Big Little Lies Creator David E. Kelley Unveils ‘Live Migrations’
David E. Kelley’s New Adventure: Watching Nature Live with "Live Migrations"
TL;DR: Famous TV producer David E. Kelley is trying something totally new — a live nature show where you watch animals migrate in real time, right on your phone or computer. No scripts, no edits, just nature doing its thing.
Who Is David E. Kelley?
Imagine someone who has created over 40 TV shows — like Ally McBeal, The Practice, Big Little Lies, and Boston Legal. That’s David E. Kelley. He’s one of the most successful showrunners (that’s the boss of a TV show) in history.
But here’s the twist: His newest project isn’t a courtroom drama or a mystery. It’s a nature documentary — and it’s live.
What Is "Live Migrations"?
Live Migrations is a brand-new series created by Tucker Malarkey (an author and conservationist) and executive produced by David E. Kelley.
| What makes it special? | Details |
|---|---|
| It’s LIVE | You watch animals migrate as it happens — no waiting for a finished episode |
| Where to watch | On a dedicated website and a YouTube channel |
| First up | The Great Sockeye Migration — sockeye salmon returning to Bristol Bay, Alaska |
| Future stars | Sandhill cranes, whales, wildebeest, monarch butterflies |
Important Point: This isn’t just “nature TV.” It’s “slow TV” — a genre where you watch one thing unfold slowly, in real time, like a 7-hour train ride or cheese aging. It’s calming, immersive, and real.
How Does It Work? (Step by Step)
- Go to the website or YouTube channel — no subscription, no app needed
- Pick a migration — starting with sockeye salmon in Alaska
- Watch live — cameras are placed along the migration route
- Learn as you go — the show adds context: why they migrate, dangers they face, fun facts
- Come back anytime — migrations last weeks; you can tune in daily like a nature webcam
Why Did Kelley Do This?
Kelley has loved nature — especially water and fish — for a long time.
- He founded Riverence, one of the biggest farmed trout companies in the U.S.
- He’s an adviser on PBS’s Hope in the Water — a show about saving oceans and feeding people
- He says: “If people could only sit by a river and feel the salmon… watching a live migration is the next best thing.”
So this isn’t a random pivot — it’s a passion project from someone who truly cares.
What Is "Slow TV"? (And Why Should You Care?)
Slow TV started in Norway (thanks to broadcaster NRK). Think:
- A 7-hour train ride from Oslo to Bergen — no cuts, no music, just the view
- Cheese aging in a cave in England — live for days
- Everyday life — knitting, firewood stacking, bird feeders
Why it works: In a world of TikTok and 15-second clips, slow TV gives your attention back. You breathe. You notice. You connect.
Important Point: Live Migrations isn’t just entertainment — it’s an invitation to pause and remember we share this planet.
What’s Coming Next?
After the salmon, the team plans to stream:
- Monarch butterflies — their 3,000-mile journey
- Whales — ocean giants on the move
- Wildebeest — the thunder of hooves across Africa
- Sandhill cranes — ancient sky dancers
Each will include background info, conservation context, and real-time wonder.
The Big Idea: TV That Returns Your Attention
“What if television… could also return [your attention]?” — Tucker Malarkey
That’s the heart of Live Migrations.
- These animals have been migrating for millions of years
- Their journeys are perilous, ancient, and essential
- By watching together, in real time, we remember:
→ We’re not the owners of these stories
→ We’re temporary stewards
→ And we can choose to protect what remains
Callout: 5 Things You Should Know
- It’s FREE — watch on the web or YouTube
- It’s LIVE — no editing, no spoilers, no cliffhangers
- It’s EDUCATIONAL — learn biology, ecology, conservation while watching
- It’s CALMING — perfect for background, focus, or family time
- It MATTERS — every view supports awareness for endangered migrations
Summary
David E. Kelley — the man behind Big Little Lies and Ally McBeal — has launched Live Migrations, a live-streamed nature series that lets you watch animal migrations in real time. Created with conservationist Tucker Malarkey, the first season follows sockeye salmon in Alaska, with future streams covering whales, butterflies, cranes, and wildebeest.
It’s part of the “slow TV” movement — long, unedited, peaceful broadcasts that help you reconnect with nature. No drama. No ads. Just life, unfolding.
As Malarkey says: “We are not the owners of these stories. We are their temporary stewards.”
Live Migrations invites you to watch, learn, and care — one live moment at a time.
FAQ
Q: Do I need to pay or sign up to watch?
A: Nope! It’s completely free on the Live Migrations website and YouTube channel.
Q: What if I miss the live stream?
A: Since migrations last weeks, you can tune in anytime. Think of it like a nature webcam with expert commentary.
Q: Is this just for kids or nature nerds?
A: Not at all. It’s for anyone who wants to slow down — students, professionals, families, retirees. It’s calming TV with a purpose.
Q: How is this different from Planet Earth or Blue Planet?
A: Those are edited, narrated, polished documentaries. Live Migrations is raw, real-time, and unscripted — you see exactly what the animals see, when they see it.
Q: Can teachers use this in class?
A: Absolutely! It’s a fantastic real-time science tool — biology, geography, climate change, ecology — all happening live.