Lupita Nyong’o recalls the first time she touched a giraffe as a child in Kenya, where wildlife was an integral part of her surroundings.
Now, the Academy Award-winning actress is lending her voice to “Serengeti,” a Discovery docuseries showcasing the lives of animals in one of Africa’s most iconic landscapes.
Nyong’o has long been involved in conservation efforts and has spent time exploring Kenya’s national parks.
So when producer Simon Fuller approached her to narrate “Serengeti,” which follows the lives of lions, baboons, elephants, and other animals, she enthusiastically accepted.
“I’ve never heard someone like me narrate these kinds of documentaries,” Nyong’o told The Associated Press, reflecting on the opportunity to bring her African heritage into the narrative.
“Serengeti,” premiering on Sunday at 8 p.m. on Discovery, takes viewers on an intimate journey with various animal families in Tanzania’s vast Serengeti region.
The series, directed by renowned wildlife filmmaker John Downer, highlights the personal struggles of the animals, offering a fresh perspective on their lives.
One of the featured stories includes Kali, a lioness who is cast out of her pride after mating outside of it. Now, she must raise her cubs alone.
Another storyline follows Bakari, a baboon vying for the affection of a female who favors the group leader.
Tembo, a young elephant, also navigates the challenges of his new sibling’s arrival, finding his place in the herd.
Downer explains that what sets “Serengeti” apart from other nature programs is its focus on the emotional and familial dynamics of the animals.
“It’s more personal,” he said. “We see reflections of ourselves in them as they face challenges similar to our own, but in a world centered on survival.”
Simon Fuller, known for producing “American Idol,” was inspired to create the series by his experiences watching wildlife in the Serengeti.
The crew filmed for two years on a private reserve bordering the national park, away from tourist areas, allowing uninterrupted access to the animals’ natural behaviors.
The team captured thousands of hours of footage, which were then distilled into six episodes. Downer emphasized that the animals themselves often guided the storylines.
“We would adjust the narrative based on what unfolded in real-time,” he said, sometimes abandoning initial plots to follow more compelling developments.
Drones were essential for tracking the animals, and Fuller recalled a particularly dramatic moment when a drone captured footage of an animal being killed by a snake.
While the series showcases many uplifting moments, it doesn’t shy away from the harsher realities of life in the wild.
One crew member was deeply affected by witnessing the death of a young animal but, despite his emotional response, knew they couldn’t intervene.
Nyong’o’s favorite character in the series is Bakari, the baboon who takes on a caregiving role when disaster strikes his group. “His journey is really touching,” she said.
The series also gave her a new perspective on hyenas, animals she once feared. “I still have a fear of them,” she admitted, “but now I appreciate their role in the ecosystem.”
“Serengeti” originally aired in the UK, where it was narrated by Nyong’o’s friend and “Star Wars” co-star, John Boyega.
Both actors were thrilled to narrate a series set in their ancestral lands, bringing an African voice to stories often told by outsiders.
Nyong’o hopes the series will inspire a greater connection to Africa’s natural resources, especially for those living on the continent.
“Even in Kenya, there’s a sense that our wildlife is for others to enjoy,” she said. “But it’s important for us to embrace and appreciate the nature we have.”
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