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The Times & The Sunday Times
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Obama to narrate new Netflix nature documentary

Keiran Southern
, Los Angeles
The Times
Barack Obama is presenting Netflix’s new nature documentary, called Our Great National Parks
Barack Obama is presenting Netflix’s new nature documentary, called Our Great National Parks
NOT KNOWN
Keiran Southern
, Los Angeles
The Times

Barack Obama is lending his distinctive voice to a forthcoming Netflix nature documentary series about national parks, the latest project from his production deal with the streaming giant.

The former US president will narrate Our Great National Parks, which will include footage from Kenya, the US, Chile, Indonesia and elsewhere.

In a trailer, Obama described the series as a “celebration of our greatest national parks and wilderness”.

The show will visit Kenya, Chile, the US among other locations
The show will visit Kenya, Chile, the US among other locations

Obama, who protected vast swathes of public land during his time in the White House, said: “When humanity started to protect these wild places, we did not realise how important they would become: They’re a haven for endangered species, and a hotbed for scientific research.

“This is a journey through the natural wonders of our shared birthright.”

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The trailer included sweeping images of a variety of wildlife, including tigers, lions and killer whales.

Alongside his wife Michelle, Obama has embarked on a varied post-presidential career in the media, capitalising on their popularity to strike lucrative deals.

During his presidency Obama was a passionate supporter of national parks, such as Yellowstone which he visited with Michelle in 2009
During his presidency Obama was a passionate supporter of national parks, such as Yellowstone which he visited with Michelle in 2009
MANDEL NGAN/GETTY IMAGES

Their Higher Ground production company signed a multiyear, multimillion dollar, deal with Netflix in 2018.

American Factory, released by the Obamas in 2019, won the best documentary Oscar while the following year they were nominated in the same category for Crip Camp.

In 2019 the Obamas agreed a deal with Spotify to produce a series of podcasts, including The Michelle Obama Podcast, which included interviews with celebrities such as Conan O’Brien, the comedian.

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Obama hosted the Renegades: Born in the USA podcast alongside Bruce Springsteen. There were reports the deal with Spotify may not be renewed amid controversy over the platform’s hosting of Joe Rogan’s podcast.

Rogan, who has an exclusive deal with Spotify worth about $100 million, has been accused of spreading disinformation about Covid-19.

In 2017 the Obamas signed a joint book deal for their respective memoirs with Penguin Random House. It was said to be worth $65 million, a record for non-fiction works.

Our Great National Parks premieres April 13 on Netflix.