With 70% of oceanic sharks lost in the last 50 years, Deadly Mission Shark set out to do more than entertain — it aimed to inspire a new generation of shark advocates. Produced by BBC Studios Natural History Unit for CBBC and fronted by Steve Backshall, this ambitious 10-part series follows young people from the UK and the Bahamas as they train, dive and campaign to protect the world’s sharks.
Holey & Moley were brought on as creative partners to shape the series’ visual identity from the ground up. We developed the branding, titles sequence, motion graphics system, composite locators, lower thirds and visual effects — creating a cohesive design language that felt bold, contemporary and unmistakably “Deadly”.
Our approach was to balance cinematic adventure with clarity and accessibility. We crafted a dynamic graphic ecosystem inspired by ocean movement — fluid transitions, kinetic typography and textural illustration that echoed fins, currents and depth. The titles sequence establishes urgency and scale, while the on-screen graphics simplify complex conservation messages without diluting their impact. Every element works hard: to energise young audiences, to support storytelling, and to position sharks as creatures worth protecting rather than fearing.
As a sister series to the iconic Deadly 60, the show builds on a trusted brand while evolving it. The result is a landmark factual format that shifts from observing wildlife to empowering action.
We’re proud to have helped define a visual identity that supports both adventure and advocacy — and we’re always ready to dive into the next bold, purpose-driven story.
Looking for a creative partner who can shape bold, story-led visual identities? Discover how we work as a leading motion graphics company, crafting distinctive branding, explainers, titles and visual worlds for broadcast, streaming and beyond.
