Cosmos: Possible Worlds begins on Fox Sept. 22. It starts with a two-hour premiere and there are 13 episodes. “These adventures will carry us all the way to the thrilling future we can still have if we awaken now,” said Ann Druyan, creator and executive producer. 

Neil deGrasse Tyson hosts. 

Possible Worlds aired on National Geographic starting in March. 

Related: Thriller ‘Next’ Premieres on Fox Oct. 6

Druyan and Carl Sagan partnered on the first Cosmos, A Personal Voyage, 40 years ago. Possible Worlds is the third season of Cosmos. In March, Druyan called it “our boldest yet.”

Seth MacFarlane, Brannon Braga and Jason Clark executive produce alongside Druyan. 

“Inventing and applying lavish cinematic VFX to the infinite splendor of nature, Cosmos: Possible Worlds will transport you to the stars and through that hole in the curtain hiding another reality,” said Druyan. 

At National Geographic, now in The Walt Disney Co. fold, Geoff Daniels oversees specials, tentpole events and franchise series. A reality programming veteran, Daniels joined Nat Geo in 1998 and prior to that worked at Time-Life Video & Television, making his mark by acquiring and marketing iconic series like Sir David Attenborough’s Trials of Life and Ken Burns’s The Civil War. His latest passion — Cosmos: Possible Worlds — begins its third season on Monday, March 9. Daniels took some time out to speak with Multichannel News senior content producer, finance Mike Farrell about that series and other developments at the channel. An edited transcript follows.

What excites you most about the new season of Cosmos: Possible Worlds? What’s most exciting is the mind-blowing visual storytelling. CGI has come so far since the last time Cosmos aired, which will make this season a truly must-see cinematic experience with even broader appeal. It’s not just a chance for our audiences around the world to learn about the secrets of the universe and explore new and previously unimaginable worlds, but also to do that in a way that is more visceral and entertaining.

Although it’s an update of the landmark PBS series created by Carl Sagan, his presence is still strongly felt throughout the series. How important was that to you and producer Seth MacFarlane? We all stand on the shoulders of giants in any endeavor that has this level of creative ambition and innovation, so it was critically important to all, with [producer] Ann Druyan as our North Star, to reach for something not only worthy of his legacy but that also broke new ground and pushed the boundaries of what we thought could be possible in a series like this.

What’s it like working with such a diverse group — MacFarlane (mainly known for comedy), Ann Druyan (Sagan’s widow) and Neil deGrasse Tyson (perhaps the world’s best-known astrophysicist)? The common denominator was each individual’s incredible passion for the stories, the science and the positive impact we all want this series to have on the world at this critical moment in our planet’s history. Everyone really brought the best of themselves and the expertise they had to offer in a truly collaborative effort, because ultimately our shared purpose is to build connection and community, and inspire hope.

Given how science is increasingly being dismissed by our leaders, how important is programming like Cosmos? For National Geographic, we are always going to be on the side of science and the planet with a firm belief in the power of storytelling to change the world for the better. It is impossible to deny the changes we are all experiencing, so programming like Cosmos, which is grounded in real science, that explores the wonders of the universe and our place in it couldn’t be a more timely and needed wake-up call that will not only entertain but hopefully inspire a massive global audience to join us in doing whatever is needed to ensure a future for all of us right here on Earth.

Nat Geo has come up with a lot of programming over the past few years — Brain Games, The Hot Zone, Genius and others — that is definitely a departure from mainstream documentaries. We embarked on a journey a couple years ago to move National Geographic from reverence to relevance with culturally impactful programming that could break through the clutter. Just look at the shows you’ve mentioned, in addition to winning the Oscar for Free Solo, the Oscar nomination for The Cave, and the success of One Strange Rock with Will Smith. All have been among the most viewed, highest rated and most critically acclaimed in our history because they stand out from the crowd.

BONUS FIVE

What's on your DVR?Mr. Robot, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Better Call Saul, Doctor Who

All-time favorite TV Show?Breaking Bad but Gilligan’s Island (the original Lost) is a close second.

Books on your nightstand? Right now, I’m finishing up Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy. (SO prescient!)

Memorable recent meal? Christmas dinner at home with our three grown-ish children.

Favorite app? Disney+, of course… but Uber Eats and Dark Skies are neck and neck.

National Geographic will team with famed director Ridley Scott on a new scripted series, part of several new scripted and documentary series announced Wednesday as part of the network's “further front” presentation in New York. 

New scripted series include The Hot Zone, based on the international bestseller by Richard Preston and executive produced by Ridley Scott, which  recounts the true story of the Ebola virus, said network officials.

The Hot Zone joins the previously announced, Silicon Valley-themed series Valley of the Boom as new shows on the network’s scripted series lineup, which also includes returning series Genius -- which Wednesday was renewed for a third season that will focus on Frankenstein author Mary Shelly -- and Mars, which will return for its sophomore campaign later this year.

Other scripted series in development include Hidden Figures, an anthology series inspired by the Oscar-nominated movie that profiles people whose contributions to science, technology and innovation have been overlooked by history; The White House Detail, an inside look at the personal and professional lives of U.S.Secret Service agents; and Ten Borders, a six-part limited series centered on five unrelated individuals who are inexorably pulled into one another’s lives through the mass exodus of humanity from war torn Syria to the safe refuge of Sweden. 

Among the network’s new documentary series are Hostile Planet, a six-part series that focuses on the world’s most extreme environments to reveal the animal kingdom’s most epic stories of survival, and In Their Words, which chronicles high-profile events through vintage audio and film recordings. Among the topics explored in the series include the Deepwater Horizon disaster, the narco drug wars and the 2008 global financial crisis.

Another show, Chain Of Command: Secret Service, chronicles the exploits of the agency that protects the president of the United States, said Nat Geo.

National Geographic will also develop several live projects, including Brain Games Live, based on the Emmy-nominated show; and Yellowstone Live, a four-day event that showcased the best of the National Park’s wildlife in real time,

Other specials include Mission to the Sun and Apollo 50 Anniversary, said the network.

The new shows and specials will join returning series Cosmos: Possible Worlds; The Story Of God With Morgan Freeman; Explorer: Life Below Zero; StarTalk; Wicked Tuna and Wicked Tuna Outer Banks.

“National Geographic has become the destination for the best-in-class creatives, who want to partner with us on big, bold premium and entertaining content,” said Courteney Monroe, CEO, National Geographic Global Networks in a statement. “Our upfront slate is evidence that our transformation is truly taking hold and reaffirms our commitment to amplify important topics that matter, to create dialogue and to use the power of storytelling to change the world.” 

Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time, Fox’s Cosmos and two HBO original films were among the Peabody Award winners announced Thursday (April 23) in the categories of children’s programming, documentary, education and public service.

In the children's category, Disney Junior’s educational Doc McStuffins joined Adventure Time as an honoree.

HBO's Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown and The Newburgh Sting were honored alongside Neil deGrasse Tyson'sCosmos reboot in the documentary category.

The 74th annual Peabody Awards presentation is May 31; Fred Armisen (Portlandia, Saturday Night Live) will host.

Read more at broadcastingcable.com.