Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Hans Zimmer Scores Lion Series Chronicling Cub's Journey To King
Lion is a wildlife series about a young lion named Kio.
It shows how he grows from a vulnerable cub into a strong leader.
Filmmakers followed Kio and his pride for four years.
They filmed the lions in Kenya’s Maasai Mara.
The team spent nearly 1,400 days filming across 52 shoots.
Hans Zimmer created the background music for the series.
The story explores family, courage, hope and survival.
Lion will be available on National Geographic Channel and JioHotstar from August 27.
Hans Zimmer composed the background music for the National Geographic series Lion.
The series follows Kio, a lion cub, across four years as he grows into a pride leader.
Filming took place entirely in Kenya’s Maasai Mara over nearly 1,400 filming days and 52 shoots.
Lion is described as the first natural history production to document a lion’s complete journey from vulnerable cub to king.
The series premieres on National Geographic Channel on August 27 and streams on JioHotstar.
- Who
- The series follows lion cub Kio and was produced by BBC Studios Natural History Unit for National Geographic, with music by Hans Zimmer.
- What
- Lion documents Kio’s four-year journey from a vulnerable cub to a king and pride leader.
- When
- The series premieres on August 27.
- Where
- It was filmed entirely in Kenya’s Maasai Mara and will air on National Geographic Channel and stream on JioHotstar.
- Why
- The production aims to tell a character-driven, documentary-based story about survival, family, courage and leadership.
- Composer
- Hans Zimmer
- Subject
- Kio, a lion cub followed through his development into a king
- Filming location
- Kenya’s Maasai Mara
- Production period
- Four years
- Filming scale
- Nearly 1,400 filming days across 52 shoots
- Producer
- BBC Studios Natural History Unit for National Geographic
- Release
- August 27 on National Geographic Channel and JioHotstar