07/12/2009
The information contained herein is strictly embargoed from all press use, non commercial publication, or syndication until 00.01 Tuesday 29 December 2009
Love is in the air at Leopard’s Den as Stephen Tompkinson, Dawn Steele, Hayley Mills and Cal Macaninch return for the fifth series of WILD AT HEART.
The popular ITV series, which launched in January 2006, and averaged nearly eight million viewers during series four last year (2009) returns for 10 new episodes of family life in the wilds of Africa.
Back among the lions, giraffes and elephants, love is continuing to blossom for Danny Trevanion (Tompkinson) and fellow vet Alice Collins (Steele – Sea of Souls, Monarch of the Glen) but will Danny have the courage to commit to her? Throughout the series the pair will face many challenges, not least the pressure of working together, and Alice must make some difficult decisions about her future at Leopard’s Den.
After a turbulent courtship, everyone’s favourite gruff Afrikaner, Anders Du Plessis (Deon Stewardson), is set to marry his beloved Caroline (Hayley Mills). Wedding plans are finalised but could someone from Caroline’s past threaten their happiness?
Alice’s estranged brother Rowan (Cal Macaninch – Holby Blue, Sorted), has installed himself at Mara making the rivalry between the two reserves more intense than ever. Alice is desperate to repair the relationship with her brother, but how far can Rowan be trusted?
With ferocious hyenas, orphaned leopard cubs and a homeless aardwolf all providing unique challenges for the Leopard’s Den family, this series of WILD AT HEART promises to be the most exciting yet.
Producer Nick Goding says: “Series 5 is even more ambitious than ever, with a wider variety of animals and new adventures for our Trevanion family to explore. Our loyal audience can again look forward to feeling warmer and brighter on Sunday evenings in the New Year with a family drama which brings them to an exciting and dramatic continent.”
Executive producer Charles Pattinson adds: “This year I am pleased that Wild at Heart has put something back into the community. Cementing our good relationship with the local community we have built an after school facility for the children of the nearby township of Brazzaville. Now the young people have a safe place to study and play out of school hours while waiting for their parents to finish work.”
WILD AT HEART is produced by Nick Goding and the series producer is Serena Bowman. The creator is Ashley Pharoah. The executive producers are Charles Pattinson, George Faber and Ashley Pharoah. Stephen Tompkinson is co-executive producer. It is a Company Pictures production for ITV.
