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Extra Life: A Short History of Living Longer

Program Overview

unscripted

4 x 60 min

PRODUCER

Nutopia

BROADCASTERS

PBS (US) and BBC (UK)

International Sales

Celebrating the unsung heroes who made it happen, Extra Life: A Short History of Living Longer reveals the little-known story of a public health revolution that doubled the human lifespan in less than a century, paving the way for modern medicine.

The timely four-part series explores the lessons learned from previous pandemics—including smallpox, cholera, and the Spanish flu—and reveals how scientists, doctors, self-experimenters, and activists fundamentally changed how we think about illness thanks to medical innovations that conquered some of the world’s deadliest diseases.

Best-selling author Steven Johnson, alongside historian and broadcaster David Olusoga, guide viewers across three centuries, tracing the origins of inoculation back to Africa—long before the discovery of vaccination in the west. And reveal how collective efforts around the world can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

Awards

Non-Fiction – Science & Technology Program nominee
Realscreen Awards
2022
Best Documentary Series winner
Content Innovation Awards
2021
Best Science Long Format nominee
WCSFP Buzzies
2021
Best Documentary Series nominee
Content Innovation Awards
2021