National Geographic is kicking off the new year with a seven-part expedition that highlights human endurance, scientific discovery, and emotional storytelling. “Pole to Pole with Will Smith” premieres Jan. 13 on National Geographic and streams the next day on Disney+ globally and on Hulu in the U.S. The series has been five years in the making. It follows Will Smith across all seven continents on a focused 100-day journey from the South Pole to the North Pole.
A Journey Fueled by Curiosity and Courage
Will sets aside the comforts of home to explore some of Earth’s most dangerous and awe-inspiring environments. He travels through Antarctica’s ice fields, the Amazon’s dense jungles, the Himalayan mountains, Africa’s harsh deserts, the islands of the Pacific, and the frozen Arctic. Each location challenges him in new ways.
As the journey unfolds, he faces trials that push his body and mind to the limit. He skis toward the South Pole, extracts venom from a giant tarantula, climbs icy cliffs, dives under polar ice, and tracks a 17-foot anaconda. Because each challenge is extreme, Will relies on scientists, explorers, and Indigenous communities for guidance and insight into these environments.
Episode Guide
The South Pole – Premieres Jan. 13 at 9/8c
Will begins at the bottom of the world, battling brutal temperatures and scaling a massive ice cliff with help from elite polar athlete Richard Parks. Inside a remote research station, he witnesses the sacrifices scientists make to unlock climate secrets buried deep in the ice.
The Amazon: Deadly Creatures – Jan. 13 at 10/9c
A lifelong fear of spiders takes center stage as Will ventures into a cavern known as the “womb of the Earth.” Joined by experts Bryan Fry and Carla Perez, he comes face-to-face with a giant tarantula—and helps extract venom that could one day save lives.
The Amazon: Dark Waters – Streaming Jan. 14
Will teams up with Waorani elder Penti Baihua in search of the legendary giant green anaconda. A single scale from the 17-foot snake unlocks critical information about the health of the ecosystem.
The Himalayas – Streaming Jan. 14
In Bhutan, Will climbs to remote villages in pursuit of the secret to happiness. With guidance from professor Dacher Keltner and writer Tshering Denkar, he faces emotional reflections at 13,000 feet.
The Pacific Islands – Streaming Jan. 14
On a remote Pacific island threatened by rising seas, Will joins linguist Dr. Mary Walworth and ecologist John Aini to document a nearly lost language spoken by just five people.
The Kalahari Desert – Streaming Jan. 14
Will journeys with the San people, one of Earth’s oldest hunter-gatherer societies. Led by guide Kane Motswana, he joins a traditional hunt and quickly realizes how out of his depth he is.
The North Pole – Feb. 3 at 9/8c
The final chapter brings Will to the Arctic, where he dives beneath the polar ice to assist polar ecologist Allison Fong. When a storm and mechanical failure jeopardize the mission, Will learns what it truly means to be a hero.
A Landmark Collaboration
“Pole to Pole with Will Smith” is produced by Westbrook Studios, Nutopia, and Protozoa. It follows Will’s earlier National Geographic projects: “One Strange Rock” and “Welcome to Earth.” Executive producers include Will Smith, Terence Carter, Miguel Melendez, Jane Root, Darren Aronofsky, and others.
The series combines exploration, science, and personal storytelling. It offers viewers a clearer understanding of Earth’s most extreme environments and the cultures connected to them. Because of this, it stands as one of National Geographic’s most ambitious projects to date.
