Octopus! on Prime Video UK – A Fun Docuseries That Dives Into the Secret Life of Octopuses
Octopus! is a light and entertaining two-part documentary series now streaming on Prime Video UK. Directed by Niharika Desai and narrated by the talented Phoebe Waller-Bridge (who also helped produce it), the show takes a closer look at the curious world of octopuses. With humor and warmth, it explores how these clever sea creatures live, breed, and survive in the deep ocean.
Stream Octopus! on Prime Video UK.
What’s Octopus! All About?
The series doesn’t just focus on facts about octopuses, it also introduces viewers to people who are passionate about them. One surprising guest is comedian Tracy Morgan. He’s featured in the show because of his personal interest in marine life. Morgan has a large home aquarium and has kept octopuses as pets. He shares how these animals taught him about adapting to life’s challenges. However, their short lifespan (just 1 to 5 years) led him to stop keeping them. As he puts it, “I got tired of being sad.”
We also meet marine experts like Dr. Jenny Hoffmeister, a marine biologist from California who also enjoys quilting, and Piero Amodio, a researcher from Italy studying octopus behavior. Piero is especially fascinated by the Pacific striped octopus, one of the few species that live in groups instead of alone.
A Look Into the Life of an Octopus
One of the most touching parts of the show is the animated story of “Doris,” a Giant Pacific Octopus. We follow her journey from being one of thousands of tiny hatchlings, most of which don’t survive, to adulthood. Doris finds a home, mates with a male octopus named “Mike,” and then stores his sperm until she’s ready to lay her eggs. Once her babies are safe and hatched, her life comes to a natural end, a typical but emotional cycle in the octopus world.
A Different Kind of Nature Show
Unlike serious nature documentaries with dramatic landscapes and intense narration, Octopus! keeps things light and fun. It’s similar in tone to shows like Penguin Town rather than the more serious tone of David Attenborough’s documentaries.
The visuals are still fascinating. You’ll see how octopuses change color and shape to blend into their surroundings, and even learn about their beak-like mouth located underneath their body. But the series avoids overwhelming viewers with too many facts at once.
By keeping the interviews focused and bringing in a few unique voices, especially Tracy Morgan, the series stays fun and engaging. Morgan adds humor, but also surprising insight into marine life.
Dr. Jenny, Piero, and even a Greek fisherman named Girogos Livanos bring different views on how humans interact with octopuses, whether it’s through science or fishing. The show doesn’t judge those who fish for a living. Instead, it opens a conversation about how we often treat animals as if they think like humans, which isn’t always accurate but is very relatable.
What really stands out in Octopus! is the creative animation that tells the story of Doris. It helps viewers understand the full life cycle of an octopus in a way that’s both emotional and informative. Combined with Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s witty and thoughtful narration, the animation makes the story memorable.