In this ambitious new four-part series, James will examine and explain the 30 trillion cells working together to keep us alive. From the engine-room stomach to the wiring of the nerves, the air-pump lungs, and the fuel-pump heart – right down to the humble nostril hair and hard-working eyelashes (nature’s windscreen wipers) James will explore the ingenious systems that nature has perfected over millions of years. But for all its brilliance, the human body is also frustratingly fragile. Bits break, ache, and droop. A cold, a scratch, or a dodgy lunch can derail the whole system.
James will investigate how humans have spent millennia fixing ourselves – from ancient potions and grisly amputations to the latest in robot surgeons, 3D-printed organs, and microscopic medical marvels. Best known for tinkering with the inner workings of cars and bikes, James will now turn his attention to our “marvellous meat-sacks” – visiting cutting-edge labs, grisly medical museums, and even scrub up for some hands-on procedures. Along the way, he’ll break down how the body works, how it can go wrong, and the ingenious ways we’ve learned to repair and improve it – while also exploring what engineering can learn from biology. And he’s planning to start the series hanging upside down…
Role: DV Director
Director: Tom Whitter
Channel: Channel 5
Year: 2025
