National Geographic will shine a light on the animal world's survival tactics within the world's most extreme environments in a new, six-part nature series Hostile Planet, debuting April 1.

Using innovative camera technology, the series -- hosted by Bear Grylls (The Island) and produced by cinematographer/director Guillermo Navarro -- will showcase the often brutal conditions endured by animals on the planet, according to the network. 

National Geographic executive vice president of global unscripted entertainment Geoff Daniels outlines how the network worked to push boundaries on the natural history documentary genre with Hostile Planet. Here’s what Daniels and Nat Geo wants you to know about Hostile Planet. 

It’s not your mother’s nature series: Hostile Planet has an attitude; this isn’t pasteurized natural history filmmaking. This really has an extraordinary and distinct point of view that is pushing through the storytelling with a cinematic style that is helping us connect more deeply with stories of animals that are triumphing against all odds in some of the most extreme places at a time when the forces of nature are getting more volatile. The ability to walk a razor’s edge in the filmmaking, the storytelling, the dramatic stakes and the kind of lean-forward experience that typifies Hostile Planet is really going to set this apart from anything else out there.

It shines a light on the changing climates around the world: We are frankly looking at a world where, regardless of what you may think, the climate is changing. The forces of nature are getting more volatile -- you’re seeing a level of [climate] unpredictability that’s a challenge for all of us. The underlying narrative and motivation for this particular series has never been more relevant, more timely, and more important in terms of exposing to our audience the real plight of animals in some of the toughest climates in the world right now. We want to be able to do that in a way that isn’t about shaming or politicizing, but rather giving empathy and appreciation for just how hard these animals have it in the hardest places on their toughest day, and yet watching their resilience and ability to triumph. It gets people to better understand and appreciate the natural world, and then engage with us across all of [Nat Geo’s] platforms to do something about making these animal’s lives better, as well as making a more sustainable future for all of us.

It's more visually compelling and graphic than most natural history content: We now have the technologies that are enabling us to go into places and tell stories about animals that are so much more impactful in terms of bringing the animal’s perspective and point of view into the story equation in ways we haven’t been able to do before. We’re certainly programming it mindfully, and we’re being very truthful in how we’re presenting it and when we’re airing it in terms of the evening. We’re not making any of this stuff up … our family audiences are going to come to a new, more hopeful and inspired appreciation for what these animals go through. We’re never gratuitous or exploitative, but we’re really giving our audience an authentic experience of what these animals go through on a day to day basis. 

Discovery Communications said it has promoted Helen Hawken to Vice President of Production and Development, Factual for Discovery Networks International.  She had previously held the role of Director of Programming, Factual, for Discovery Networks International and will move into her new role immediately, reporting to DNI’s EVP and chief creative officer Phil Craig.

In her new, expanded role, Hawken will develop and commission both natural history and factual productions for Discovery Networks International’s London production hub to be broadcast in over 200 countries including the UK.

“Helen has made a terrific impression on me in the short time we have worked together and has been a powerful force in factual programming for many years,” Craig said in a statement. “She has some fantastic ideas for the new style of natural history we are developing here, and for many other genres.  I look forward to moving hit shows forward into production with her in the years to come.” 

During her tenure at Discovery Networks International, Hawken has commissioned some of its most successful animal programming including: Meet the Sloths; Meet the Orangutans; The Ape Who Went to College; Robson Green’s Ultimate Catch and Seven Deadly Sins with Richard E. Grant.  

“I am delighted to be working with Phil to help realize his vision for the international network portfolio at this exciting time," Hawken said in a statement. “I can't wait to start developing and commissioning bold ambitious new ideas and building on the success of our returning series. I look forward to collaborating with producers in the UK and internationally, as well as colleagues in the U.S. networks and local and regional markets."

Hawken has also served as executive producer on many hit shows in the factual and specialist factual genres including: Man V Expert; Marooned with Ed Stafford; Naked and Marooned; You Have Been Warned; What Happened Next? and Combat Dealers.

Prior to joining Discovery Networks International in 2012, Hawken worked for a wide range of independent producers across a number of genres, including: science; history; reality; factual entertainment; features and documentary series for both UK and international broadcasters, including: the BBC; Channel 4; Discovery; Science; PBS and Good Food Channel.