National Geographic May 2020 Highlights

X-RAY EARTH

Wednesdays at 21:00 from 27 May (ends 10 June)

Beneath our feet, under trillions of tons of rock, lurk astonishing and deadly secrets. Earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions are all driven by hidden forces deep inside our planet. Now, using the latest scientific data from sensors and surface scans, we can x-ray the Earth to reveal the dangers locked inside our planet. Using thousands of sensors and state of the art surface scan information, for the first time, we can create x-rays of the deep interior of our planet.

Volcano and earthquake danger zone in the Pacific Ring of Fire. (National Geographic)

AIRPORT SECURITY: PERU AND BRAZIL

Thursdays at 19:00 from 7 May (ends 25 June)

This season features four episodes, each at two of Latin America’s biggest airports: Lima, Peru’s Jorge Chavez and Brazil’s Paulo-Guarulhos. Police are on high alert. Their main challenges: illegal immigration and the trafficking of cocaine. From hidden compartments and ingested capsules to fake documents, officers work 24/7 to protect their borders and stop criminals in their tracks. Watch the action from behind the scenes.

São Paulo, Brazil – Modalidad. The expert analyzes the mobility that the passenger uses. (National Geographic/Mario Lazcano)

SAVING NOTRE DAME

Thursday 19 May at 19:00

In April 2019, a massive fire ripped through the Notre-Dame de Paris, leaving it on the verge of collapse. Long before the last ember was extinguished, the French vowed to rebuild their beloved cathedral that has been at the heart of French culture for nearly 900 years. The task at hand is enormous and those challenged with restoration have no idea what they’re facing. In this special presentation with exclusive access, we go into the rubble with the heroes who are risking their lives to stabilize what’s left of Notre-Dame so that she can be restored to her former glory.

In April 2019, the world’s most famous cathedral caught fire. Notre-Dame de Paris was ablaze and with the world watching, firefighters fought the inferno for hours. Exclusive footage and interviews tell the story of their courage, as they risk all to save a global icon. (Galaxie Presse/BSPP)

SKELETONS OF THE INCA REBELLION

Friday 15 May at 20:00

A cemetery crammed with skeletons offers tantalizing clues about the collapse of the Inca. Crime-lab science, archeology, and history challenge what we know about the final days of the once-mighty ancient empire. Now, the long-accepted story that the Spanish conquest of the Inca achieved with guns, steel, and horses is being updated with surprising new evidence, including what may be the first gunshot wound in the Americas.

STONEHENGE DECODED: UPDATE (2)

Friday 22 May at 20:00

Stonehenge Decoded (2009) exposed the puzzle that is Stonehenge. There are many disputed theories about this giant stone circle. The Romans imagined a temple to the sun god Apollo. Medieval legend said it was the work of the wizard Merlin. Professor Mike Parker Pearson and his team unearthed evidence that reveals Stonehenge may not have stood in isolation but was part of one of the largest prehistoric religious complexes in the world. Within this complex, they discovered remains of the largest prehistoric settlement in northern Europe. And at its center stood an extraordinary near replica of Stonehenge itself, built not in stone but wood. Professor Pearson believed at the time that Stonehenge was not a temple to the Sun or prehistoric Gods, but a great monument dedicated to the ancestors of these Stone Age people, built to house the spirits of the dead. Recent discoveries at Stonehenge and other Neolithic sites may have finally proved his theory.

In June 2018, at the German Stonehenge-Pommelte site, an archaeologist unearthed the dismembered remains of more than 20 men, women and children. This find suggests that this site was used for ritual sacrifices. The ritual use of this site and its dates connect it to Stonehenge and other Neolithic circles in Britain. In this update, we will use interviews, archive footage and original filming to reveal new discoveries and provide insight into these archaeological mysteries. Stonehenge Decoded: Update will transport us back 4,500 years to the world of Stonehenge and Pommelte and put the last ten years of science and discovery into focus.

CGI Stills – Stonehenge: Decoded- Sunset at Stonehenge mid summer solstice.

CONTINUING SHOWS

WICKED TUNA S9

Mondays at 20:00 from 6 April (ends 29 June)

Three new Captains arrive in Gloucester with one goal – to defeat the local fleet. But they have their work cut out for them challenging the battle-proven Gloucester captains. Five-time champion Captain Dave Carraro of FV-Tuna.com feels the pressure as he fights to win another title, and the Gloucester captains and crews rally with and against him for bragging rights to their turf. In a fast-paced season, the brawl for bluefin comes down to the final fish, and a stunning finish for the season’s victor.

The new boats on Wicked Tuna (left to right) Fat Tuna, Kraken, and Wasabi. (PFTV)

SCIENCE OF STUPID S8

Fridays at 19:00 from 10 April (ends 29 May)

Science of Stupid, series 8. Dallas Campbell hosts the show that combines serious science with some of the craziest, most spectacular user-generated clips ever recorded. In each programme we show 40 to 50 clips of misadventure: ordinary folk making extraordinary mistakes and paying the price. We analyse the science behind the mishaps, with the help of bespoke animation and super slow-motion cinematography.

Woman on trapeze. (National Geographic)

LAWLESS ISLAND S2

Mondays at 19:00 from 13 April (ends 15 June)

The volatile climate of Southeast Alaska challenges Port Protection’s residents who live on the edge of society. Gary battles father time while securing needed resources. Curly pushes through in the wake of a tragic loss. Mary faces her fears to survive in extreme conditions. Sam fights to preserve the only lifestyle he’s ever known. Squibb looks to improve upon his surroundings. And Stuart deals with past injuries as he battles the elements.

PORT PROTECTION, ALASKA- Mary goes fishing. (Photo Credit: National Geographic Channels/ Jesse Phinney)

COSMOS: POSSIBLE WORLDS

Wednesdays at 20:00, from 11 March (ends 10 June)

In the vastness of time and the immensity of space, the number of worlds to explore and stories to tell are infinite. This boldest COSMOS yet is a thrilling, hope-filled voyage of exploration to lost worlds and worlds yet to come. You’ll meet the searchers whose courage rivals any hero of myth. And it will carry you deep into the future and through that hole in the curtain of reality.

Our sun is born, endowing worlds to come with precious minerals, diamonds and green olivine. COSMOS: POSSIBLE WORLDS premieres March 9, 2020 on National Geographic. (Cosmos Studios)

CAR SOS – S8

Tuesdays at 20:00 from 17 March (ends 19 May)

Making motoring dreams come true for an eighth season, award-winning Car SOS is back, and this time it’s bigger and better than ever. Everyone’s favourite petrol heads Fuzz Townshend and Tim Shaw continue their mission to seek out classic cars with deserving owners. Using all their guile and restoration knowledge, their aim is to sneak away clapped out classics without their owners knowing, then in a blizzard of grease and grime and hard graft, get the much-loved motors back where they deserve to be, on the road. In this series, the boys take on their biggest challenges ever. Chronic rust, hard to find parts and broken engines test the boys to their limits. Cars ranging across eight decades from a vintage tourer to a 1990s Japanese supercar, from an iconic German sports coupe to a very rare British rally winner, and, for their lucky owners, the surprise they will never forget. There will be tears, there will be laughter on this automotive rollercoaster and one thing is guaranteed – there will be some very beautiful cars.

CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND – The Car SOS team of Tim Shaw and Fuzz Townshend reveal the finished Singer 9 Le Mans to the Pigg Family at Duxford Imperial War Museum.

(photo credit: National Geographic Channels/Jon Scorer)

By Andrew Germishuys

Founder of SAMDB | Actor | Armourer | Tech Enthusiast With over two decades in the film industry, I'm a seasoned actor and skilled armourer. I hold numerous certifications in acting and filmmaking, complemented by degrees and diplomas in IT and technology, giving me a unique blend of creative and technical expertise. When I'm not on set or in the workshop, you'll find me immersed in the world of gaming and VR, fuelling my passion for cutting-edge technology. Connect with me: X / Twitter Facebook Instagram Mastodon Threads Explore my work on SAMDB IMDb