Jon Favreau-Backed Wildlife Series ‘LION’ Set for India Premiere on August 27
National Geographic is scheduled to premiere LION, a four-year natural history docuseries executive produced by Jon Favreau and Mike Gunton, in India on August 27. The project tracks the life of an individual cub named Kio in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, detailing his progression from early vulnerability to full maturity.
What Happened
The natural history series was produced by the BBC Studios Natural History Unit for National Geographic, with Jane Atkins serving as series producer and Simon Blakeney as co-executive producer. Over a four-year timeline, the production crew, which featured local Kenyan filmmakers, spent approximately 1,400 days on the ground across 52 individual shoots following a single pride.
The makers describe the production as the first natural history project to chronicle a lion’s comprehensive path from cub to king. Speaking on the four-year effort, executive producer Jon Favreau noted that tracking the pride continuously delivered surprises, stating that what Kio endures and eventually becomes is extraordinary.
The series also includes an original score led by Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer, alongside Niccolò Pacella and George Hutson Warren of Bleeding Fingers Music Group. The series theme was co-composed by Lebo M., Andrew Christie, and Zimmer. The soundtrack incorporates the voices of the Nairobi Chamber Chorus, local singers, traditional instrumentation, lion roars, and subtle musical references to The Lion King.
Key Highlights
- Premiere Date: Debuts in India on August 27 at 7 PM on National Geographic India and streaming on JioHotstar.
- Broadcast Schedule: Following the launch, subsequent new episodes will air every Thursday at 7 PM.
- Long-Term Tracking: Filmed over four years and 1,400 filming days across 52 shoots in Kenya’s Maasai Mara.
- Central Narrative: Focuses on Kio, tracing his journey from cub to a mature lion while addressing themes of family, survival, courage, and leadership.
- Musical Score: Led by Hans Zimmer with Bleeding Fingers Music Group, featuring vocal contributions from the Nairobi Chamber Chorus and co-composition by Lebo M. and Andrew Christie.
Why This Matters
According to Alok Jain, Head of Hindi and English Entertainment Business at JioStar, following Kio continuously over a four-year span enabled the crew to document a complete physical and behavioral transformation. The project combines cinematic production techniques with dedicated, multi-year field observation to capture a single animal’s survival and maturation within its pride.
What to Watch Next
Viewers in India can watch the initial broadcast on National Geographic India at 7 PM on August 27, or stream it on JioHotstar. Subsequent installments are scheduled to air weekly every Thursday in the same evening timeslot.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where will LION premiere in India?
LION premieres in India on August 27 at 7 PM on National Geographic India, with streaming access available on JioHotstar. New episodes will air weekly on Thursdays at 7 PM.
What is the central focus of the series?
The documentary centers on Kio, a lion cub in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, capturing his complete transition from cub to mature lion over a four-year observation period.
Who produced and scored the series?
The series was produced by BBC Studios Natural History Unit for National Geographic, with Jon Favreau and Mike Gunton as executive producers. The score is led by composer Hans Zimmer, alongside Bleeding Fingers Music Group, Lebo M., Andrew Christie, and the Nairobi Chamber Chorus.
Source: Bollywood Hungama