Nick Lyon - Showrunner & Director
"INDIANA JONES" - Fun Fact - As a teenager Nick managed to get himself onto several archaeological and palaeontological digs. He even spent a summer in nerd heaven working at the Natural History Museum. During that summer, whilst at the famous Baryonyx dinosaur dig, he discovered a new species of fossil cockroach.
"I don’t just film nature - I fight for it.
Every frame is our chance to change the story."
Nick founded Painted Wolf Pictures on the belief that those people who had spent time behind the lens often had a unique perspective and story worth telling. A keen camera operator himself, it is no wonder that he surrounded himself with some of the greatest natural history DoP talent. Nick's hand-picked team is built on years of friendship and professional collaboration. Each member has made their own films, has certain obsessive qualities making them expert in their own fields, a driving passion that keeps them going against the odds, and every one is passionate about protecting wildlife and a sustainable future for all. It is with this shared passion that all our projects are filtered through the lens - how can we make a difference?
Nick Lyon is an accomplished wildlife filmmaker, photographer, and force for conservation, known for blending cinematic artistry with impactful storytelling. With expertise spanning blue-chip landmark series, observational documentaries, long-form narratives, and high-end CGI, he has produced, directed, and written award-winning films - including Painted Wolf, which took home the prestigious Jackson Hole Best Behaviour Award.
Behind the camera, his photography captures nature’s grandeur and its urgent challenges, from remote indigenous communities to Africa’s sweeping savannahs and the ocean’s depths. His images have graced major publications, books, and even inspired high-profile artworks, amplifying conservation messages worldwide.
A natural leader, he orchestrates international teams, manages multi-million-dollar budgets, and deftly handles the political intricacies of global filming. Committed to legacy, he trains the next generation of filmmakers and champions grassroots-to-global conservation - advising policymakers, collaborating with scientists, and serving as a Patron of the Painted Dog Conservancy.
Whether through breath-taking visuals, gripping documentaries, or hands-on advocacy, his mission is clear: to make the unseen seen, and the urgent unforgettable.
DIRECTOR · WRITER
As Producer, Director, and Writer of the Atlantic episode for Netflix’s Our Oceans, Nick led a ground-breaking exploration of one of the planet’s most vital and vulnerable ecosystems. From the riches driven up from the depths of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge to the bustling coastal communities fighting for survival in a fast-changing world, his visionary storytelling wove together cutting-edge science, breath-taking cinematography, and raw character narratives into a cinematic call to action. Navigating complex international logistics, elusive subjects, challenging conditions, and collaborating with top marine biologists, he delivered more than a documentary - he crafted an immersive experience that laid bare the Atlantic’s fragile beauty and the urgent need to protect it. The result? A film that doesn’t just inform audiences, but moves them to care deeply about the lifeblood of our planet.
DEVELOPMENT · WRITER · PRODUCER
As a key creative force behind Apple TV+’s ground-breaking Prehistoric Planet, Nick played a pivotal role in shaping the series’ vision - not just as a developer, writer, and producer, but as a bridge between cutting-edge animation and the authentic language of natural history filmmaking. Drawing on decades of experience documenting real-world animal behaviour, he guided animation teams to craft creatures that moved, hunted, and interacted with startling realism, and in a world where anything was possible - he imposed a strict adherence to the real-world challenges, restrictions and rules of how we would film these animals if they were alive in front of the cameras. His editorial leadership ensured every frame honoured the drama and scientific integrity of nature documentaries, while his storytelling transformed ancient ecosystems into visceral, emotional experiences. The result? A prehistoric world that feels alive, urgent, and unmistakably real - redefining what’s possible in wildlife storytelling.
DIRECTOR · WRITER
For the BBC’s landmark Dynasties series, Nick immersed himself in the raw, untamed world of African painted wolves - not as an observer, but as a relentless storyteller living among them for years. Battling treacherous terrain, volatile weather, and a complex political landscape, he documented the pack’s dynastic struggles with unprecedented intimacy, revealing their intelligence, resilience, and incredible family bonds all under the stress of an ever-shrinking wilderness. His unwavering commitment - both to the wolves’ story and the delicate negotiations required to film it - culminated in a tour de force of natural history filmmaking. The result? A cinematic masterpiece that claimed the prestigious Jackson Hole Best Behaviour Award, triumphing over bigger budget landmark giants. More than a film, it was a testament to what happens when skill, endurance, and deep respect for the wild collide.
FIELD DIRECTOR, 2ND UNIT
Field Director for Disney Nature’s Monkey Kingdom, orchestrating wild primate storytelling through immersive, on-the-ground filmmaking. Brought in for specific knowledge and specific shots and scenarios he had successfully captured on previous productions.
DIRECTOR · PRODUCER · WRITER
Producer-Director & Cameraman for BBC2’s Wonders of the Monsoon, crafting the award-winning Drought episode—honoured by Wildscreen’s Cinematography Award and the Guild of Television Cameramen’s Excellence prize.
FIELD DIRECTOR · ASSISTANT PRODUCER
Field Director on Wild Planet: North America (2013), leading expeditions to document the continent’s most iconic - and elusive - creatures for this sweeping natural history series.
CREATOR · ASSOCIATE PRODUCER · FIELD DIRECTOR
Associate Producer on BBC2’s 1 x 60' Natural World: Radio Gibbon and BBC World Wide's 6 x 30' Good Morning Kalimantan, crafting intimate wildlife films across Borneo's fast-changing landscape.