BLOOMBERG ORIGINALS · TWO SERIES
An Optimist’s Guide to the Planet
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau travels the world meeting people turning environmental problems into practical solutions, and finding reasons to be optimistic about what comes next.
THE SERIES
Reasons to look forward.
Across two series, An Optimist’s Guide to the Planet follows Nikolaj Coster-Waldau from communities facing climate change first-hand to scientists, engineers, activists and innovators building practical responses. The series is produced in association with Ill Kippers Productions for Bloomberg Originals.
SERIES ONE
A journey through possible futures.
From East Africa to Greenland, India and Europe, the first series looks for ideas that are already changing how people live, work, eat, move and protect the natural world.
SERIES TWO
The journey continues.
Series two pushes the search further, crossing more countries and communities to find people working on tangible solutions, often in places that demand a little adventure just to reach them.
2025 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS
Rob Stewart Award
Winner of the Rob Stewart Award for Best Science or Nature Documentary Program or Series.
View the Canadian Screen Awards page ↗AROUND THE WORLD
Behind and beyond the scenes.
A few moments from two series on the road.
Selected production photography: Chris Goll.
THE TEAM
Made on the road.
Two series, many countries, one travelling crew. The people behind the camera are as central to the journey as the places in front of it.
Nikolaj Coster-WaldauPresenter / Executive Producer
Mark StevensonDirector
Joe DerrickWriter / Executive Producer
Stephanie WeimarSenior Story Producer
John TranCinematographer
Scott Burton & Chris GollCamera
Annie NeedhamSound
Steve BakkenIll Kippers Executive
THE BOOK
How the award-winning series An Optimist’s Guide to the Planet was made.
The television journey continues on the page, with stories, ideas and solutions gathered from the award-winning series.
Pre-order on Amazon ↗WATCH