Plot Synopsis

Narrated by Adjoa Andoh, CHASING THE RAINS is a one-hour documentary series that follows three animal matriarchs as they protect their families while surviving the trials of one of the worst droughts for 20 years. In Samburu, an elephant family known as the Royals returns to the river alongside hundreds of other herds. Meanwhile in the Highlands of Laikipia, wild dog matriarch Phoenix introduces her five new puppies to the pack, while in Naboisho near the Masai Mara, new cheetah mum Kuleta faces the challenge of raising four tiny cubs in a place where hyenas and lions live in abundance. But the rains have been poor, and the river quickly dries forcing the elephants to dig for wells or face a trek to distant springs in the North. As the drought intensifies, Phoenix and her pack face a mortal battle with a hyena clan, while Kuleta is forced into lion country where the larger predators tragically kill one of her cubs. Moreover, an unseasonal downpour refills the river in Samburu and the elephants are able to return. But it's a brief reprieve as the drought bites even harder. The elephant herd splits to make the most of resources, Phoenix is forced on a long search after the pack's alpha male disappears and Kuleta faces further battles with amorous male cheetahs and a local hyena clan. The rains finally return restoring the land, but climate change is causing great changes here. People and animals alike need unlimited resilience to deal with the future. CHASING THE RAINS made its U.S. debut on Saturday, April 22, 2023, as AMC+ released all episodes and BBC America began to air the program weekly. Episodes include:

"The Fickle River" (U.S. debut on Saturday, April 22, 2023 on AMC+ and at 8pm ET/PT on BBC America): In Samburu, an elephant herd named the Royals face a challenge when their river dries out early due to poor rains. In Laikipia, wild dog matriarch Phoenix battles time as she nurtures her five pups as the land quickly dries. And in Naboisho near the Masai Mara, first-time cheetah mother Kuleta and her four cubs battle a lone hyena.

"Blood and Dust" (U.S. debut on Saturday, April 22, 2023 on AMC+; linear TV premiere on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 8pm ET/PT on BBC America): In Samburu, elephants dig wells in the dry riverbed, but herders drive them from the reserve. New cheetah mother Kuleta moves into lion country in search of prey, but tragically loses a cub to the larger predator. It takes all her resilience to recover her confidence. In bone-dry Laikipia, wild dog matriarch Phoenix is challenged by a mob of hyenas. But the landscape is finally given a reprieve by an unseasonal downpour which refills the river.

"Praying for Rain" (U.S. debut on Saturday, April 22, 2023 on AMC+; linear TV premiere on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 8pm ET/PT on BBC America): Challenges for the animals reach a critical point as they await the seasonal rains. In Samburu, the elephant herd with two new-born infants splits to maximize resources in the bone-dry landscape. Wild dog matriarch Phoenix journeys to find a new alpha male when her mate dramatically disappears. Kuleta and her cubs are harassed by male cheetahs but dramatically retake their territory by forcing a hyena clan into retreat. Finally, the rains return, but in this world of unpredictable climate change, survival requires even more ingenuity, resilience, and strength.

"Making Of" (U.S. debut on Saturday, April 22, 2023 on AMC+; not available on BBC America): This episode offers an in-depth documentary revealing how the series was produced in collaboration with inspirational local conservationists.