Fans of All Creatures Great and Small looking for a comfort watch can find it on Netflix in the form of Channel 4's The Secret Life of the Zoo. The series follows the keepers and animals at Chester Zoo, the largest in the UK, and gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into making sure the animals are happy and cared for, including their health.
A heartwarming look at Chester Zoo
The show features animals, births and deaths, with audiences getting an insight into their personalities. It offers a new perspective of zoos, showing them in a way they have never been seen before. The programme first hit screens in 2016 and ran for 10 seasons until 2021. Each episode shares glimpses at the 21,000 animals living at Chester Zoo and interviews the zoo keepers who care for them.
Cameras have been placed inside the enclosures to help tell the animals' stories, without cages or bars in shot. Oscar winner and Broadchurch star Olivia Colman initially narrated the series, before Green Wing and Friday Night Dinner actress Tamsin Greig later took over.
Rave reviews and high ratings
The series has received rave reviews on IMDb and holds a strong 8.6/10 rating on the platform. One person gave it a 10/10 critique, writing: “The Secret Life of the Zoo is an exceptionally well done documentary. I hope it comes back for a second season.”
A second 10/10 review described it as a “really good show” and wrote: “The zookeepers and animals have interesting personalities. I hope they keep making this show.” A third top-rated review hailed the programme as “delightful and educational”.
Viewer praise and streaming details
One audience member wrote: “This show gives me something to look forward to. The keepers are really compassionate about the animals in their care and you can really see that Chester Zoo is a top-notch facility, even if you've never been anywhere near it.” They concluded: “I hope this show keeps going for years because I'm sure there's no end to what it can teach people about conservation, care, and respect for the animals we share our world with and just how precious they are. We really cannot afford to lose them.”
The Secret Life of the Zoo is streaming on Netflix now.
