After the extinction of the Dinosaurs, small mammals were left as the only survivors. This BBC series covers the amazing evolution of incredible creatures that took place, which inevitably, have become all of the animals, the we know today. This series is narrated by Kenneth Branagh, from the people who brought us Walking with Dinosaurs.

Episode 1 - New Dawn : Covers the aftermath of what was left after asteroid hit and destroyed the dinosaurs. The mammals that exist are either feather or fur covered. But birds are the predators on the earth now and the mammals are somewhat smaller in comparison.

Episode 2 - Whale Killer : The world is hot and dry. Animals have become larger and the birds are no longer as fierce as they were. Mammals have have become more deadly, and this includes sea creatures and the biggest of the all, is the ascendant of the whale. Environmental changes to the earth are affecting all the animals and food supplies are dwindling on land and sea.

Episode 3 - Land of Giants : Earth’s climate changes made many of the previous episode animals disappear. The are new mammals, they are bigger and uglier and this different time brings about a new animal kingdom, this also means, ‘Survival of the meanest’.

Episode 4 - Next of Kin : The early ancestors of man are under the spotlight. Heading to Ethiopia, 3.2 million years ago, we discover these ape-like creatures that have learnt to walk upright and feel emotions and have complex social structures. These could be seen as the missing link. Also, many animals are starting to look how we recognise them now.

Episode 5 - Saber Tooth : Terror birds rule the domain of what is now South America, but there is a predator here that will terrify, even the aptly named Terror Birds. This episode concentrates on this top predator Saber Tooth.

Episode 6 - Mammoth Journey : It is now only 30,000 years ago, in the Ice Age. This episode concentrates on the Woolly Mammoth and how these animals survived during this very cold period of earth’s history. Also, how one of earth’s greatest predators, humans, came to be; using strategy instead of strength and speed to survive.

Watch It If You Enjoyed : Walking with Dinosaurs

Verdict : Dazzling

THE EXTRAS

* Featurette (50 mins) : Triumph of the Beasts - The making of Walking with Beasts. Shows how the series was made and the inspiration around the incredible visuals. Much lie Walking with Dinosaurs, it demonstrates how many of the effects were filmed, by human controlled puppets and CGI. Also, we get an insight on how paleantologists discovered what the creatures looked like by studying the fossils and remains. Truly a fascinatng documentary.

* The Beasts Within (50 mins) : A featurette mainly focussed on the early stages of man and the evolution of what we are today, based on the primates of long ago.

* Production Interviews : Includes photo gallery, storyboard comparisons, fact files and interviews with various production staff about the making of Walking with Beasts.