Tom Hanks and Dia Mirza to add two wildlife epics on discovery+ and Animal Planet

Tom Hanks and Dia Mirza narrate two wildlife shows on TV. Photo: Tom Hanks/Facebook & PR Team

#Tom Hanks# Dia Mirza# Wildlife Shows# Discovery Plus# Animal Planet

IBNS-CMEDIA: Warner Bros. Discovery has added two compelling blue-chip wildlife titles to the discovery+ and Animal Planet content slate this August.

The lineup features The Dooars World, narrated by Dia Mirza, which premiered on August 15 with a simulcast on Discovery and Animal Planet, and The Americas, narrated by Tom Hanks, which debuted on August 18.

Underscoring Animal Planet’s commitment to immersive and impactful storytelling from the animal kingdom, The Americas airs Monday to Friday at 9 pm on Animal Planet, with simultaneous telecasts on Discovery. Both titles are also available to stream on Discovery’s OTT platform, discovery+.

The Dooars World, narrated by Dia Mirza and directed by Shaon Pritam Baral, transports viewers to the lush foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, where the Dooars region forms a vital geographical corridor between India and Bhutan.

The Dooars World, narrated by Dia Mirza and directed by Shaon Pritam Baral, transports viewers to the lush foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, where the Dooars region forms a vital geographical corridor between India and Bhutan.

Tom Hanks narrates The Americas. Photo: PR Team

Here, the elusive red panda roams ancient forests, the iconic Asian one-horned rhinoceros grazes in the tall grasslands, and countless bird species fill the air with colour and song.

The series captures the intricate patterns of coexistence between wildlife and local communities in one of India’s richest biodiversity hotspots, offering a cinematic journey into an ecosystem that thrives on delicate balance.

Shaon Pritam Baral, director of The Dooars World, said, “The Dooars is more than just a landscape, it’s a living, breathing world where wildlife and people share a delicate balance.

Having Dia Mirza’s soulful voice guide this journey adds so much depth and warmth to the storytelling. I’m grateful to Discovery for giving me the platform to share these stories with audiences everywhere, and I hope it inspires viewers to see the Dooars with the same wonder and respect that I do.”

Audiences will experience The Americas—a landmark nature series produced by BBC Studios’ legendary Natural History Unit, in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio, a division of Universal Studio Group.

From the frozen Arctic to the windswept tip of Patagonia, this epic 11-part global event series captures breathtaking, untold wildlife stories from Earth’s most varied landmass—the only one to stretch between both poles.

Emmy Award nominated for Outstanding Narrator (Tom Hanks) and Outstanding Music Composition by Academy Award and Grammy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer, the series showcases extraordinary species adapting to extreme environments, the delicate interconnections that sustain life across the Americas, and the urgent environmental challenges shaping its future.

Tom Hanks narrates The Americas. Photo: PR Team

Sai Abishek, Head of Factual Entertainment, Lifestyle & Kids – South Asia, Warner Bros. Discovery said, “At Warner Bros. Discovery, we love bringing together iconic voices and fresh new talent to tell stories that truly connect. The Dooars World is a great example – first-time director Shaon Pritam Baral pairs with Dia Mirza’s soulful narration to showcase one of India’s most biodiverse regions.

“On the other side of the world, Tom Hanks brings his unmistakable voice to The Americas, an epic journey across two continents. It’s this mix of new energy and established voices that makes our storytelling both spectacular and memorable. Fun fact – The Dooars World was actually discovered during WAVES Film Bazaar (earlier known as Film Bazaar), an initiative of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).”