The upcoming four-part series from National Geographic will immerse viewers in Maasai Mara to tell the captivating story of Kio—a cub whose journey may lead him to the top of the pride.
The series 'Lion' tracks Kio's development over four years, showing his transformation from a vulnerable infant to an adult animal. It offers an unusually close look at the hardships, relationships, and dangers that define a lion's life in the wild.
The film crew, which included Kenyan cinematographers, spent nearly 1400 days in the field, covering 52 shoots to follow one pride. This production is the first documentary about a lion's full life cycle—from cub to king.
Executive producer John Favreau, director of the live-action 'The Lion King,' and Mike Ganton from BBC Studios' Natural History division were involved. The musical score is based on Hans Zimmer's 'Bleeding Fingers Music,' utilizing recordings made in Maasai Mara, including sounds of local singers, instruments, and lion roars.
At the heart of the narrative is Kio and his close bond with his mother. Her care and protection give the young lion a chance to survive the difficult early stages of life and possibly rise among the pride someday.
National Geographic positions 'Lion' not just as a traditional nature documentary, but as a series rooted in documentary truth yet presented with the scale and emotional storytelling characteristic of a blockbuster.
In May, writer Lisa Abdellah of Getaway Senior Features visited Kenya for a preview of 'Lion,' where she familiarized herself with the habitats of famous Maasai Mara lion populations. During her visit, Lisa spoke with two women behind the production: cinematographer Sophie Darlington and Field Director and Producer Faith Musumbi.
The cinematographers discussed the challenges of observing lions in the field and the experience of documenting Kio's remarkable journey. Faith also shared information about her own path in film production and her work creating opportunities for storytellers about African wildlife and conservation.
Musumbi is the founder of Nuru Film Institute—a training center in Maasai Mara focused on creating career paths for African cinematographers working on wildlife and conservation stories.
The premiere of the series 'Lion' will take place on National Geographic and National Geographic Wild in Africa on Sunday, August 23, 2026. In South Africa, the series will be broadcast on National Geographic via DStv 181 and on National Geographic Wild via DStv 182, with a double screening every week. Additionally, the series will be available for streaming in South Africa on Disney+.
The series is also part of Disney's ongoing 'Protect the Pride' campaign, which supports the Wildlife Conservation Network Lion Recovery Fund and conservation partners working across Africa. The goal of this initiative is to double the number of wild lions by 2050.