Supporting Global Productions: Kieran Cato’s Role on National Geographic’s Pole to Pole with Will Smith

January 2026

Unit Management

The epic seven-part National Geographic/ Disney+ original docu-series Pole to Pole With Will Smith premieres this January, taking audiences on a once-in-a-lifetime global expedition across all seven continents. Produced by National Geographic, Nutopia and Westbrook Studios, the series (which was filmed over 100 days) follows Will Smith as he journeys more than 26,000 miles from the South Pole to the North Pole, exploring Earth’s most extreme and diverse environments.

Behind the scenes of this extraordinary production, CATO Group Managing Director Kieran Cato was approached by the team at Nutopia to lead the Unit Department during part of the production. Working in remote, mountainous, sub-zero regions of Bhutan, Kieran was responsible for managing a highly specialised and well-equipped unit department (Unit Management), supporting a sizeable international crew, members of the Bhutanese Royal Family, and A-list talent.

Working in extremely challenging locations required a unit department capable of operating independently, anticipating risk, and responding quickly to unforeseen challenges – skills Kieran has honed through years of managing complex productions in demanding environments.

Pole to Pole premieres on National Geographic Jan 13th and Disney+ worldwide Jan 14th. You can read the offical press release here.

Journey through the Planet’s most extreme environments in National Geographic’s new series Pole To Pole with Will Smith

The Seven-Part Docuseries Premieres Jan. 14 on National Geographic and Disney+, Produced By Westbrook Studios, Nutopia and Protozoa From the South Pole to the North Pole, Will Smith Joins Seven Extraordinary Expeditions To Discover the Secrets of Earth’s Most Extreme Environments, Pushing His Mental and Physical Resilience to the Limits

This January, Will Smith takes audiences on the ultimate journey of discovery in the new National Geographic original series POLE TO POLE WITH WILL SMITH. The seven-part docuseries premieres Jan. 14 on National Geographic in the UK and Disney+. Five years in the making, the series follows Will across all seven continents, taking him from the icefields of Antarctica to the jungles of the Amazon, the mountains of the Himalayas, the deserts of Africa, the islands of the Pacific and the icebergs of the Arctic.

Inspired by his late mentor to explore life’s big questions, Will throws himself into incredible challenges for 100 days: skiing to the South Pole, catching a giant anaconda, milking a venomous tarantula, climbing mountains, and diving under the ice of the North Pole. He will venture from pole to pole in the company of scientists, explorers and local experts.

Told with a cinematic scale, access, and authenticity only National Geographic can deliver, this once-in-a-lifetime adventure blends cutting-edge science, environmental storytelling, and bold exploration. Guided by experts, scientists and explorers, Will helps make world-first scientific discoveries and forges profound human connections — from the Amazon’s Waorani community to the Kalahari’s San people,whose knowledge and resilience offer powerful lessons about our future on the planet. POLE TO POLE WITH WILL SMITH is an epic global undertaking defined by endurance, wonder and hope.

“This journey was unlike anything I’ve ever done — at times I feared I might not make it home! It’s an exploration not just of the planet’s edges, but of some of the most extraordinary people living there,” said Smith. “From the coldest ice to the deepest jungles, the beauty of our world inspired my every step with awe and hope.”

“With POLE TO POLE WITH WILL SMITH, we’re inviting audiences to see our planet through Will’s eyes — with all the wonder, humor, and humanity he brings to every experience,” said Tom McDonald, EVP, Content, National Geographic. “It’s a thrilling adventure that embodies what National Geographic does best: combining jaw-dropping cinematography, powerful storytelling and a deeper understanding of how our world works – and why it matters.”

Supporting Global Productions: Kieran Cato's role on National Geographic's Pole to Pole with Will Smith
CATO Group Managing Director Kieran Cato and Crew behind National Geographic's Pole to Pole with Will Smith Docuseries whilst filming in Bhutan
CATO Group Managing Director Kieran Cato and Crew behind National Geographic's Pole to Pole with Will Smith Docuseries whilst filming in Bhutan

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Supporting Global Productions: Kieran Cato's role on National Geographic's Pole to Pole with Will Smith

Supporting Global Productions: Kieran Cato’s Role on National Geographic’s Pole to Pole with Will Smith

The epic seven-part National Geographic/ Disney+ original docu-series Pole to Pole With Will Smith premieres this January, taking audiences on a once-in-a-lifetime global expedition across all seven continents. Produced by National Geographic, Nutopia and Westbrook Studios, the series (which was filmed over 100 days) follows Will Smith as he journeys more than 26,000 miles from the South Pole to the North Pole, exploring Earth’s most extreme and diverse environments.

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