Groundbreaking Three-Part Series to be Headlined by Environmental Enthusiasts Shailene Woodley, Andrew Zimmern and Kristen Kish
Arlington, VA; (August 13, 2026) – PBS today announced that the hit series HOPE IN THE WATER has begun production on season two. From four-time James Beard Award and Emmy Award winner Chef Andrew Zimmern and his production company Intuitive Content (MSNBC’s “What’s Eating America,” “Family Dinner,” “Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen,” “Feral”), and David E. Kelley, executive advisor to the series, HOPE IN THE WATER follows the people on the front lines of one of the most urgent challenges of our time: feeding a planet of over 8 billion people while supporting the freshwater systems and oceans that make life possible.
The three-episode season, coming to PBS in 2027, traces a single, powerful idea: that the future of food is being written right now, by ordinary people making extraordinary choices. The oceans and our freshwater systems are not lost. But they need us — and HOPE IN THE WATER introduces us to the people who refused to look away.
Season one of HOPE IN THE WATER was met with rave reviews. Forbes noted that it was “engaging and interesting, and most importantly inspiring,” and The Wall Street Journal called it “not just fascinating, but upbeat.” Additionally, the “Farming the Water” episode received an Outstanding Science and Technology Coverage Emmy Award nomination and the series was nominated in the Docuseries Visual Media category as part of the 2025 James Beard Media Awards.
“HOPE IN THE WATER sets out to tell hopeful, solution-driven stories about the future of our oceans and our food. It's evident that these stories resonate, and we’re excited to continue the journey with PBS—exploring even more of the people and ideas helping to shape a more sustainable future,” said Kelley.
Returning for season two is celebrated environmental enthusiast and 2026 Emmy Award-nominated actress for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, Shailene Woodley, who said, “From the start, HOPE IN THE WATER has been about elevating the people creating real solutions for our oceans. Continuing this journey with the series feels deeply meaningful, especially as the need for sustainable change grows more urgent. I’m honored to continue to build on the momentum and to keep sharing stories that inspire hope and action for our planet.”
Joining Woodley this season are Emmy and James Beard award-winning chef, television personality and two-time 2026 Emmy Award nominee Andrew Zimmern and three-time Emmy-nominated host of Top Chef, Kristen Kish, earning her third straight nomination for Outstanding Host in 2026
To view season one on PBS Passport, visit the HOPE IN THE WATER show page. Viewers are also encouraged to engage in online conversation about the series by tagging @PBS and using #HopeInTheWaterPBS on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
As part of the larger long-term impact campaign led by the nonprofit Fed by Blue, HOPE IN THE WATER seeks to inspire action around sustainable blue foods. The mission of Fed by Blue is to provide and inspire visionaries, thought leaders, ocean lovers, activists, early adopters, foodies, and consumers with the knowledge and materials to help protect and participate in a responsible blue food system.
Funding for the second season of HOPE IN THE WATER was provided by the Builders Vision, LLC and the Walton Family Foundation.
The docuseries is produced by Intuitive Content with Patrick Weiland as executive producers. David E. Kelley serves as executive advisor with Michele Wallin as showrunner and Patrick McMahill as director. Blue foods experts Jennifer Bushman and Jill Kauffman Johnson serve as impact producers. Diana El-Osta serves as executive-in-charge for PBS.
About Intuitive Content
Founded by chef Andrew Zimmern and based in Minneapolis, Intuitive Content develops and produces dynamic original television series and broadcast specials while partnering with some of the world's biggest companies to create brand-driven series and web content. The company’s expertise and focus are creating entertainment around captivating human narrative, food, lifestyle and travel. Intuitive Content is dedicated to illuminating cultures around the globe with integrity and an exceptional production value. The company’s series include “Family Dinner” (Magnolia Network/discovery+), “ZoëBakes” (Magnolia Network/discovery+), “Feral” (Outdoor Channel), “Wild Game Kitchen” (Outdoor Channel), “What’s Eating America” (MSNBC), “Crash Test World” (Discovery), “The Zimmern List” (Travel Channel) “How to Survive a Murder” (Reelz), “Appetite for Life” (Toyota), and more.
About Fed by Blue
Fed by Blue aims to reimagine and transform our blue food system - which include foods from our waterways like fish, shellfish, and sea vegetables (like seaweed) - through better transparency, empowering people to make responsible choices, improving education, and supporting better policies and practices. We see the imperative to protect and restore our ocean and water resources, responsibly produce seafood, and do so in an equitable way for all. Fed by Blue is working to amplify efforts that are bringing new pathways, new dialogue, new perceptions, and new HOPE. In the face of what can seem like an insurmountable crisis, we have the power to restore a bountiful resource that can nourish us in unimaginable ways.
About PBS
PBS, with more than 330 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 36 million adults on linear primetime television, 16 million users on PBS-owned streaming platforms, 56 million viewers on YouTube, and 10 million followers on social media, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature, and public affairs and to take front-row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’s broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. As the number one educational media brand, PBS KIDS helps children 2-8 build critical skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality content on TV — including a PBS KIDS channel — and streaming free on pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Video app, games on the PBS KIDS Games app, and in communities across America. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS LearningMedia for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. More information about PBS is available at PBS.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, Facebook, Instagram, or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Communications on X.