Escape into the world of octopi in a new series called 'Secrets of the Octopus'

If you’re a fan of the Academy Award winning documentary My Octopus Teacher, then you're in for a real treat.

The National Geographic series, Secrets of the Octopus premieres on National Geographic Wild on DSTV Channel 182 tomorrow to coincide with Earth Day. 

The three-part series explores their one-of-a-kind superpowers, extraordinary intelligence, and secret social lives of octopi. 

The series is narrated by US actor Paul Rudd and was directed by Academy Award winning filmmaker James Cameron. 

Cinematographer Adam Geiger and his team dedicated themselves to the project for two years. 

"Most people have an impression of octupuses being bizarre and odd. My Octopus Teacher made strides in changing people's perceptions of what octopus are. Interest in the natural world has been growing and My Octopus Teacher opened the door for people to start appreciating this animal. Hopefully, Secrets of the Octopus will take this further and people will fall in love with these incredible animals." 
 -Adam Geiger, cinematographer

What are the secrets these elusive creatures possess?

Geiger says while octopuses are remarkable in their physical form, they are also fascinating on a mental level. 

"They are truly extraordinary. For an animal with no bone, shell, teeth or claws, it is a master of its environment. It can do that because of its huge brain. It controls the most flexible limbs on the planet." 
 -Adam Geiger, cinematographer

The team spent about a year underwater with eight key octopus species around the world.

The series explores some of the most stunning locations in the Great Barrier Reef, Indonesia, Brazil, Turks and Caicos and Vancouver. 

"It was so special and unique. Filming the octopus took a different mindset as it took a lot of time and patience. It was surprise after surprise with their behaviour and how they reacted to us. We ended up filming so many things not recorded by scientists. It was a privilege to be allowed into the world of the octopus."
 -Adam Geiger, cinematographer

The series premieres on Monday 22 April on National Geographic TV. 

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