Savage Kingdom comes to the screens this weekend with factual plots full of slaughter, treachery and lust that will enthral viewers.
It combines the spellbinding imagery and captivating camerawork witnessed in natural history series such as Blue Planet 2, with story lines engrossing as global television’s most popular dragons and dynasties drama.
Drawing parallels with fantasy epic Game of Thrones, the multi award-winning series set in the seven kingdoms of Westeros, is so easy to make, not only by watching the brutal, murderous struggles for power in the animal kingdom but also listening to its absorbing narration.
The distinctive voice of the four-part series which comes to Nat Geo Wild this Sunday is none other than that of Charles Dance, the British actor acclaimed for his role as Game of Thrones’ cunning and devious king-maker, Tywin Lannister.
NATGEOWILD
Botswana provides a range of suitable habitats for lions, including wetlands and semi-desert regions
The whole struggle for survival out in the bush is not unlike the struggle in the medieval, feudal state that the fictional Game of Thrones is set in
Dance’s theatrical lines sound as if they come straight from the script of the fantasy drama as he tells the story of Sekekama, undisputed King of the Marsh Pride, a majestic and powerful big cat ready to fight to the death to protect his domain in the remote wetlands of Botswana.
Sekekama the lion king is assailed from all quarters. His three sons are potential usurpers; the Northern Pride pushed from rich feeding grounds crave revenge.
In the first episode, titled the Enemy Within, the old king flexes his muscles and tenses his huge jaws to put down his sons’ rebellion.
“The king is back and he smells your betrayal,” says Dance, ratcheting up the dramatic scenes as a face-off begins at a favoured watering hole.
NATGEOWILD
Savage Kingdom depicts the fight for survival that lions endure in the wild
“Sekekama will put them in their place and keep them there. This is the job of a real king.”
In a gripping confrontation, father defeats son, for now.
“Sekekama has killed the likes of you before,” Dance purrs.
“There can only be one king and I am going nowhere.”
NATGEOWILD
Charles Dance, acclaimed for his role in Game of Thrones, recorded the narration for the series
As Nat Geo Wild begins its Wild Africa month, Express.co.uk caught up with the multi award-winning Savage Kingdom narrator to talk about the series’ parallels with one of the planet’s most popular dramas.
Dance’s character, Tywin, had an unceremonious demise in Game of Thrones’ series four, murdered by son Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) while sitting on a lavatory.
It is not the denouement he expects for such a noble and majestic specimen as Sekekama, yet Dance sees many parallels between the lion’s life in the African wilderness as those of the power-seekers of mythical Westeros.
“The whole struggle for survival out in the bush is not unlike the struggle in the medieval, feudal state that the fictional Game of Thrones is set in, with people jostling for power and doing whatever they can to survive,” he explains.
“I was not aware that the life of lions was such a struggle.”
Dance has witnessed the big cats first hand, visiting the Botswana location after filming.
It left him full of admiration and respect for the king of the animals.
“We were about 10ft from a pride and they were just sleeping,” he continues.
“I don’t know if they had just had a decent feed or not, they were lying there.
“But the size of these animals, and having seen the film and knowing what they are capable of, is awesome. As a species we are pathetic when it comes to strength and brute force.”
Savage Kingdom starts this Sunday at 6pm on Nat Geo WILD
