Hailed by critics and audiences alike and referred to as "the next evolution in Alaska programming," THE LAST ALASKANS returns for a second season with eight new episodes on Discovery Channel tonight, April 12 at 10 PM ET/PT, immediately following an all-new episode of DEADLIEST CATCH at 9 PM ET/PT.
THE LAST ALASKANS documents the lives of some of the most isolated people in America - the last of their kind - as they struggle to survive in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and its surrounding wildness, a protected area home to thousands of native animals and pristine terrain roughly the size of South Carolina. In 1980, the US government banned new human occupation in the refuge and currently, only a handful of families spread across seven permitted cabins remain. In fewer than 100 years, all permits will reach expiration, and there will be no human presence left.
THE LAST ALASKANS showcases authentic, intimate stories and cinematic visuals that encompass a way of life in Alaska's untouched wilderness located hundreds of miles from roads, civilization and society. This season,
THE LAST ALASKANS are joined by extended family members, with some members traveling to the refuge by boat for the first time in 20 years. Bob Harte and his daughter, Talicia, embark on a dangerous river journey from Fairbanks to the cabin where she was raised decades ago. Heimo Korth breaks ground on a new cabin with wife Edna, his daughters and grandchildren. The Lewis family journey back to their old homestead, navigating upriver through Alaska's interior on a house boat constructed over the past decade by patriarch Ray. Tyler and Ashley Selden continue to gain experience in the wilderness and contemplate adding a new member to their family. And 19-year-old Charlie Jagow, who was born in the refuge and remains one of the youngest permit-holders there, returns to build his first cabin.
In the April 12 premiere episode titled "Home Again," Alaska's fleeting summer fades and the countdown to the winter trapping season begins. Heimo constructs a temporary campsite for his family while he starts building a brand new cabin to replace their old one, now ruined by mold from the rising waters of a nearby river. Tyler and Ashley settle into their backcountry home and immediately begin to search for enough meat to last them the entire season. Ray Lewis leads his wife and three daughters to their original homestead, and experience dangerous setbacks that risk the life of his children. In the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, true freedom only grows from hard work, and
THE LAST ALASKANS waste no time getting down to business.
THE LAST ALASKANS is produced for
Discovery Channel by Half Yard Productions. Sean Gallagher, Abby Greensfelder, and John Jones are the executive producers for Half Yard Productions. For Discovery Channel, Joe Schneier is the executive producer, and Lisbeth Lozano is the coordinating producer. For
ANIMAL Planet, Keith Hoffman is the executive producer, and Sarah Russell is the associate producer. The series was developed by
ANIMAL Planet's Kurt Tondorf. To learn more, go to www.discovery.com, on Facebook at Facebook.com/discovery and on Twitter @Discovery.
About
Discovery Channel Discovery Channel is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which is distributed to 100.8 million U.S. homes, can be seen in 224 countries and territories, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including,
Science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information, please visit www.discovery.com.
About Discovery Communications Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the leader in global entertainment reaching 3 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 220 countries and territories. Discovery satisfies curiosity, entertains and inspires viewers with high-quality content through global brands, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Investigation Discovery,
ANIMAL Planet,
Science and Turbo/Velocity, as well as U.S. joint venture network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, and through the Discovery Digital Networks portfolio, including Seeker and SourceFed. Discovery owns Eurosport, the leading pan-regional sports entertainment destination across Europe and Asia-Pacific. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, through Discovery Education. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.
Image courtesy of Discovery
