Shetland Otters feature on the latest David Attenborough series: Parenthood

Otter family. Photo: Brydon Thomason.

Over the past couple of decades we have enjoyed working on numerous media productions, the majority of which having been drawn here by the largest known density of otters in Europe. To date we have helped showcase otters to audiences across the world in a UK or Scottish based context in documentaries which feature wildlife of the British Isles. But now, featuring in the latest David Attenborough series, Parenthood, Shetland’s otters are showcased in a global context, alongside species from across the world.

Brydon Thomason, Richard Shucksmith, Raymond Besant.

For Shetland’s otters to be profiled at this level, holding their own alongside an A-list cast of the most amazing mums in the natural world really is huge and attests just how good our islands are for them. To work with the sensational team at Silverback again – widely known as one of the best natural history production companies in the world, sharing the species we love the most – and at the highest level, really is such a privilege, but for the story to be told through the world renowned narration of Sir David Attenborough, really is a true honour.

Raymond filming. Photo: Brydon Thomason.

From a personal perspective, to share Shetland’s otters at this level is everything. A childhood dream realised, career goal reached and lifelong ambition achieved all in one. Sharing this experience with my dear friends Richard Shucksmith, (a fellow Shetland otter professional) and Raymond Besant, (Orcadian camera operator) as well as Billy Mail, make the whole experience all the more special. We are all massively grateful to the amazing team at Silverback and all the incredibly talented and wonderful people we worked with, particularly camera operator Katie Wardle and Olly Scholey, producer & director. Shetland’s otters will feature in the ‘Ocean’ episode this Sunday, 10^th August.

Kate Wardle filming. Photo: Brydon Thomason.

Our Shetland otter family shoot was worked on during autumn 2023, into winter 2024. As is always the case, to get the content to build the powerful story-telling sequences these high-end ‘blue chip’ documentaries are renowned for can take many weeks, months, and sometimes even years. In total Richard and I worked for a couple of months, usually in week-long blocks set around daytime tides, and primarily working with Raymond as camera and drone operator, though Richard also shot some of the sequences too.

Raymond filming in snow. Photo: Brydon Thomason.

Working on productions such as these really is such a privilege, not least for the amazing people we meet and work with but especially, profiling the otter families we know so well and of course, keeping Shetland in the spotlight as a world-class wildlife destination. As always, we hope we have done our otters and our isles proud and that you enjoy the show.

Lastly, we share a huge and heartfelt congratulations to everyone who worked so hard on this series. There are so many people, filling so many roles to facilitate and create a series like this that it is impossible to list them. So thank you Silverback for choosing Shetland again to feature on such an inspirational natural history documentary – we look forward to working with you again!

Otter mum and two young cubs. Photo: Brydon Thomason.