Off the Fence has signed a new representation agreement with Andrew Zikking’s independent production company, DocYard TV, expanding its premium factual slate with two new wildlife documentaries.
As part of the partnership, the global distributor will represent Hidden Kingdom: Kalahari (2 x 60′) and Ancient Eden: Mayan Jungle (working title, 2 x 60′), both originally commissioned by French-German broadcaster ARTE.
The new titles further strengthen Off the Fence’s nature and wildlife portfolio, combining cinematic storytelling with immersive explorations of two of the world’s most extraordinary ecosystems. The deal also marks an important milestone for the newly launched DocYard TV as it brings its first premium wildlife productions to the international market.
The series were both acquired by OTF’s head of acquisitions Loren Baxter in a deal with Andrew Zikking’s Bristol based indie, DocYard TV. Zikking, former MD of Off the Fence Productions has credits spanning over 200 hours of specialist factual television as an executive, series producer, director and editor, including credits as exec producer of multi award winning documentaries Silverback and My Octopus Teacher.
Hidden Kingdom: Kalahari transports viewers into Botswana’s notoriously harsh Kalahari Desert, to witness extraordinary behaviour from its surprisingly diverse wildlife, including leopard’s, wild dogs, hyena and elephants, all during one of the region’s most severe droughts in centuries.
Ancient Eden: Mayan Jungle is brand-new history/nature documentary co-produced and fronted by O’Neill who will be joined again on the show by his Tiger Island co- presenter and wildlife camera operator Anna Dimitriadis. Alongside a host of scientists and archaeologists, the series explores the enduring mysteries of the Mayans through a fresh lens: their extraordinary impact on the natural world.
Filming in July 2026, during the most powerful El Nino for decades, Dan, Anna and the team will travel to Mexico to study the impact of climate change on the forest’s unique wildlife, and by studying the ancient ruins, culture, and forest, learn lessons from the ancient Mayan civilisation that could provide the key to saving this wild paradise.
Dan O’Neill is a ‘rising star’ biologist and presenter fresh from his presenting and research role, along with Anna Dimitriadis and Max Hug Williams, on primetime BBC hit Tiger Island. O’Neill is also one of the protagonists in new feature How to Live on Earth, a positive, change-making documentary exploring how humanity can thrive by working alongside nature instead of against it. Presented by Benedict Cumberbatch and directed by Fredi Devas, the film is scheduled for a UK theatrical release this month.
Andrew Zikking, founder of DocYard and executive producer of both shows said: ‘Launching DocYard during such changing times in factual television, I knew we would need to do things differently to get any projects off the ground. For Ancient Eden, having worked with Dan O’Neill on many series together, it’s a perfect collaboration and the first of many. He is not only exceptional on-screen talent but has also spent 15 years in deep conservation work and his incredible understanding and knowledge is extremely valuable.
Collaborating more with filmmakers and researchers on the ground, and giving them a bigger role in a project, is a win-win right now – we can get access to the most extraordinary locations, footage and research projects that deserve the spotlight, whilst being able to harness authentic scientific expertise that many broadcasters want, all crucially, at a budget they, and we, can afford. It’s not easy, but then again, nothing is right now. But also partnering with my long-standing colleagues at OTF puts a special detail on this deal – they are best placed to make these shows accessible to as many broadcasters, streamers, platforms and channels to allow audiences wherever they are to step into these worlds.’
Dan O Neill said: “Calakmul is one of the most extraordinary places I’ve ever worked, a vast forest with no rivers, entirely fuelled by ever changing rains. It is exceptionally alive. I’ve been monitoring the wildlife here for nearly a decade, and the more time I spend in it, the more I find myself asking not just what lives here, but why, and how. What we’re beginning to understand is that the answer lies buried in the ruins around us. The ancient Maya inhabited this landscape, and what’s more, they engineered it. In an era of accelerating climate change and biodiversity loss, this fascinating history could be the source of a survival blueprint for our future.”
Anna Dimitriadis said: “Whenever I step foot in a forest, I get this feeling that there’s something incredible waiting to be discovered, and this jungle is no exception. With cutting-edge technology, we’re getting closer than ever to its wildlife and uncovering an extraordinary truth – that the ancient Maya may have played a key role in creating and sustaining this wild paradise.”
The news comes as OTF steps up its focus on breathing life back into the natural history genre with the announcement of a recent new collaboration with John Downer Productions and One Tribe TV. The agreement comes with a development slate of natural history projects, offering co-development and co-production opportunities, marking a first-of-its-kind partnership in the genre.
