NBC Greenlights Emmy-Nominated Event Series ‘The Americas’ for 2nd Season

‘The Americas: A Wild 250th’ special premieres July 2 on NBC and streams next day on Peacock.

The Americas aerial photo of a lake and river

June 30, 2026

Tom Hanks is set to return as narrator for a newly greenlit Season 2 of NBC’s Emmy-nominated nature documentary series The Americas. Set to premiere in 2028, the new season will explore new regions and dig deeper into the wildlife and majestic landscapes the supercontinent has to offer.

This July 2, Hanks will also narrate the first of several special one-episode expansions of the tentpole series: The Americas: A Wild 250th airs Jul. 2 at 9pm ET/PT on NBC and next day on Peacock. NBC will also air The Americas: Mother's Day in 2027.

“We’re thrilled to bring The Americas back into viewers’ homes, taking them on a journey that reveals even more of the extraordinary worlds, iconic landscapes and remarkable wildlife that make North and South America so compelling – all while blending breathtaking scale, discovery, humor, and heart. With Tom Hanks’ distinctive voice behind the awe-inspiring visuals and with our partners at UTAS and BBC Studios Natural History Unit, season two is poised to deliver even further on the series’ commitment to unique storytelling and bold explorations of the natural world.”

– Sharon Vuong, Executive Vice President, Unscripted Programming, NBC

The Americas: Fun Fact Edition, an encore run of the original season newly-enhanced with fun facts and behind-the-scenes insights, is currently airing Thursdays at 9pm ET/PT on NBC.

“The Americas was a bold bet – a cinematic natural history series of this scale hadn’t been seen on broadcast television in years, and thankfully, audiences embraced it in a huge way. The success of season one gives us the opportunity to dream even bigger for season two, expanding the scope, pushing the filmmaking to new heights, and deepening the emotional connection viewers found with the series. We’re proud to continue our partnership with NBC, BBC Studios Natural History Unit, and Tom Hanks as we bring this next chapter to life.”

– Toby Gorman, President, Universal Television Alternative Studio

The Americas season 1 ranked as the No. 1 most-watched new alternative show of the 2024-25 season and reached over 36 million viewers. Season-to-date, the encore run of the first season, The Americas: Fun Fact Edition has reached over 9 million viewers. The series has sold to more than 40 international platforms in nearly 180 territories around the world.

“Working on The Americas was absolutely exhilarating – being able to bring the breath-taking landscapes and unique wildlife of this extraordinary ‘super-continent’ to life was a truly inspiring experience. There are so many more stories to tell and places to explore – we can’t wait to get started on series two. We’re thrilled to continue our exciting partnership with NBC and Universal Television Alternative Studio, and of course having Tom Hanks back on board again is the icing on the cake.”

– Mike Gunton, Creative Director of BBC Studios Natural History Unit and Executive Producer

THE AMERICAS

An Environmental Media Award winner and Emmy & Critics Choice Documentary Award nominee, The Americas uses cutting-edge technology to highlight the wonders, secrets, and fragilities of the world’s greatest supercontinent. Narrated by Tom Hanks and set to a sweeping score by Hans Zimmer, each episode delivers surprising revelations alongside stunning footage across the continent’s most iconic landscapes.

The Americas is executive produced by renowned Emmy® and BAFTA® Award-winning wildlife producer Mike Gunton (Life, Planet Earth II, Dynasties) and Emmy®-nominated Holly Spearing for BBC Studios Natural History Unit, the best-known and most respected producers of natural history content in the world, in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio, a division of Universal Studio Group.

THE AMERICAS: A WILD 250TH

The Americas: A Wild 250th, a new special celebrating the nation’s milestone 250th birthday, showcases iconic American species whose deep connection to the land and the nation’s history have left an indelible mark on the country. From the majestic bald eagle to fearless bison and clever sea lions, each animal reflects a brave American spirit worth honoring.

THE AMERICAS: MOTHER’S DAY

The Americas: Mother’s Day showcases the most resilient moms on Earth as they prove that love and a little ingenuity conquer just about anything. Set against the nation’s sweeping landscapes, the special reveals how animal motherhood is shaped by the environments they inhabit and the legacy of the land itself. Both heartfelt and illuminating, it offers a fresh perspective on familiar stories, reminding us that raising the next generation is the greatest adventure of all.