NBC is going back into the wilds of The Americas.
The network has ordered a second season of the natural history documentary series, which debuted in 2025 and is currently re-airing a “fun fact edition” with some additional behind-the-scenes footage and commentary.
Production on season two has begun, with a premiere date slated for 2028. Tom Hanks will return as narrator for the second season, which will explore new regions of the Americas. Along with the full season, NBC has ordered two specials (also with Hanks as narrator): The Americas: A Wild 250th is set to air July 2, and The Americas: Mother’s Day will premiere next year.
Universal Television Alernative Studio and the BBC Studios Natural History Unit produce The Americas.
“We’re thrilled to bring The Americas back into viewers’ homes, taking them on a journey that reveals even more of the extraordinary worlds, iconic landscapes and remarkable wildlife that make North and South America so compelling — all while blending breathtaking scale, discovery, humor and heart,” said Sharon Vuong, executive vp unscripted programming at NBC. “With Tom Hanks’ distinctive voice behind the awe-inspiring visuals and with our partners at UTAS and BBC Studios Natural History Unit, season two is poised to deliver even further on the series’ commitment to unique storytelling and bold explorations of the natural world.”
The Americas drew a solid audience for NBC during the 2024-25 season, drawing 7 million cross-platform viewers over 35 days. This summer’s re-airing — where it’s paired with another natural history series, Surviving Earth — is averaging about 2.65 million same-day viewers, a decent number for the summer.
“The Americas was a bold bet – a cinematic natural history series of this scale hadn’t been seen on broadcast television in years, and thankfully, audiences embraced it in a huge way,” said UTAS president Toby Gorman. “The success of season one gives us the opportunity to dream even bigger for season two, expanding the scope, pushing the filmmaking to new heights, and deepening the emotional connection viewers found with the series. We’re proud to continue our partnership with NBC, BBC Studios Natural History Unit, and Tom Hanks as we bring this next chapter to life.”
Added Mike Gunton, creative director of BBC Studios Natural History Unit and executive producer of the series, “Working on The Americas was absolutely exhilarating. Being able to bring the breath-taking landscapes and unique wildlife of this extraordinary ‘super-continent’ to life was a truly inspiring experience. There are so many more stories to tell and places to explore — we can’t wait to get started on season two. We’re thrilled to continue our exciting partnership with NBC and Universal Television Alternative Studio, and of course having Tom Hanks back on board again is the icing on the cake.”
