Hans Zimmer scores 'Lion', National Geographic's epic 4-year cub-to-king saga
Synopsis
Hans Zimmer lending his Oscar-winning ear to a wildlife series is itself a statement. 'Lion' is not a conventional nature documentary — it is a four-year, 1,400-filming-day character study of a single cub set in Kenya's Maasai Mara, narrated by the voice of Mufasa himself. The ambition is unmistakable: this is prestige television wearing a safari jacket.
Key Takeaways
Hans Zimmer has composed the score for 'Lion' , a National Geographic series premiering on 27 August .
The series follows lion cub Kio over a four-year journey from vulnerable cub to king, filmed entirely in Kenya's Maasai Mara .
The production team logged nearly 1,400 filming days across 52 shoots — the most ever spent following a single pride for one production.
The series is narrated by O.J.
Lynch , known for voicing Mufasa in The Lion King stage production.
Executive producers include Jon Favreau and Mike Gunton ; produced by BBC Studios Natural History Unit for National Geographic.
Indian audiences can stream 'Lion' on JioHotstar alongside its National Geographic Channel broadcast.
Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer has scored the music for 'Lion', an upcoming National Geographic series that chronicles the true four-year journey of lion cub Kio from his most vulnerable days to claiming his place as king of the pride. The series premieres on National Geographic Channel on 27 August and streams simultaneously on JioHotstar.
A Record-Breaking Production in Kenya's Maasai Mara
'Lion' was filmed entirely in Kenya's Maasai Mara over a span of four years, with the production team — including local Kenyan filmmakers — logging nearly 1,400 filming days across 52 shoots. That figure represents the most time ever spent in the field following a single pride for a single production. The series is the first natural history production to document a lion's complete journey from vulnerable cub to king.
Storytelling Beyond the Wildlife Documentary
'Lion' moves well beyond the conventions of a traditional wildlife documentary, offering a character-driven narrative grounded entirely in documentary truth. The series is narrated by O.J. Lynch, widely recognised for voicing Mufasa in The Lion King stage production. Through Kio's coming-of-age arc, the series explores themes of family, courage, hope, and survival.
Director and executive producer Jon Favreau described the experience of following the pride over four years as transformative. 'After tracking the lions in the field for four years, the pride never ceased to surprise us,' he said. 'What Kio endures and eventually becomes is extraordinary. Watching this hero's journey unfold against the backdrop of nature was incredible to witness.'
What Hans Zimmer Brings to the Series
Zimmer, celebrated for his scores on the Batman trilogy, Inception, and Interstellar, composed the background music for 'Lion', lending the series a cinematic scale rarely associated with wildlife programming. His involvement signals the production's ambition to blur the line between nature documentary and prestige drama.
India Release and JioStar's Role
Alok Jain, Head of Hindi and English Entertainment Business (Streaming, TV and Studios) at JioStar, called 'Lion' 'a powerful story of survival, family and leadership.' He added that what makes the series 'particularly special is the depth of storytelling behind it,' with filmmakers following Kio over four years to capture his transformation. Jain expressed hope that 'Kio's story inspires a renewed sense of wonder and respect for one of the world's most iconic species.'
Production Team and Premiere Details
The series is produced by BBC Studios Natural History Unit for National Geographic. Jon Favreau and Mike Gunton serve as executive producers, with Jane Atkins as series producer and Simon Blakeney as co-executive producer. Janet Han Vissering and Tom McDonald serve as executive producers for National Geographic. Indian audiences can watch 'Lion' on National Geographic Channel from 27 August and on JioHotstar.
Point of View
A recognisable voice in O.J. Lynch, and a cinematic score can expand the genre's reach well beyond its traditional viewership. Whether that ambition holds up over a four-year arc without the artifice of scripted drama will be the real test. For Indian streaming, JioHotstar's co-release also reflects a broader push to position premium natural history content as appointment viewing rather than background television.
NationPress
25 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National Geographic series 'Lion' about?
'Lion' is a natural history series that documents the true four-year journey of lion cub Kio from his most vulnerable days to becoming king of his pride. It was filmed entirely in Kenya's Maasai Mara and is the first production to document a lion's complete cub-to-king transformation.
Who composed the music for 'Lion'?
Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer, known for his scores on the Batman trilogy, Inception, and Interstellar, composed the background music for 'Lion'. His involvement gives the series a cinematic scale uncommon in wildlife programming.
When and where can viewers in India watch 'Lion'?
'Lion' premieres on National Geographic Channel on 27 August and is also available to stream on JioHotstar simultaneously for Indian audiences.
Who narrates the 'Lion' series?
The series is narrated by O.J. Lynch, who is widely recognised for voicing Mufasa in The Lion King stage production — a casting choice that underscores the show's thematic connection to lion mythology.
Who produced the 'Lion' series and who are the executive producers?
'Lion' is produced by BBC Studios Natural History Unit for National Geographic. Jon Favreau and Mike Gunton serve as executive producers, with Jane Atkins as series producer, Simon Blakeney as co-executive producer, and Janet Han Vissering and Tom McDonald as executive producers for National Geographic.
