PBS has unveiled its latest venture into groundbreaking documentary storytelling with the announcement of “Hope in the Water,” set to premiere in the summer of 2024. This three part docuseries embarks on an ambitious journey, exploring innovative blue food solutions and technologies across the globe, with a focus on sustaining both the world’s food supply and its waterways.

The series, described as character driven and pioneering, is the brainchild of acclaimed producer David E. Kelley, a 13 time Emmy Award winner known for his storytelling prowess. Kelley, in a recent press release, emphasized the series’ mission to envision a world where ecological balance coexists with food abundance. “Hope in the Water,” he says, “is our attempt to reshape global menus in a way that leaves a lasting, positive impact for future generations.”

Joining Kelley in this endeavor is the renowned Chef Andrew Zimmern, a four-time James Beard Award and Emmy Award recipient, and his production company, Intuitive Content. The series is under the direction of award-winning filmmaker Brian Peter Falk.

“Hope in the Water” promises to take viewers on a global tour, uncovering revolutionary blue food technologies and solutions aimed at saving our imperiled seas and freshwater bodies while securing food resources for future generations. The series also features notable environmental activists including Shailene Woodley, Martha Stewart, José Andrés, and Baratunde Thurston, who delve into the often overlooked costs of the climate crisis, irresponsible fishing practices, and habitat destruction. These stories will highlight the efforts of innovators, aquafarmers, and fishermen at the forefront of sustainable practices for our planet.

The series is a key component of a larger, multi-year impact campaign spearheaded by the nonprofit Fed by Blue. This organization is dedicated to educating and inspiring a diverse group of individuals, from ocean enthusiasts to activists, on the significance of a responsible blue food system. Jennifer Bushman, co-founder of Fed by Blue, shared their commitment to these conversations, emphasizing the need to balance water protection with production for the future of food.

“Hope in the Water” forms part of PBS’s broader, multi-platform initiative focusing on the climate crisis. This initiative, “Climate, Nature, & Our Planet,” seeks to deepen public understanding of climate-related issues and their intersections with conservation, biodiversity, and ecosystems, highlighting the profound impact these issues have on communities, nations, and the planet as a whole.