Spy in the Ocean

Editorial

Simulcast of network BBC One in high definition. From 03/11/2010

BBC One HD

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Go deep beneath the waves – on a spy mission to the depths of the ocean. 

Go deep beneath the waves – on a spy mission to the depths of the ocean. Amazing hidden cameras give incredible perspectives on the ingenious creatures that call it home.

Series 1

BBC Two

BBC One Nightlight

BBC One region covering Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

BBC One East Midlands HD

The BBC East region started on 1st May 1959 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One East.

BBC One East HD

The BBC North East & Cumbria region started in 1959 (tbc) as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One North East & Cumbria.

BBC One North East & Cumbria

BBC One West Midlands

BBC One Channel Islands HD

The BBC South region started on 5th January 1961 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One South.

BBC One South HD

The BBC South West region started on 20th April 1961 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One South West.

BBC One South West HD

BBC One East Midlands

BBC One East

BBC One Oxfordshire HD

BBC One North East & Cumbria HD

The BBC West region started on 1st September 1957 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One West.

BBC One West HD

BBC One London

London

BBC One Oxfordshire

BBC One Yorkshire HD

BBC One Cambridgeshire

BBC One West

BBC One South West

BBC One Yorks & Lincs HD

BBC One West Midlands HD

Formerly part of a wider BBC One South East region. Separated as BBC One London 2001-09-03 following reorganisation of the South East region.

BBC One London HD

BBC One Yorks & Lincs

BBC One Yorkshire

BBC One South

Formerly part of a wider BBC One South East region that included London and part of the South region. Separated from BBC One London 2001-09-03 following reorganisation of the South East region.

BBC One South East HD

BBC One Cambridgeshire HD

BBC One Channel Islands

BBC One South East

BBC One North West HD

BBC One North West

BBC One Scotland

Scotland

Simulcast of BBC One Northern Ireland in high definition. From 24/10/2012

BBC One Northern Ireland HD

Simulcast of BBC One Wales in high definition. From 29/01/2013

BBC One Wales HD

Simulcast of BBC One Scotland in high definition. From 14/01/2013

BBC One Scotland HD

BBC One Wales

Wales

BBC Northern Ireland region started on 19th April 1955 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One Northern Ireland.

BBC One Northern Ireland

BBC Two England

England

Simulcast of network BBC Two in high definition.

BBC Two HD

BBC Two Northern Ireland

Until 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales (analogue) was known simply as BBC Two Wales. BBC Two Wales (digital) was BBC 2W. From 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales schedules on both analogue and digital became identical

BBC Two Wales

Simulcast of BBC Two Northern Ireland in high definition

BBC Two Northern Ireland HD

Simulcast of BBC Two Wales in high definition

BBC Two Wales HD

David Tennant

Sophie Alard

Sian Gimson

Robin Lewis

Huw Williams

Matthew Gordon

Philip Dalton

John Downer

Spy in the Ocean: Series 1: Deep Trouble

Deep Trouble

BBC One - Spy in the Ocean, Series 1, Deep Trouble

Spy creatures discover how animals survive when faced with the challenges of the ocean.

Spy creatures show the challenges of the ocean. From a baby whale in danger and marine iguanas battling storms, to a mantis shrimp’s knockout punch, the spies are never far from trouble.

Our spy creatures explore the challenges ocean life must overcome to survive. Spy Whale is joined by Spy Dolphin as they encounter a humpback whale calf in danger of drowning when competing males pursue its mother. After a remarkable effort from the calf’s parent, she not only manages to protect her baby from danger, they also gain a bodyguard!

On the island of South Georgia, a version of the first spy camera ever made makes a triumphant return. This new Bouldercam dodges eight tonnes of colliding blubber as male elephant seals fight off rivals. In the chaos, an elephant seal pup is separated from his mother, and his survival depends on finding her. Bouldercam is with him all the way as he fights off skuas and other dangers.

Spy Crab meets the infamous peacock mantis shrimp and soon finds itself on the receiving end of the strongest punch in nature, a knockout blow faster than a speeding bullet. 

In the Galapagos, Spy Seal does its best to keep up with a lonesome sea lion as it chases tuna, one of the fastest fish in the ocean. Not only must he catch this enormous fish alone, he must do it while fighting off hungry sharks.

In the hidden depths off the Californian coast, there are fish that have to be seen to be believed. Alien-like sarcastic fringehead use their outsized gaping mouths to ward off rivals. Spy Fringehead is soon caught in the brawl, but its open mouth reveals a camera, one that captures a fish-eye’s view of the threat it faces.

Off the coast of British Columbia, huge herring shoals face even greater trouble as they head to their spawning grounds. Spy Herring eavesdrops on the strange sounds produced by flatulent herring as they guide others to the spot. Our spy slips into the shoal as they attempt to dodge marauding sea lions and the diving scoter ducks that are after their eggs.

Life on the beach isn’t always the paradise it’s cracked up to be either. When hermit crabs gather to swap their shells, things can go very wrong, very quickly. When a crab loses its shell, it has to think on its feet. It comes up with an inventive solution – the lid of some suntan lotion provides a temporary refuge from predatory birds.

Our spies are not immune to trouble themselves. When Spy Pelican films the spectacular spawning of grunion fish as thousands emerge from the sea to spawn on the beach, it takes a catastrophic plunge into the surf, leaving Spy Crab to take over its filming duties. Spy Iguana is also in trouble when it tries to film iguanas gallantly battling the stormy sea. Despite its best efforts, it is soon washed away. When the same happens to Spy Octopus, all is not lost. It’s rescued from the storm surges by its old friend, the coconut octopus.

On their many adventures across the series, our spy creatures have travelled the globe to reveal the extraordinary intelligence, surprising emotions and complex social lives possessed by ocean life. On the way, they shed light on the mysteries of the deep as never before.

Spy in the Ocean: Series 1

BBC One

Go deep beneath the waves – on a spy mission to the depths of the ocean.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Spy in the Ocean

Series 1

Deep Trouble

Contributors

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC One HD

About BBC One