If you are looking for intelligent, engaging television this summer, 2026 has already delivered a remarkable crop of science documentaries. From the ethical complexities of trophy hunting to the inner workings of artificial intelligence, these five programmes have stood out for their storytelling, depth and relevance.
Channel 4's Cecil: The lion and the dentist revisits the 2015 killing of Cecil, Africa's most famous lion, by an American amateur hunter. Rather than simply recounting the global outrage, the film uses the case as a lens to examine broader tensions between humans and charismatic megafauna. It asks difficult questions about conservation, ownership and the tangled relationship people have with wild animals.
On BBC iPlayer, mathematician and broadcaster Hannah Fry presents AI Confidential, a three-part series that demystifies artificial intelligence for a general audience. Through clear metaphors and real-world examples—from chatbots to autonomous vehicles—Fry navigates the ethical and practical dilemmas posed by AI. Her warmth and non-judgmental approach make complex topics accessible without oversimplifying them.
Space enthusiasts have been treated to Artemis: To the moon and back, also on BBC iPlayer. The film follows this year's Artemis II mission, which saw four astronauts complete a lunar flyby—the first time humans had travelled that far from Earth in over 50 years. Built from three and a half years of behind-the-scenes footage, it celebrates the engineers, designers and ground crew who made the journey possible.
To mark Sir David Attenborough's centenary, Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's greatest adventure offers a fascinating look at the making of the 1979 series Life on Earth. That programme set the template for modern nature documentaries and shaped how millions view the natural world. The retrospective is packed with production anecdotes, including a close call with armed guards in Rwanda and Attenborough's allergy to donkey fur discovered while filming in the Grand Canyon.
Finally, Fukushima: A nuclear nightmare (available to rent) examines the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that led to a nuclear crisis in Japan. Using eyewitness accounts and harrowing footage, the documentary details what went wrong and highlights the heroism of the Fukushima 50—workers who stayed behind to prevent a full meltdown. Their actions have been credited with limiting the disaster's toll to a single direct fatality from radiation.