DARA Ó BRIAIN RETURNS TO SPACE FOR CHANNEL 5 TO EXPLORE THE WONDERS OF THE SUN WITH BBC STUDIOS & KREMPELWOOD

Following the success of last year’s Channel 5 series Wonders of the Moon with Dara Ó Briain, the comedian, author, amateur astronomer and astrophotographer is set to explore space once again, this time focusing on the Moon’s fiery cousin, the Sun, in a new 2 x 60’ series co-produced by BBC Studios Science Unit and Krempelwood – Wonders of the Sun with Dara Ó Briain. 

This two-part series for Channel 5 will see Dara Ó Briain embark on another journey of discovery, this time exploring our relationship with the Sun.

We first join Dara as he takes in the rarest of solar events – a total solar eclipse – sharing his experience with thousands of others. From there,  Dara meets with solar experts at the forefront of their fields – from medical researchers to astronauts. He’ll be talking to scientists figuring out how to protect the Earth from solar superstorms and engineers actually building a Sun on Earth, in the form of the world’s largest nuclear fusion reactor.

The Sun, a 4.5-billion-year-old star really does dominate our lives, because without it, we quite literally wouldn’t be here.

Dara Ó Briain said: “I am thrilled to bring you these documentaries about the Sun, and how it both created us and will ultimately destroy us. Along the way, we see incredible things: including my first ever total solar eclipse, Nasa mission control in Houston, and the core of the world's largest Nuclear fusion reactor. We learn how it all began, and how it will all end. I mean what more can we show you?!"

Denise Seneviratne, Commissioning Editor, Non-Scripted UK Originals, Channel 5 said: “Wonders of the Moon was such a joy to bring to Channel 5 and there is no better person to help explore our nearest star than Dara Ó Brian. As the recent incredible Northern Lights display across the UK last week demonstrated, the Sun can be powerful and unpredictable! This will take us on a truly illuminating adventure that will shed light on how the Sun shapes our existence”. 

Steve Crabtree, Executive Producer, BBC Studios Science Unit: “It’s fantastic to be working with Channel 5 and Dara again. Our audience loved his warmth, enthusiasm and enquiring mind and now he gets to do it all over again, but this time about the star that we wouldn’t, and couldn’t exist without, the star that controls the Earth’s ultimate destiny. Our Sun.”

Wonders of the Sun with Dara Ó Briain (w/t), a 2 x 60’ series commissioned by Denise Seneviratne - Commissioning Editor, Non-Scripted UK Originals, Channel 5 from BBC Studios Science Unit, ,it  was developed by the Creative Director, UK Unscripted - Emma Lorenz.  It will be Directed by Ross Kirby and Executive Produced by Steve Crabtree and is a co-production with Krempelwood.      

Wonders of the Moon with Dara Ó Briain aired on Channel 5 in August 2023 and is available to stream on My5. A transmission date for Wonders of the Sun with Dara Ó Briain will be announced in due course. 

For further enquiries please contact: 

Hannah Allan  | hannah.allan@paramount.com

Susan Wilks | susan.wilks@paramount.com

For images please contact the picture desk: picturepublicity@paramount.com  

Notes to Editors: 

Wonders of the Moon with Dara Ó Briain   

Wonders of the Moon with Dara Ó Briain aired in August 2023 on Channel 5. The show averaged 1.2m viewers and 8% share over 2 episodes, growing 12% versus the slot for Individuals. ABC1s performed well and increased 44% with a share of 9%, and 16-34s were up 38% vs the slot with a share of 4%.   The top episode was episode 1 with 1.2m viewers and 9% share.    

About Channel 5   

Channel 5 is a multi-award-winning public service broadcaster and the UK’s third largest commercial TV station. Launched in March 1997, Channel 5 has been part of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS) since its acquisition in September 2014. Its portfolio includes digital channels 5STAR, 5USA, 5SELECT, 5ACTION.   

Channel 5 and on-demand platform My5 offer a diverse range of critically acclaimed, original programmes featuring well-known faces and fresh new talent – from issue-led documentaries, popular factual series and accessible history shows to premium drama and agenda-setting news & current affairs. Channel 5 is the only PSB to air children’s content daily through its much-loved programming strand Milkshake!, home to some of the world’s favourite pre-school characters. The free to air channel’s distinctive British programming aims to tell the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the UK. 

This year Channel 5 has continued to attract industry acclaim for documentary White Nanny Black Child, winning both a BAFTA Television Award (Specialist Factual) and an RTS Award, whilst Endurance Race to the Pole received a BAFTA nomination in the Factual Entertainment category. In 2023, Who Killed Billie Jo? won best documentary series at the inaugural True Crime Awards and home-grown drama All Creatures Great and Small took home the Stress Buster Award at the Radio Times’ Screen Test Awards.

About BBC Studios   

BBC Studios is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC Group with sales of £2.1 billion (2021/22: £1,630 million). Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, the business is built on two operating areas: the global Content Studio, which produces, invests and distributes content globally and Channels & Streaming, with BBC branded channels, services and joint ventures in the UK and internationally. Around 2,500 hours of award-winning British programmes are made by the business every year, with over 80% of total BBC Studios revenues coming from non-BBC customers including Discovery, Apple and Netflix. Its content is internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, with brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, Top Gear, the Planet series, Bluey and Doctor Who. BBC.com is BBC Studios’ global digital news platform, offering up-to-the-minute international news, in-depth analysis and features.