National Geographic, along with Rex, part of factual powerhouse Zinc Media Group, announced today the greenlight of Top Gun: The Next Generation (working title). With unprecedented access to one of the U.S. Navy’s most demanding training and selection programs, this adrenaline-fueled and emotionally searing documentary series follows the world-class U.S. Navy student pilots as they work to join the next generation of the Navy’s most elite strike fighter pilots.
The series follows a group of officers as they push their limits on the grueling Advanced Flight Training Program. For the first time ever, they will be embarking on some of the most challenging flight tests possible including landing on an aircraft carrier at sea. The elite nature of the course means that only a minority – the very best – will make it to the top to fly the world’s most advanced jet – the F-35C Lightning II.
The emotional character-led stories will primarily be told through the perspective of a diverse range of Navy student pilots. This first-time access will allow the series to follow the prospective naval aviators every step of the way – in the air, in the classroom, off-base and at home – as we discover who’s got what it takes to make it to the F-35C.
This observational documentary will have epic aerial sequences while intimate moments reveal the emotions of the young candidates and the immense pressure they face.
“With so many millions of fans of the film around the world, I was immediately drawn to this series – these elite jet pilots are not only extremely accomplished and impressive, but all have very different stories to tell,” said Tom McDonald, EVP, Global Factual and Unscripted Content, National Geographic. “With Nat Geo’s exclusive unprecedented inside access, this series promises to be an exhilarating, visually jaw-dropping and fascinating journey into the intensely competitive world of elite flying.”
Tanya Shaw, managing director, Zinc Television, says: “The intimate access we have gained to the characters and the emotional character-led story arcs that run through the series will paint a vivid, compelling narrative around the young men and women embarking on this highly stressful process. That narrative will elevate the series beyond the noise and spectacle of fighter jets to tell the tense, nuanced and poignant human stories behind the public-facing bravado. This is a unique project and we are thrilled to be bringing it to viewers.”
The docuseries will be produced for National Geographic by Rex, a Zinc Media label. For Zinc, the series was created by Karen Edwards, who is also showrunner, and it will be executive produced by Tanya Shaw. For Rex, the series director is Lana Salah. For National Geographic, commissioning editor is Simon Raikes; Charlie Parsons is senior vice president, Development; and Tom McDonald is executive vice president, Global Factual and Unscripted Content.
About National Geographic Content
Award-winning and critically acclaimed National Geographic Content, part of a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, creates and delivers riveting stories and experiences in natural history, science, adventure and exploration. Inspiring a deeper connection to the world, the content studio reaches 300 million people worldwide in 180 countries and 33 languages across the global National Geographic channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO), National Geographic Documentary Films, and direct-to-consumer platforms Disney+ and Hulu. Its diverse content includes Emmy® Award-winning franchise Genius, series Life Below Zero and Secrets of the Whales, and Oscar®- and BAFTA award-winning film Free Solo. In 2022, National Geographic Content was awarded eight News and Documentary Emmys, in addition to Life Below Zero’s Emmy win for Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Program, its sixth Emmy overall. For more information, visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or follow Nat Geo on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
About Zinc Media Group
Zinc Media Group plc, (AIM: ZIN), the UK factual TV and multimedia content powerhouse, is home to some of the UK’s leading content creators.
Rex, which was launched by Zinc in 2022, works with commissioners, collaborators and co-production partners both in the UK and internationally, across all types of broadcasters, streamers and content platforms. The label also works with Zinc’s Branded Content Division to bring innovative funding models to the table.
Rex joins the company’s other award-winning and critically acclaimed television production labels:
- Brook Lapping, the home of exceptional current affairs, contemporary history and investigations
- Red Sauce, the home of factual entertainment and formats from London and the Regions
- Supercollider, the home of ‘genre-blending’ content for TV and brands
- Tern Television, the multi-award-winning Nations factual producer with production centres in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Belfast
- Atomic, the home of premium specialist factual content within the genres of history, science, adventure and documentary
The group’s commercial content creation unit, Zinc Communicate, specialises in the creation of advertiser-funded programming, digital branded entertainment, podcast and radio programmes, corporate film, and publishing and advertising sales. Recent clients include Adobe, GlaxoSmithKline, Fuller’s, Universal Music Group, Nationwide, Nasdaq, E-On, RIBA, RNLI and Aegon.
Zinc also recently acquired The Edge Picture Company, one of the largest brand film-making production companies in the UK. The Edge has won over 700 awards including – for 15 years running – New York Festivals TV & Film Awards’ Production Company of the Year Worldwide. Its clients span the globe and feature some of the world’s leading brands, businesses and charities, including multinational names such as Amazon, BT Group and FIFA – to name but a few.