A Year on Planet Earth

Stephen Fry hosts a documentary that examines how the changing seasons influence wildlife across the year. The film investigates the consequences of Earth’s annual orbit around the Sun, showing how these celestial movements shape animal behaviour and ecosystems in different habitats worldwide.

The programme is a documentary episode titled Winter, presented by Stephen Fry. It forms part of a series that looks at natural phenomena, and it is structured as a single instalment rather than a multi‑part series. Fry takes the role of narrator, guiding the audience through the material with his characteristic clarity. In this instalment the focus is on how the changing seasons influence wildlife. The film follows the rhythm of the year, showing how animals respond as the climate shifts from one season to the next. It also ties these biological responses to the Earth’s regular orbit around the Sun, illustrating the link between the planet’s yearly journey and the patterns seen in nature. The documentary presents the seasonal cycle as a driver of animal behaviour, highlighting the ways in which flora and fauna adapt to the predictable yet varied conditions that each season brings. By tracing the planet’s path around the Sun, the programme demonstrates how the amount of sunlight and temperature fluctuations shape the lives of creatures across the globe. Throughout, Fry’s narration stitches together scientific observation with accessible explanation, ensuring that viewers can see the direct connection between the Earth’s orbital motion and the seasonal changes that dictate wildlife activity. The episode therefore offers a concise look at the interplay between astronomy and ecology, all within the framework of a single seasonal theme.