally trained ones, will ever be privy to such productions as Walking With Dinosaurs (2025) From experience, this is not simply a matter of protecting the project or adhering to NDA (non-disclosure agreements) If a professor wants you to know something, he will let you know. If they don't, they don't. It's a simple as that.
Sadly, for many of the students of any given professor involved, they won't have been told anything, or trusted. That is the nature of the palaeontology community (at least in the United Kingdom; though it's probably the same elsewhere as well) Elitism, credentialism and classist behaviour is also very common.
There are numerous reasons to be concerned for how Walking With Dinosaurs (2025) was so jealously kept secret, and how this may influence the reconstructions, as well as the interpretations of palaeoenvironments as well as the overall structure of the series itself. Most palaeontologists will simply have had no say whatsoever, and then forced to accept being presented with whatever the cabal of favoured ones agreed between themselves.
This is a deeply selfish thing to do, because it immediately has a massive impact on Palaeomedia and 'Dinomedia' in general. They will know that, but it is still the case that they had decided from upon high in ivory towers, that 'this is the reconstruction', and everyone else has to deal with the consequences (including in how it influences reconstructions going forward) In a way, it is highly unjust, internally, within Vertebrate Palaeontology especially.
It's favouritism, narcissism and elitism all wrapped into one. Incredulously, those with more credentials aka second and third qualifications in the subject, will pull rank on you and sneer about what papers you published lately or if you were actually passionate about the subject. If you were working on it and landed on your feet well-enough to be included in the inner circle, then that's great for you I guess. But the rest of the community is subjected to a firmly, 'Let the Devil take the Hindmost' attitude.
On many levels, this is not the way forward. As many people as possible should have been entrusted with it rather than distrusting and gatekeeping on the sly, so many people away from the production, whom could have actively contributed to it. The fact it was a total secret to most palaeontologists, is a genuine problem that should be addressed in future. NDA matters will obviously come into things, but all the same, this kind of arrogant elitism and blatant gatekeeping is detrimental to the subject. There was not only a secrecy surrounding the development of the series, but active deception as well (this shall come to light more and more, as time passes; and evidence of that in circumstantial and implied terms, has already been revealed on YouTube)
There'll be excuses and apologies made for it, but it is very transparent in the sense that those in the loop will have rightly seen it as a chance of a lifetime gig and jealously guarded that secret (whether told to or not) It's puerile and it's unfair. Some people - such as yours truly - would have contributed greatly to the project (seeing as yours truly has been writing their own version of WWDII for several years, totally independently and under immense pressure due to the general distractions and vicissitudes of life) It is bitterly disappointing to see this happening without yours truly, as it was always the greatest aspiration. It will be very interesting to see what the folks in the precious ivory towers come up with.
This may sound jaded and bitter, but experience will very likely vindicate the concerns brought up here. The Walking With Dinosaurs: 3D (2013) film focusing on a Pachyrhinosaurus individual, was a total mess and an embarrassing, puerile disaster in many ways (it makes for an okay kids film and nothing more, perhaps less) And it wasn't even a particularly good kids film, widely panned for very childish dialogue that even kids might find a bit boring. For fans of the original 1999 series, and it's spin-offs, this was a really poor quality production and reminded plenty of fans not to expect much.
The expectation for Walking With Dinosaurs (2025) will be utterly enormous and it is one's greatest hope that they do justice to it and succeed (in spite of how one's own input was never asked for or considered even once) That is the way things go, sadly. It's obvious they will want to run with the franchise and it wouldn't be surprising if they try for more seasons of the series. That would be the logical next step.
However, it is not one they would have wanted to take alone. It was definitely being considered from a writing perspective, by yours truly. And sadly, such effort will likely never be seen, lost in the maelstrom of time. What can be said is that 6 episodes is relatively disappointing. At very least 12 should have been the target. Be 'grateful' for 6 yes, but don't be too grateful. Don't forget that you can still critically assess something and not get carried away with the tide of hype, even for something you truly love and always have loved. There is a selfish aspect to how this was done in such an underhand manner. That shall not be forgotten, either.
TALKING HEADS: Seems like a bad idea?[]
Thomas R Holtz confirmed, in remarks made on social media, that there shall be 'talking heads' segments throughout the new series. This is likely going to be reminiscent of other palaeomedia like Planet Dinosaur (2011) This is dividing opinion, already, on whether that is a good idea. It was absolutely not a part of the main episodes of the original series from 1999, and it could be quite detrimental to the overall quality of the new series.
However, if it is optional as a setting or special feature that can be turned off, that would be a smart way of going about it. However, it's likely going to be built into the runtime of each episode (the special feature idea mentioned, was more like the director's production commentary on the original series DVD release) It seems quite unlikely that the talking heads segments will take up too much time but with 60 minute runtimes that could mean that several palaeontologists and other scientists, make comments about different aspects of the episode scenes.
This could be a terrible blunder, however, and spoil an otherwise interesting show, with rather indulgent cameos by some palaeontologists and consultants to the show. It rather heedlessly and perhaps arrogantly breaks away from the original format, which seems somewhat unwise. People will doubtlessly pick up on the fact that the format of the series has been changed and this is definitely a major change from the original series that will probably be seen as a bad idea. Until the episodes air in 2025 this cannot be confirmed, though it seems likely it will have a large impact on how it is perceived. If it tries to be a mix of Walking With Dinosaurs, Prehistoric Planet and Dinosaur Planet, then it could overreach and fail. Again, time will tell, ultimately.
MUSICAL COMPOSER: WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (2025)[]
Currently unknown. Update as/when information becomes available. Hopefully Framestore and Crawley Creatures still have input.
SERIES DIRECTOR: WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (2025)[]
Currently unknown. Update as/when information becomes available.
SERIES COST: PER EPISODE & IN TOTAL[]
Currently unknown. Update as/when information becomes available.
ANIMATION & ANIMATRONICS COMPANIES INVOLVED[]
Currently unknown. Update as/when information becomes available.
TABLE OF EPISODE TITLES, DURATIONS, FORMATIONS & TIMES[]
To be begun and completed in 2025, or whenever that information becomes available.
CRITICAL RESPONSES TO WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (2025)[]
To be observed and written-in-overview and review, at some point in 2025 and later. Outline in 2025.
STRUCTURAL AND THEMATIC COMPARISON: WWD 1999 VS WWD 2025; 26 YEARS LATER[]
To be observed and written in 2025. Complete then.
[]
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lVThiPUljSg
Further information about the production will likely be revealed in due course, before the release date in 2025.