A landmark BBC natural history series that explores the astonishing diversity of life beneath the waves off the coast of Wales.
Taking viewers on an incredible journey of discovery around the spectacular coast of Wales, Wonders of the Celtic Deep is a blue-chip natural history series filmed in Ultra High Definition (UHD) by some of the film-makers behind Human Planet and The Blue Planet - in an area of the world which has never previously been explored in such detail.
The team has captured an incredible array of species including blue sharks and fin whales - the second biggest animal on the planet after blue whales - along with seabirds that can 'fly' underwater, and fish that can breathe on land. The final episode in the series also highlights the work of scientists and volunteers around Wales and investigates the bigger environmental issues raised by the series.
Wonders of the Celtic Deep is narrated by multi-BAFTA Award-winning Welsh actress Dame Siân Phillips, accompanied by a soundtrack composed by world-renowned Welsh composer Paul Mealor and performed by the BBC's National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales. The filmmakers have captured some remarkable and exciting new behaviours that have never been filmed in UK waters: such as the courtship rituals of bottle nosed dolphins in Cardigan Bay as they seek a mate using a unique dialect, whistling on a higher frequency than dolphins elsewhere, as well as astonishing footage of congregating basking sharks. The dive team also filmed on the wreck of the SS Gwynfaen cargo ship, 1.5 km off-shore in Caernarfon Bay and home to a diverse array of creatures including sex shifting cuckoo wrasse, Dead Man's Fingers coral, huge sea urchins, an ancient lobster and a giant conga eel.
Siân Phillips comments: "I feel so privileged to be a part of this life-changing series. As for the beauty and the wonder of it - it shows us things never before filmed and these film makers have an eye for the wit and humour as well as the tragedy of life in the Deep".
Rhuanedd Richards, Head of Content and Services BBC Wales says: "Who isn't enthralled by the wonders of our seas and the fascinating creatures that lie beneath them? For many of us, this secret world is shrouded in mystery, but this wonderful new series guides us expertly through what lies beyond our Welsh shores."
She adds: "This series is available in Ultra High Definition which gives the viewer a remarkable viewing experience. The marvellous music composed by Paul Mealor and expertly performed by our very own BBC National Orchestra of Wales takes this series to the next level. It really is fantastic."
Dale Templar, Executive Producer: "I made the first ever high definition (HD) natural history landmark production at BBC Wales "Human Planet", it's wonderful to be back exactly ten years later making "Wonders of the Celtic Deep", the first ever UHD production using the new post production facilities at BBC Wales, Central Square. In another first, we have dubbed Paul Mealor's cinematic music score and astonishing track lay in 5.1 surround sound.
