BBC uses murky water to prove new series is real

The production team for Blue Planet III intentionally retained cloudier, less polished footage to reassure viewers that the imagery is authentic. Executive producer Elizabeth White stated that the rise of artificial intelligence fakery prompted the team to prioritize an organic look over high-definition perfection.

White explained that previous seasons might have cut shots with plankton, boats, or poor water conditions. For this installment, the crew kept those details. She noted that the team is leaning into authenticity and expects to rely even more on murkier imagery as AI technology continues to evolve.

Jack Bootle, the BBC's head of specialist factual commissioning, provided a specific guarantee to journalists at a press screening. He confirmed that no generative AI was used in the series. Bootle stated that not a single frame was generated by software and that the entire project consists of real photography.

The series features new animal behaviors captured through advanced technology. Yoland Bosiger, the program's producer and director, developed underwater CCTV equipment nicknamed the stonefish cam. This setup recorded dolphins using sea sponges to block holes in coral and trap fish. Other sequences show a grouper communicating with another species, 200,000 crabs forming a line to feed, and sea urchins using shells as sun hats.

Filming spanned four years across five oceans. Series producer Lara Bickerton described the technical innovations used during the shoot. The team built a mini-dome camera to track an octopus and created a deep-sea selfie stick. Camera operators wore leg-mounted scooters to capture immersive diving footage, while lasers were employed to film animals in the deep sea.

The narrative also addresses oceanic threats. One episode details how warmer seas are killing the sea anemones that house clownfish. The fish are shown attempting to repair their damaged homes. The series continues the plastics theme from the second season by exploring pollutants and forever chemicals, according to White.

Narrator David Attenborough, who is 100 years old, was heavily involved in the process. Bosiger said Attenborough made changes to the scripts. White added that he remains excited when shown new footage. She declined to comment on how the BBC's £500m cost-cutting drive might affect the unit's reputation, though she noted the series saved money by employing more local crews on location than in previous productions.

Blue Planet III starts on Sunday 1 November on BBC1 and iPlayer.