Dian Fossey: Secrets in the Mist: Story, Cast and Series Facts

Story and premise

Dian Fossey was a pioneer, a renowned primatologist who dedicated her life to the study of gorillas and their protection. She became an international icon, but in Rwanda she was waging a war. This fight ultimately cost Fossey her life, and her brutal murder in 1985 remains unsolved to this day.

The series weaves together three story strands. The first is the story of Dian's life and work – her childhood, her first trip to Africa and her arrival in Rwanda where she set up the Karisoke Research Centre to study Mountain Gorillas. The second strand tells the story of Dian's murder in Rwanda and the trial of her American co-worker Wayne McGuire, who was found guilty of her murder. Wayne fled Rwanda before the trial began but was convicted in absentia. He has always maintained his innocence. We review the scant evidence presented at the trial and speak with people who were involved in investigating the murder. Finally, we will tell the story of Dian's legacy through the Pablo troop of gorillas, the offspring of gorillas who Dian knew and studied, and that survived the very worst years of poaching and habitat loss due in large part to Dian's efforts.

This stunning three-part documentary series features rare and previously unseen archival footage of Fossey in her daily habituations as she studies gorillas up-close, and includes in-depth interviews with some of her closest colleagues and friends including her research assistant, who was accused of her murder, Wayne McGuire and friend Sir David Attenborough.

Series details

• Title: Dian Fossey: Secrets in the Mist
• Format: Documentary
• Language: English
• Genres: Nature
• Premiere date: 2017-12-06
• Final broadcast date listed: 2017-12-20
• Status in TVmaze: Ended
• Network listed by TVmaze: National Geographic
• Network country: United Kingdom
• Typical episode runtime: 60 minutes
• TVMaze ID: 33304
• IMDb ID: tt7740574
• TVDB ID: 338839

Cast and credited roles

• Sigourney Weaver — Narrator

Seasons in the TVmaze catalogue

• Season 1: premiered 2017-12-06; final listed air date 2017-12-20; episode order: 3.

Source and licence

Adapted from Dian Fossey: Secrets in the Mist on TVmaze. The synopsis is reproduced as plain text; catalogue facts, cast and season records are selected and reformatted. This adapted text is available under CC BY-SA 4.0, following the TVmaze API licence. Network and web-channel credits identify the service listed in this source; they do not establish current streaming availability.