Will Smith to present the new National Geographic event series, One Strange Rock, produced by Darren Aronofsky, starting March 2018.

Actor Will Smith has been announced as the presenter of the new limited event series, One Strange Rock, coming to National Geographic (DStv 181 / StarSat 220) in 2018.

Produced by filmmaker Darren Aronofsky, the 10-episode "global event series" will look at planet Earth and inside it and is being produced by Nutopia and Protozoa Pictures.

One Strange Rock is set to be broadcast globally on National Geographic from March 2018 in 172 countries.

"I am thrilled to have Will Smith on board to guide our series," says Darren Aronofsky.

"His charisma, intelligence and humanity will add greatly to the project, helping welcome viewers into this unique narrative about the mind-blowing wonders that make life on Earth possible."

One Strange Rock is the extraordinary story of Earth and why it is special and uniquely brimming with life among a largely unknown but harsh cosmic arena.

Also appearing will be a group of astronauts including Chris Hadfield, Jeff Hoffman, Mae Jemison, Jerry Linenger, Mike Massimino, Leland Melvin, Nicole Stott, and Peggy Whitson.

They will tell the story of Earth through unique perspectives and relate personal memoirs of Earth as seen from space.

"Their personal experiences are portals to vital themes explored throughout the series, including the genesis of life, death, breath, cosmic violence, human intelligence, sacrifice, terraforming and more," says National Geographic.

"By pairing the incomparable, out-of-this-world, global appeal of Will Smith with our rock-star astronauts, who literally went out of this world, we tell the incredible story of the complexities of our planet," says Tim Pastore, president for original programming and production at National Geographic.

"With the distinctive storytelling from Darren Aronofsky, One Strange Rock will be an incredible visual treat, taking audiences from the microscopic to the cosmic, leaving viewers to see and appreciate our planet as never before."

National Geographic says One Strange Rock will "reimagine factual programming and give viewers a cinematic spectacle like they have never seen before".

"We'll unpack the science behind our marvelous planet and provide stories that are entertaining and provocative".

National Geographic released the first teaser trailer for One Strange Rock on Tuesday:

National Geographic Channel orders its first scripted drama series, Blood Ivory, and two documentary series, One Strange Rock and Original Sin sex doc.

The National Geographic Channel (DStv 181) has ordered the Fox-owned factual entertainment channel's first real scripted drama series Blood Ivory set inside the illegal ivory trade.

National Geographic Channel also commissioned two new documentary series looking at the natural history of the Earth entitled One Strange Rock, as well as human sexuality, entitled Original Sin: How Sex Changed the World.

"National Geographic has strived to bring the horrors of the ivory trade to the forefront of the global conversation in recent years," says Courteney Monroe, National Geographic Global Networks CEO.

"With Blood Ivory, we are hoping to craft a smart, relevant and riveting drama series that will not only be entertaining under the guidance of some of the best storytellers working today, but also drive home the importance of ending a senseless war on the animal kingdom".

Blood Ivory, written by The Americans' Joshua Brand will look at the global network of illegal animals and ivory trade, and its connection to the trafficking of narcotics, people and weapons.

One Strange Rock as a new documentary series of 6 hour-long episodes will film for 100 weeks worldwide, exploring how Earth became what it is today.

"We're going to transport viewers on a mind-bending and thrilling visual adventure that will amaze and surprise," says Courteney Monroe about One Strange Rock.

Original Sin: How Sex Changed the World, produced by World of Wonder Production, will look at the sexual revolution over the past 5 decades in 6 hour-long episodes and how it has impacted pop culture, science, politics and society.

"In the footsteps of our decades-defining series about how pivotal moments, people and innovations shaped the '80s, '90s and 2000s, we now turn our attention to a subject that was once taboo, but that impacts everything around us,” says Tim Pastore, president of original programming and production for National Geographic Channel.

"This series will explore the myriad ways sex has evolved in public, from ancient art to being front and centre in best-selling novels, technology and politics".

Star Talk has been renewed for a third season.