Pole to Pole: 100 days, seven continents, the journey of a lifetime. Join Will Smith as he travels pole to pole with scientists conducting groundbreaking research at the edges of the world.
In 2023 I was invited by producer Nutopia TV to film Arctic microscopic plankton for the National Geographic and Disney+ series Pole to Pole. I joined presenter Will Smith, renowned scientist Dr Allison Fong, assistant Oliver Müller and the production team on Ponant’s one-of-a-kind luxury cruise icebreaker on a remarkable journey from Svalbard to the geographical North Pole.
My purpose was to film Arctic plankton for the final episode The North Pole of the series. After months of preparations, coordinated by Nutopia’s Marissa Chazan, it was so amazing to finally sail out to work on the luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot. The ship was fully equipped with 2 labs onboard, with wonderful assistance by Ponant’s Science Officer Daniel Cron. Evident provided 2 fantastic Olympus microscopes for filming on the ship.
It was not easy to avoid the vibrations of the ships, caused by the breaking of the ice, despite the anti-vibration table installed. But with help of Allison and Oliver, I was able to take plankton samples on the North Pole! The plankton was really different from the species I normally find the Netherlands: pteropods, huge copepods with red antennae, etc.
Working with the amazing production team, doing the thing I love most – filming, photographing, working with plankton – and also working with scientists and getting all the help needed; this epic Arctic journey was a dream come true!
Huge thanks to: Nutopia, National Geographic, Ponant, Will Smith, Allison Fong, Oliver Müller, Marissa Chazan, Daniel Cron and all other production and film crew members.
Pole to Pole with Will Smith premieres January 17 2026 on @NatGeoTV.
Streaming on DisneyPlus and hulu
Trailer Pole to Pole:
https://youtu.be/-JDWGfL7EEY
