In what is the coolest team up (of talent) in recent weeks, director Darren Aronofsky and actor Will Smith have joined forces for a natural history documentary series called One Strange Rock. It is Aronofsky’s first TV project with him serving as executive producer while Will Smith is playing hosting duty. That said, it’s not just the collective weight of the two men that has us intrigued but the premise of the show that can be found on Nat Geo. For one thing, it is filmed “across six continents and in 45 countries, with exclusive aerial shots from the International Space Station”. Each one-hour episode is focused on one particular feature that makes planet earth so special. “The premiere, Gasp, examines the multiple symbiotic relationships throughout the universe which courier to us the life-sustaining gift that is oxygen. Episode 2, Storm, details the random, freak cosmic accidents that occurred over the past few billion years that have directly shaped the world we inhabit today.
” The ten-episode series is anchored by astronauts such as Chris Hadfield, Jeff Hoffman, Mae Jemison, Jerry Linenger, Mike Massimino, Leland Melvin, Nicole Stott and Peggy Whitson. Speaking about the show, Aronofsky noted, “We looked at the different systems that make this spaceship work. Oxygen was pretty much the big one because pretty much every creature on the planet needs oxygen.” He added: “From the beginning this show was from the point of view of the astronauts, and we were excited about that because we wanted that perspective. When we looked back, to a T, every single one of them had a very similar spiritual experience where they were able to perceive the planet as a single spaceship going through space.
What’s fascinating and interesting is the ones who went on long voyages and the ones who went on short voyages, they all have that same transitional overview [and] they all were moved by it.” As for why Will Smith was roped in as host, Aronofsky explained, “We wanted someone who could connect to all of us, which is what movie stars do. They are a great bridge for that. I think he is just one of the most charming, accessible, intelligent movie stars out there.” At a time when we are constantly reminded of all that is wrong, a series that looks at planet earth as a miracle and reminds us of it could very well be the hopeful TV experience we’re all looking for.