LONDON — Producers of David Attenborough’s recent documentary on London’s wildlife considered featuring the city’s estimated 20 million rats to shift public perceptions. Director Joe Loncraine told a Q&A audience partnered with Investec that rats deserved a spotlight like the foxes and Tube-riding pigeons that made the cut.

“I actually would have quite liked to have put rats in,” Loncraine said. “They’re really smart animals.” The 58-minute film, Wild London, highlights urban foxes, birds of prey, hedgehogs, fallow deer, bats and mice thriving amid the bustle. Rats, however, joined other ideas on the cutting-room floor due to space constraints.

Seahorses in the Thames nearly appeared too. Loncraine noted sightings near the Globe Theatre on the Southbank. “The water’s not really clear enough,” he said, “but even if we had tanks to show their behaviour—they dance, males get pregnant and give birth—that would have been quite amazing.”

Sir David Attenborough oversaw selections, prioritizing animals with compelling story arcs. A standout scene captures a baby fox hiding in shrubbery from off-lead dogs in a park. Executive producer Gaby Bastyra of Passion Planet said Attenborough seeks fresh angles after seven decades in broadcasting. London’s wild side fit the bill.

“He’s incredibly easy to work with,” Loncraine added. The director, who helmed Attenborough projects like The Mating Game, Life That Glows and Natural World episodes, praised the 99-year-old’s energy. “I’ve worked with presenters in their 30s who are far more difficult. I think if you imagine what most 80-year-olds are like, he’s a bit like that, but he’s 100.”

Filming maximized Attenborough’s time. Past U.S. shoots lost half the schedule to travel, Loncraine said. Here, every day he appeared on camera proved efficient. The non-native constrictor snakes in central London already grabbed attention in the film.

Londoners often dread rats invading kitchens or floorboards. Yet Loncraine saw potential for rebranding, much like the documentary’s sympathetic portrayal of urban foxes. Bastyra emphasized Attenborough’s aversion to rehashing old ground. New discoveries in his own backyard drew him to the project.

Wild London aired recently, showcasing nature’s resilience in one of the world’s densest cities. Decisions on inclusions balanced narrative punch against runtime limits. Attenborough’s involvement ensured tight storytelling, with each creature’s tale advancing the film’s message on urban biodiversity.