Kingdom, the BBC’s new nature documentary, was filmed entirely in the Nsefu Sector of South Luangwa National Park and follows the fortunes of the same leopards, wild dogs, lions and hyenas over five years as they give birth, hunt, fall ill, gain new territory and face intruders.

The producers planned 76 shoots over 1 700 days to follow the area’s biggest predators’ daily lives. Mother leopard Olimba and her daughter Mutima (which means ‘heart’ for the heart-shaped marking on her face) are shown as having to make the inevitable split as the cub grows up. Meanwhile Rita’s lion pride goes on to have a strong litter of eight healthy cubs while facing heavy rains and flooding that impact their hunting grounds.

The hyena clan is led by matriarch Tenta, supported by Tandala – they clash with Rita’s pride for prey. Meanwhile wild dog matriarch Storm and patriarch Flint raise their biggest ever litter as Flint battles an injury. Storm’s father was one of the oldest surviving wild dogs ever recorded, living to 12 and siring 208 direct descendants.

Zambians made up over 50% of the crew with 90 out of the team of 170 being local. Top wildlife photographer Edward Selfe was involved as was the formidable team at the Zambian Carnivore Programme.

You can watch Kingdom on BBC One or iPlayer. It debuts on Sunday 8 November 2025 at 6:20pm UK time.

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