ON NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC THIS SEPTEMBER
The Unbelievable True Story About the Recovery of Three Tons of Gold and Priceless Artifacts
In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stunned the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. But the gold transformed Tommy’s life in a way no one could expect. CURSED GOLD: A SHIPWRECK SCANDAL gives a glimpse into the 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, that followed, taking him from venerated celebrity to suspected conman and finally, a defiant prisoner who refused to give up his gold. The three-part series will premiere on National Geographic (DStv 181, Starsat 220) on Sundays at 21:00 (CAT) from 8 September 2024.
CURSED GOLD: A SHIPWRECK SCANDAL, from BBC Studios and based on the New York Times bestseller “Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea,” tells the true story of maverick scientist Thompson and his resourceful team who stunned the world with their discovery at the famous 1857 shipwreck S.S. Central America.
The series follows the three-decade story of adventure, deception and personal turmoil that takes Tommy from a celebrated explorer to an infamous fugitive and, ultimately, to the inside of a prison cell. With exclusive access to over 600 hours of archival footage and thousands of slides, prints, photos and newspaper clippings on the original exploration mission – many of which have never been seen before – the series is a cautionary tale of obsession and its devastating consequences.
CURSED GOLD is produced by BBC Studios for National Geographic. The series is executive produced by Alexander Leith, directed by Sam Benstead and Georgia Braham is series producer. Gary Kinder is consulting executive producer and Chris Kugelman executive produces for National Geographic.
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About National Geographic Content
Award-winning and critically acclaimed National Geographic Content, part of a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, creates and delivers riveting stories and experiences in natural history, science, adventure and exploration. The brand is the largest on social media with over three quarters of a billion followers across all major platforms that generate over one billion impressions each month. Inspiring a deeper connection to the world, National Geographic Content reaches 300 million people worldwide in 180 countries and 33 languages as a digital, social and print publisher and across the global National Geographic channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO), National Geographic Documentary Films, and direct-to-consumer platforms Disney+ and Hulu. Its diverse content includes Emmy® Award-winning franchise Genius, series Life Below Zero and Secrets of the Whales, and Oscar®- and BAFTA award-winning film Free Solo. In 2022, National Geographic Content was awarded eight News and Documentary Emmys, in addition to Life Below Zero’s Emmy win for Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Program, its sixth Emmy overall. For more information, visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or follow Nat Geo on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
About The Walt Disney Company EMEA:
The Walt Disney Company has been in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) for over 80 years and employs thousands across the region. Between Disneyland Paris and its other iconic brands, including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, 20th Century Studios and ESPN, The Walt Disney Company EMEA entertains, informs and inspires millions of consumers in more than 130 countries through the power of unparalleled storytelling. Disney+, the company’s direct-to-consumer streaming service, is currently available in 60 markets across EMEA.
How to tune in:
DSTV: Channel 181
StarSat: 220 on DTH, 220 on DTT (249 on DTT in Uganda)
