BBC's "Evolution" with Chris Packham streams free on BBC iPlayer and PBS from July 13

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Watch Evolution for free on BBC iPlayer (UK) / PBS (US)

Use NordVPN to watch your free streams when abroad

All five episodes arrive in the UK on July 13, 2026 at 9pm BST

Evolution is BBC’s new natural history and science documentary series presented by English naturalist and television presenter Chris Packham. Unlike the broadcaster’s previous landmark series, such as Planet Earth and Life on Earth , Evolution is explicitly about the science behind biodiversity.

In this five-part series, Packham sets out to unlock the secrets behind evolution by studying one animal at a time, asking a common question: how did each species evolve over Earth’s four-billion-year history?

From the elephant and birds to dolphins, horses, and other remarkable species, the series explores the extraordinary evolutionary breakthroughs that shaped the natural world and the animals we see today. Even better, Packham adopts a deeply investigative, hands-on approach to explain complex scientific concepts with his trademark boyish charm and enthusiasm.

Evolutionary biologist Adam Rutherford has called the series a giant leap forward for science television, as it puts the theory of evolution at centre stage – using modern genetic research, palaeontology, and fossil evidence – rather than simply admiring the spectacularity of nature and animals. Oh, but there will still be plenty to admire thanks to BBC’s stunning wildlife cinematography.

Abroad? Here's where to watch Evolution online and on TV from anywhere in the world, potentially for free.

How to watch Evolution for free in the UK

In the UK, Evolution will be available to stream FREE on BBC iPlayer in the UK – with a valid TV licence.

Even better, all five episodes will arrive at once, allowing you to binge-watch the entire series.

Traditional TV viewers can watch it on BBC Two, while cord-cutters can stream every episode on demand via BBC iPlayer.

To watch BBC iPlayer: Visit the BBC iPlayer website or download the apps ( iOS / Android ).

BBC iPlayer is FREE , but you will need to create an account , have a valid U.K. postcode (e.g. SE1 7PB) and a TV licence.

Outside the UK? If you're currently traveling outside the UK, you can use this VPN (try risk-free) to watch UK TV from abroad . We recommend NordVPN . View Deal

How to watch Evolution from anywhere

If you're keen to watch Evolution but you're away from the UK and access to the show is geo-blocked, then you could use a VPN to access it (assuming you're not breaching any broadcaster T&Cs, of course). You may be surprised by how simple it is to do. Plus, we have a great 75% discount on our #1 VPN...

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How to watch BBC iPlayer with a VPN

Using a VPN to unblock Evolution is very straightforward. Just follow these steps:

1. Download and install a VPN: As we say, our top choice is NordVPN .

2. Connect to the appropriate server location: Open the VPN app, hit 'choose location' and select your home geographical location (anywhere in the UK).

3. Binge all episodes: In this case, just head to BBC iPlayer .

What devices can I watch BBC iPlayer on?

Amazon Fire (Tablets, Cube, Stick, TVs)

Android TV (please note: some models aren’t supported)

Android (Mobile & Tablet) - Android 7.0 and above

Apple TV (tvOS 14 or later)

Google TV (Chromecast with Google TV and NVIDIA Shield)

Freely

Freesat (please note: some models aren’t supported)

Freeview Play (TVs and set-top boxes) (some models aren’t supported)

iOS (iPhone & iPad) - iOS 14 and above

LG Smart TVs (2016-2024)

NOW Smart Sticks and Boxes (minimum firmware v11.5.0)

PlayStation (PS4 and PS5)

Roku (Stick & Roku-OS powered TVs, minimum firmware v11.5.0)

Samsung Smart TVs (2017 and above)

Sky Q, Sky Glass and Sky Stream puck

Virgin Media (360, Stream, TiVo)

YouView (BT, Humax, Sony, TalkTalk)

Xbox (One, Series X, Series S)

Evolution: FAQs

Can I watch Evolution online in the US, Canada, Australia, and worldwide?

At the time of writing, BBC's Evolution is slated to be available in the US on PBS (website and app) from October 14.

The show will also be available in several Asian countries, including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand.

As for other countries, we'll update this article if another streaming service picks it up.

If you're from any of these countries but currently abroad, you can use this VPN to watch your usual streaming services from anywhere in the world.

Note: Not all VPNs work for this, but NordVPN does. It's also great for privacy and comes with a 30-day risk-free trial .

Evolution official trailer

Evolution episode guide

Episode 1 , The Elephant – In Kenya, Chris embarks on a journey through time to uncover how a creature as vast, complex and charismatic as the elephant came to be. It's a story of innovations, lucky breaks and unlikely partnerships.

Episode 2 , The Ostrich – In South Africa, Chris finds out how reproduction has shaped life on Earth and the surprising evolutionary origins of sex, eggs and birds. This is a journey of innovation, adaptation and astonishing creativity.

Episode 3 , The Bat – In Borneo, Chris sets out to answer a deceptively simple question: how the drive to find food shaped life on Earth, and gave rise to one of nature’s most insatiable feeders. This feeding frenzy has origins from half a billion years ago.

Episode 4 , The Dolphin – In the Bahamas, Chris dives into one of the biggest questions in nature - how intelligence itself evolved, and how it arose in the dolphin's mind. Inside each is the result of a three-billion-year journey.

Episode 5 , The Horse – In the salt marshes of the Camargue, Chris explores the evolutionary beginnings of animal movement and how it reached its peak in one of the most elegant and athletic animals on Earth: the horse.

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