Gavin & Stacey’s Joanna Page is starring in a new BBC documentary, made by North East production company, Twenty Six 03.
Joanna Page’s Wild Life (working title) is a 15 x 30 minute commission for BBC Two, as Page takes steps towards qualifying as an Animal Care Assistant (ACA).
She’ll work alongside Wildlife Aid – one of the UK’s leading wildlife hospitals, to spend her summer immersed wildlife. Like all trainees she’ll start with the more menial, and often smelly tasks, as she hopes to progress towards animal triage, helping in the vet room and going out to rescues.
“Wildlife is severely on the decline, and its important to me to raise awareness that wildlife preservation is necessary for our planet to survive. I’m excited to take fans on my journey to qualifying to be able to work with wildlife and hopefully I can inspire others,” she said.
Viewers will see what happens at Wildlife Aid, including hydrotherapy for hedgehogs, they’ll get to see bats undergoing operations on their wings, as well as special procedures for birds of prey, such as buzzards receiving ultrasounds.
“This new series is perfect for the whole family to sit down and enjoy together,” said Rob Unsworth, Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak Commissioning.
“We’re excited to show viewers a different side to such a well-loved face, and as we see how Joanna gets on with her training, look forward to discovering more about Britain’s wildlife, and the work so many people do to protect it.”
The series will be filmed in Surrey and made by Gateshead-based Twenty Six 03 with Duncan Gray and Antonia Hurford-Jones Executive Producing:
“We’re really excited to be working with Joanna and the Wildlife Aid Foundation to make this series. Joanna’s passion is as authentic as it is inspiring. And we at Twenty Six 03 are looking forward to making a landmark series for BBC2,” they said.
The programme will appear on screens on BBC Two in 2025.
