Forget everything you know about traditional nature documentaries. National Geographic is shaking up the genre with “Underdogs”, a groundbreaking series that celebrates the weird, wild, and often overlooked creatures of our planet.

Narrated by the hilariously irreverent Ryan Reynolds, this five-part docuseries dives deep into the lives of nature’s most unconventional characters. Instead of focusing on majestic predators, “Underdogs” shines a spotlight on the quirky creatures that keep our ecosystem running – from the fearless honey badger to the bizarre pearl fish that literally hides inside a sea cucumber.

Each episode explores a different theme, transforming scientific storytelling into an entertainment experience. The “Superheroes” episode highlights incredible animal abilities, while “Sexy Beasts” explores the wild world of animal mating rituals. Green Day even contributed a special theme song, elevating the series from standard documentary to pop culture event.

Producers Mark Linfield and Vanessa Berlowitz, veterans of prestigious wildlife documentaries like “Planet Earth”, wanted to break away from traditional formats. “We thought, how can we do something absolutely opposite?” Linfield explained. Their solution was to showcase the weird, crazy creatures that typically get left on the cutting room floor.

Ryan Reynolds was their dream narrator, bringing his signature comedic style to scientific storytelling. His description of the aye-aye as “if fear and panic had a baby and rolled it in dog hair” perfectly captures the series’ tone – educational yet wildly entertaining.

Filmed in locations ranging from New Zealand caves to dangerous cliffside nests, the series promises heart-pounding moments and laugh-out-loud commentary. With its PG-13 rating and Reynolds’ comedic narration, “Underdogs” aims to attract viewers who might typically skip nature documentaries.

“Underdogs” premieres June 15, 2025, on National Geographic and will be available on Disney+ and Hulu. It might just change how you view the natural world – one weird creature at a time.