Following an exciting pre-screening of National Geographic’s much anticipated LION this past week, there are a few things you need to know about this real-life drama, set to air on National Geographic and National Geographic Wild from Sunday, 23 August 2026. Hosted at the stunning new The Venue at Nine Yards in Johannesburg, guests were treated to a morning of exceptional entertainment and gripping visual storytelling.
LION is Not Your Ordinary Series
Executive produced by The Lion King Director, Jon Favreau and BBC Studios Natural History Unit’s Mike Gunton, LION – an epic four-part event series – chronicles the incredible four-year journey of a lion cub named Kio.
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Apart from the big names directing the series, LION’s score was composed by none other than Academy Award®-winning Hans Zimmer, alongside Bleeding Fingers Music’s Niccolò Pacella and George Hutson Warren, as well as additional vocals from the Nairobi Chamber Chorus. The sounds in the series are tangible, with recordings captured in the Maasai Mara – including local singers, instruments and even lion roars – leaving an impression on viewers’ senses as they follow Kio as he grows into the king he is seemingly destined to be.
Kio’s story is narrated by O.J. Lynch (Mufasa, The Lion King stage production) and together with Favreau’s distinctive storytelling and passion and Gunton’s exceptional natural history expertise, the series – with Jane Atkins as series producer and Simon Blakeney as co-executive producer – will most likely exceed your expectations when it comes to wildlife documentaries. Ultimately, LION is a gripping blockbuster drama rooted in documentary truth, executive produced for National Geographic by Janet Han Vissering and Tom McDonald.
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A Four-Part LION Series, Four Years in the Making
LION is the result of four years’ worth of tracking Kio’s pride in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. From his vulnerable first steps to becoming king, the series documents what Kio endures and how what he eventually becomes, is extraordinary.
Favreau says: “After tracking the lions in the field for four years, the pride never ceased to surprise us… Watching the hero’s journey against the backdrop of nature was incredible to witness.”
Impressively, this is the first natural history production to document a lion’s complete journey from cub to king. The crew, including local Kenyan filmmakers, logged nearly 1,400 filming days across 52 shoots – the most time ever spent in the field exclusively following a single pride.
Nostalgic Viewing for Animal and Animation Lovers Alike
Throughout the first two episodes (and most likely the following episodes too), the series echoes various themes that made The Lion King such a much-loved film. From musical hints and Kio’s adorable demeanor to the kings of the pride and high-stakes adventure, it’s a four-part series that will keep both young and old on the edge of their seats. Driven by a sweeping coming-of-age saga of family, hope and courage, this wildlife drama certainly comes with a lot of heart and offers powerful co-viewing experiences for families and anyone who enjoys good storytelling.
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Production with Purpose
In celebration of National Geographic’s LION, Disney continues its work in conservation with its Protect the Pride campaign, supporting the Wildlife Conservation Network’s Lion Recovery Fund (LRF) and its partners working across Africa. The vision of the campaign aligns with that of the LRF and that is to help double the number of lions in the wild by 2050. Since the launch of the Protect the Pride campaign in 2019, more than $5 million has been invested in LRF by Disney. To date, LRF’s network has helped support more than 400 conservation projects across 26 countries, with the focus on stabalising and recovering lion populations through locally-driven solutions.
LION debuts on National Geographic (DStv 181 and Startimes 220) and National Geographic Wild (DStv 182 and Startimes 221) on Sunday, 23 August 2026, at 21:00 and 18:00 respectively, across Africa, with a double bill each week. The series will also be available on Disney+ in South Africa.
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