David Attenborough uses new fossil evidence to unlock nature’s most extraordinary story - the incredible ascent of the animal group that now dominates our planet: The vertebrates. The origins of the vertebrates lie in primitive fish that once swam in ancient seas but remarkable advances allowed them to make the radical move onto land and then take to the skies with the advent of flight. Brand new discoveries of fossils - ancient and living - combined with stunning CGI and cinematography enable David to chart their unexpected journey out of the water to populate all corners of the globe.

David Attenborough continues his journey in China to chart the rise of the animals that dominate our world today - the vertebrates. In this episode he reveals the fascinating story of the mammals from their humble origins as tiny nocturnal forest-dwellers to their astonishing explosion in diversity and domination following the death of the dinosaurs. New discoveries of fossils - ancient and living - combined with stunning CGI and cinematography enables David to unlock the meteoric rise of mammals that led to an astounding diversity of life and laid the foundations for the ascent of man.