Sir David Attenborough’s landmark natural history series Blue Planet III continues tonight, Sunday 8 November, at 8:00 pm GMT on BBC One.
Following last week’s breathtaking premiere into tropical reefs, Episode 2, titled “Open Ocean”, turns the spotlight onto the largest wilderness on Earth. Covering more than half of the planet’s surface, this immense expanse appears at first glance to be a featureless blue desert. Yet beneath and above the waves lies a realm of astonishing resilience, high-stakes survival, and groundbreaking natural drama.
Whether you are watching live on BBC One or catching up via BBC iPlayer, here is everything you need to know about tonight’s episode.
What to expect in Blue Planet III: Open Ocean tonight
Tonight’s journey ventures far beyond the sight of land, revealing how ocean giants, tiny drifters, and aerial pirates survive in a world with no place to hide.
Key Highlights & Sequences:
Bullet The Feeding Frenzy of the Pacific: California sea lions travel miles offshore to join an extraordinary feeding spectacle alongside black skipjack tuna, mahi-mahi, and seabirds targeting vast bait balls.
Bullet The Mysterious Rough-Toothed Dolphin: Having roamed the seas since before woolly mammoths walked the Earth, these elusive mammals showcase sophisticated, rarely-witnessed teamwork and hunting techniques.
Bullet Currents, Drifters & Sargassum Traps: Ocean currents transport entire ecosystems like Smith’s swimming crabs. However, changing ocean conditions have expanded the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt across 5,000 miles. On Mexican beaches, emerging sea turtle hatchlings now face daunting, unnatural mountains of seaweed blocking their path to the sea.
Bullet Aerial Pirates & Human Impact: A single frigatebird mother in the Pacific turns to thievery and follows fishing boats to raise her chick. Meanwhile, in the Atlantic, marine fish farms act as unexpected magnets for gathering sea turtles.
Bullet Climax – Orcas vs. Blue Whale: In a dramatic sequence of power and intelligence, a pod of killer whales coordinates an attack on a fully grown adult blue whale—the largest animal ever to exist.
Blue Planet III Episode 2 TV Schedule & Catch-Up
Bullet Episode Title: Series 1, Episode 2: “Open Ocean”
Bullet Channel: BBC One / BBC One HD
Bullet Air Date: Sunday, 8 November 2026
Bullet Start Time: 8:00 PM GMT
Bullet Runtime: Approx. 58–60 minutes
Bullet Streaming / Catch-Up: Live & On-Demand on BBC iPlayer
Bullet Episode 1 Catch-Up: Episode 1 (“Tropical Seas”) repeats today at 4:15 PM on BBC One
Who narrates Blue Planet III?
Legendary broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough returns to narrate the landmark six-part series, bringing his iconic storytelling to the ocean’s final frontiers.
Set your reminders for 8:00 pm tonight on BBC One to catch this television event.