Actors Samuel West and Ade Edmondson return to Channel 5 for the second season of their wildlife and travel series, Sam & Ade Go Birding. The new season premieres on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 7 p.m.
Following a successful first series, which earned a Grierson Award longlist nomination for Best Documentary Presenter, this season expands to six hour-long episodes. Produced by Frank Films, the show follows the pair as they explore the British countryside, from the Yorkshire Dales and West Wales to remote Scottish isles.
A Journey Through British Landscapes
The season premiere highlights the duo’s personal connection to the Yorkshire Dales. Edmondson collects West from the set of All Creatures Great and Small, where West plays veterinarian Siegfried Farnon. The Dales hold significance for both men: West films there regularly, and Edmondson spent his childhood in the region.
Throughout the series, the pair tracks various bird species, including curlews, swifts, swallows, red kites, ospreys, and woodland songbirds. Beyond ornithology, the show provides a platform for candid discussions on ageing, family, mortality, and life’s rhythms.
Conservation and Connection
The series balances lighthearted banter with serious conservation. In the first episode, the duo visits a farm to observe nesting swallows and travels to the Nidderdale moors to search for the declining curlew population, meeting with local conservationists to discuss protection efforts.
“The show is about male friendship as much as anything else,” says Ade Edmondson. “Now I’m nearing 70, I’ve had quite a few friends die, and Sam’s a new friend who has gone through the death of both his parents since filming began. The show opens up a new way of talking about the world.”
Production and Future Episodes
The first three episodes air starting October 1, with the remaining three scheduled for a later date. Kit Morey, Commissioning Editor for Channel 5, describes the series as a joyful and thoughtful production.
“It’s no secret just how much I adore this joyful series… or how long I waited to make it, but the wait was so worth it as Sam and Ade have created something truly special – warm, funny, thoughtful and full of wonder,” says Morey.
Sam & Ade Go Birding offers a contemplative look at the natural world, encouraging audiences to engage with the environment through the lens of a developing friendship.
Key Details for Season Two
- Premiere Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Network: Channel 5
- Episode Count: 6 episodes
- Production Company: Frank Films
