The BBC revealed the series at his 100th birthday concert at London's Royal Albert Hall, where Prince William and King Charles led tributes.
The celebration featured messages from celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio and Judi Dench, performances by Sigur Rós and Dan Smith, and repeated standing ovations.
Attenborough's seven-decade career was hailed for transforming public understanding of nature and influencing environmental action, including pressure to curb single-use plastics after Blue Planet II.
His legacy is celebrated, but can his influence outpace the scientific models predicting massive species loss by 2070?
As biodiversity loss accelerates, is a message of 'urgent optimism' still the most effective approach for change?
Blue Planet III Launches in 2026 with Sir David Attenborough at 100, Advancing Ocean Protection Goals
Overview
Blue Planet III, produced by BBC Studios' Natural History Unit and narrated by Sir David Attenborough on his 100th birthday, is set for release in late 2026 with global distribution. Building on the groundbreaking impact of Blue Planet II, which sparked the 'Attenborough Effect' by raising public awareness and driving policy changes on plastic pollution, this new series uses innovative filming technologies to explore five underwater habitats. It highlights urgent ocean threats like industrial exploitation, pollution, and climate change, while promoting hope through marine protected areas and conservation success stories. Blue Planet III aims to inspire global action and support educational initiatives to protect our oceans for the future.