David E. Kelley Gets Into Live Streaming — Salmon Included
Developed over time first seen 2 months ago
David E. Kelley, best known for legal dramas such as Ally McBeal and Big Little Lies, has moved into a new genre by executive producing Live Migrations, a real-time nature series created with author and conservationist Tucker Malarkey. Launching on a dedicated website and YouTube channel, the show tracks animal migrations as they happen, placing it firmly within the "slow TV" tradition of unhurried, long-form programming popularised by Norway's NRK, whose past offerings have included a seven-hour train journey and hours of cheese ageing. The project marks a striking departure for one of television's most prolific showrunners, though it draws on his long-standing interest in wildlife and marine conservation.
The opening instalment, The Great Sockeye Migration, follows sockeye salmon on their journey back to Bristol Bay, Alaska, with further editions planned covering sandhill cranes, whales, wildebeest and monarch butterflies, each accompanied by background context on the animals and the threats they face. Kelley already has ties to this world through Riverence, his trout-farming business, and his role as an executive adviser on the PBS series Hope in the Water. Malarkey, whose company Norcross Productions is behind the series, said the aim is for television to "return" attention to viewers rather than simply capture it, framing the project as an effort to foster a deeper connection with the natural world.
- David E. Kelley produces new real-time nature series Live Migrations
- First episode follows sockeye salmon migrating to Bristol Bay, Alaska
- Show fits "slow TV" genre; more animal migrations planned
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Live Migrations is a new nature series from producer David E. Kelley, best known for scripted television such as Ally McBeal and Big Little Lies. Rather than a conventional documentary, it streams animal migrations as they happen, in the style of "slow TV" – a genre of long, unedited real-time broadcasts that began with Norwegian broadcaster NRK. The series launches on its own website and YouTube channel, with the first episode following sockeye salmon on their journey to Bristol Bay in Alaska.
The project is a collaboration between Kelley and creator Tucker Malarkey, whose production company is making the series. It fits with interests Kelley already has outside scripted drama, including a trout-farming business and involvement in a separate PBS series about aquaculture and conservation.
The story matters partly because it shows a well-established television producer moving into a very different, unscripted format, and partly because it reflects wider interest in slower, more contemplative programming as an alternative to fast-paced entertainment. Future episodes are planned to follow other migratory animals, including cranes, whales, wildebeest and monarch butterflies.