Dr Chris van Tulleken will examine the source of the next global pandemic in a new documentary for BBC Factual.
Produced by STV Studios, the landmark film for BBC Two and iPlayer will also uncover why new viruses are emerging at an increased rate and explore the cutting-edge science of preparedness and prevention.
Disease X is the name the World Health Organisation gives to the yet-to-be discovered virus most likely to cause the next pandemic. While nothing is known about it, many believe it has the potential to be bigger and deadlier than Covid-19 or anything else we’ve seen before.
“This urgent factual thriller combines the professional and personal experience of Dr Chris – one of the UK’s most trusted scientific voices – with the latest frontline research to help us understand the scale of the Disease X threat and sound the alarm before it’s too late. This is, without doubt, one of the most critical science stories of our time,” said Craig Hunter, Executive Producer and Creative Director of Factual at STV Studios.
The Horizon Special will follow van Tulleken as he travels the globe to meet the scientists racing to prevent the next pandemic. He’ll also speak to the teams who, since the Covid-19 pandemic, have continued their work on the science of preparedness and prevention.
“Covid-19 brought the tragic consequences of deadly pandemics to the forefront of public consciousness,” said van Tulleken.
“Chillingly, the scientific consensus suggests another pandemic will happen in our lifetime and it could be even worse than what has gone before. This investigation into the source of the next pandemic is, therefore, imperative, and will provide a critical insight into one of the greatest threats facing humanity today.”
Disease X is a 1 x 60minute documentary for BBC Two and iPlayer. It’s co-produced by The Open University, with support from Screen Scotland. It was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual for BBC Two and iPlayer, and the Commissioning Editor is Tom Coveney, Head of Commissioning, Science.
Craig Hunter and Joe Sharp serve as Executive Producers, while the Director is Emeka Onono and the Production Executive is Paul McCaffery. The film was developed by Lucy Hazzard and Assistant Producer, Heather McCorriston.
“It’s great to see the BBC commission ambitious and timely documentaries of this scale from STV Studios,” added David Smith, Director of Screen Scotland.
“Screen Scotland’s Broadcast Content Fund helps Scotland-based production companies like STV Studios to win and deliver new projects, driving economic growth and jobs for the Scottish production sector through their creativity. This is another vote of confidence in Scottish production talent from BBC Factual.”
