BBC brand Netflix’s Sir David Attenborough series Our Planet a ‘rip-off’ of Planet Earth

Sir David Attenborough will voice all eight episodes of new Netflix show Our Planet

Netflix documentary Our Planet has been accused of copying ‘filming techniques’ and even ‘nicking’ presenter David Attenborough from the BBC’s award winning nature shows such as Planet Earth.

A BBC insider said the streaming giant’s new series due to be aired in April 2019 wasn’t ‘in any way original,’ reports the Mirror.

Sir Attenborough, 92, will voice all eight episodes of the ‘ambitious’ Netflix show which was filmed over four years. 

More than 600 members of crew captured 3,500 days of filming across 50 countries to create Our Planet.

However a BBC unit source told the Mirror: ‘They’ve nicked the filming techniques, the stories, even the title from us, not to mention the presenter.

‘And it’s been made by an ex-BBC producer who still makes natural history programmes for the BBC. There is nothing in any way original about this series.’ 

Our Planet was made by Alastair Fothergill, who was also the series producer of the BBC series’ The Blue Planet and Planet Earth.

 

The insider said Our Planet uses a similar title and filming technique to their own nature shows

The insider said Our Planet uses a similar title and filming technique to their own nature shows

Both of the shows use outlines of Earth against their titles and even have similar names

Both of the shows use outlines of Earth against their titles and even have similar names

The trailer for Our Planet opens with a slowly spinning globe and before going to a shot of the sky. 

The BBC’s Planet Earth also starts in a similar way with the earth rotating as the show’s name appears from the darkness.

Speaking at WWF’s State of the Planet Address, Sir Attenborough warned: ‘Today we have become the greatest threat to the health of our home, 

‘But there’s still time for us to address the challenges we’ve created, if we act now. We need the world to pay attention.

BBC insiders have said the Netflix show has 'nicked' the 'stories' and 'name' of show Planet Earth, which is also presented by Sir Attenborough (pictured on Planet Earth)

BBC insiders have said the Netflix show has ‘nicked’ the ‘stories’ and ‘name’ of show Planet Earth, which is also presented by Sir Attenborough (pictured on Planet Earth)

The opening sequence to Our Planet's trailer (pictured) is reminiscent of the BBC's Blue Planet II and has a camera shows the earth spinning

The opening sequence to Our Planet’s trailer (pictured) is reminiscent of the BBC’s Blue Planet II and has a camera shows the earth spinning

‘Our Planet brings together some of the world’s best filmmakers and conservationists, and I’m delighted to help bring this important story to millions of people worldwide.’

According to Netflix, the series will ‘take viewers on an unprecedented journey through some of the world’s most precious natural habitats’ and reveal ‘amazing sights on Earth in ways they’ve never been seen.’ 

Sir David, who has worked with the BBC for more than 60 years, campaigned for humans to cut back on plastic use in Blue Planet.

The insider told the Mirror: ‘Sir David will always be part of the BBC. This is not the end of the ­relationship with him. We’ve just lent him to Netflix.’

And his upcoming series Dynasties, which starts on BBC One on Sunday, warns that the animal kingdom is under threat due to a lack of space. 

Blue Planet II, which Sir Attenborough also narrates, also ends its trailer with a spinning globe

Blue Planet II, which Sir Attenborough also narrates, also ends its trailer with a spinning globe

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