Wild at Heart

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8 / 10
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Overview

The Trevanion family decide to make a fresh start and emigrate to South Africa to set up an animal reserve.

Cast

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Actor Avatar
Stephen Tompkinson
Actor Avatar
Deon Stewardson
Creator:
Ashley Pharoah
Fist Air Date:
2006-01-29
Episode Runtime:
60m
Genres:
Drama
Keywords:
comforting living abroad south africa veterinarian
More Show Details

Vote Average: 7.4/10

Vote Count: 14 Votes

Show Popularity: 3.1681

Show Status: Ended

Show Type: Scripted

Spoken Languages: English

Review

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  1. Insomniacs Reviews
    8 Based on 1 Votes
    • 10
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    • 9
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    • 8
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    • 6
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    ⭐ Insomniacs Rating: 8/10 THE SUMMARY The quintessential Sunday night drama that made everyone in the UK want to pack a suitcase and move to a South African game reserve. Wild at Heart follows vet Danny Trevanion (Stephen Tompkinson) as he relocates his chaotic blended family from Bristol to "Leopard's Den" to rehabilitate wildlife and build a dream. By today, April 24, 2026, the series remains a beloved staple of the ITV archive; it’s been 14 years since that emotional two-hour finale in 2012, yet its 100% authentic portrayal of the bush continues to pull in new viewers on streaming platforms like ITVX. THE PROS Stephen Tompkinson delivers a sincere, steady performance as the backbone of the family, while the late Deon Stewardson’s "Du Plessis" remains a genuine highlight—providing a witty, grumpy heart to the show that is impossible not to love. The "casting" of the animals is a total win; since it was filmed on location at the real Glen Afric Country Lodge, the interactions with lions and giraffes feel visceral and far more authentic than any modern CGI. It’s the "Go To" for family drama that balances high-stakes animal rescues with the messy, human reality of step-parents and rebellious teenagers. THE CONS It hits an 8/10 because, after seven seasons, the "revolving door" of family members became a bit of a head-scratcher. When Amanda Holden’s Sarah was written out in Series 3, the show lost a bit of its original spark, and some later storylines felt like a "languid" attempt to recapture the magic of the early years. It misses the 9/10 mark because it can occasionally lean into "soapy" territory, making the survival of the game reserve feel a bit secondary to who is dating whom at the local bar. THE VERDICT An 8/10. It is a genuine, sun-drenched triumph that proved you don't need a massive budget to create a gripping epic. It’s a bit of a let-down if you’re looking for a gritty documentary, but as a "family saga with claws," it’s a crown jewel of British television. As of 2026, it stands as a complete 65-episode journey that serves as the ultimate comfort-watch for anyone needing a virtual escape to the plains of South Africa. INSOMNIAC TRIVIA * Real Residents: The show was filmed at Glen Afric Country Lodge in Broederstroom, where many of the "animal actors"—like the famous giraffe Hamley—were actual residents of the sanctuary. * Survival Stats: During its original run, the show was a ratings juggernaut, often pulling in over 10 million viewers and easily beating out rival wildlife documentaries. * The 2026 Legacy: In a sincere nod to the show’s impact, the real-life Glen Afric sanctuary continues to be a "Go To" destination for fans in 2026 who want to see the "Leopard’s Den" house, which still stands today. * US Cousin: The show was so successful it spawned an American remake titled *Life Is Wild* in 2007, though it was a bit of a damp squib and only lasted one season. * Final Goodbye: The series officially ended on December 30, 2012, with a two-hour special that saw Danny and the family fighting to save Leopard's Den one last time. THE VIBE Like a sunset over the veldt after a very long day in the sun. It smells of dry earth, old acacia trees, diesel from a Land Rover, and the distinct, wild scent of an African afternoon.

TV Show Poster

Season 1

6 Episodes

Air Date: 2006-01-29

TV Show Poster

Season 2

10 Episodes

Air Date: 2007-01-14

TV Show Poster

Season 3

8 Episodes

Air Date: 2008-01-20

TV Show Poster

Season 4

10 Episodes

Air Date: 2009-01-11

Season 5

10 Episodes

Air Date: 2010-01-10

TV Show Poster

Season 6

10 Episodes

Air Date: 2011-01-10

TV Show Poster

Season 7

10 Episodes

Air Date: 2012-01-08

Season 8

1 Episodes

Air Date: 2012-12-30

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Reviews for

Wild at Heart

Comment (1)

  1. Insomniacs Reviews

    ⭐ Insomniacs Rating: 8/10

    THE SUMMARY

    The quintessential Sunday night drama that made everyone in the UK want to pack a suitcase and move to a South African game reserve. Wild at Heart follows vet Danny Trevanion (Stephen Tompkinson) as he relocates his chaotic blended family from Bristol to “Leopard’s Den” to rehabilitate wildlife and build a dream. By today, April 24, 2026, the series remains a beloved staple of the ITV archive; it’s been 14 years since that emotional two-hour finale in 2012, yet its 100% authentic portrayal of the bush continues to pull in new viewers on streaming platforms like ITVX.

    THE PROS

    Stephen Tompkinson delivers a sincere, steady performance as the backbone of the family, while the late Deon Stewardson’s “Du Plessis” remains a genuine highlight—providing a witty, grumpy heart to the show that is impossible not to love. The “casting” of the animals is a total win; since it was filmed on location at the real Glen Afric Country Lodge, the interactions with lions and giraffes feel visceral and far more authentic than any modern CGI. It’s the “Go To” for family drama that balances high-stakes animal rescues with the messy, human reality of step-parents and rebellious teenagers.

    THE CONS

    It hits an 8/10 because, after seven seasons, the “revolving door” of family members became a bit of a head-scratcher. When Amanda Holden’s Sarah was written out in Series 3, the show lost a bit of its original spark, and some later storylines felt like a “languid” attempt to recapture the magic of the early years. It misses the 9/10 mark because it can occasionally lean into “soapy” territory, making the survival of the game reserve feel a bit secondary to who is dating whom at the local bar.

    THE VERDICT

    An 8/10. It is a genuine, sun-drenched triumph that proved you don’t need a massive budget to create a gripping epic. It’s a bit of a let-down if you’re looking for a gritty documentary, but as a “family saga with claws,” it’s a crown jewel of British television. As of 2026, it stands as a complete 65-episode journey that serves as the ultimate comfort-watch for anyone needing a virtual escape to the plains of South Africa.

    INSOMNIAC TRIVIA

    * Real Residents: The show was filmed at Glen Afric Country Lodge in Broederstroom, where many of the “animal actors”—like the famous giraffe Hamley—were actual residents of the sanctuary.

    * Survival Stats: During its original run, the show was a ratings juggernaut, often pulling in over 10 million viewers and easily beating out rival wildlife documentaries.

    * The 2026 Legacy: In a sincere nod to the show’s impact, the real-life Glen Afric sanctuary continues to be a “Go To” destination for fans in 2026 who want to see the “Leopard’s Den” house, which still stands today.

    * US Cousin: The show was so successful it spawned an American remake titled *Life Is Wild* in 2007, though it was a bit of a damp squib and only lasted one season.

    * Final Goodbye: The series officially ended on December 30, 2012, with a two-hour special that saw Danny and the family fighting to save Leopard’s Den one last time.

    THE VIBE

    Like a sunset over the veldt after a very long day in the sun. It smells of dry earth, old acacia trees, diesel from a Land Rover, and the distinct, wild scent of an African afternoon.

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