

Follow Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s search for the people, ideas, traditions, and attitudes – the solutions – which will transform fear of the future into hope, climate angst…
Documentary • Series • 2024 • 2 seasons
Starring: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

S1 E1 - Dusk or Dawn
In this episode, Nikolaj discovers the difference is hope, a hope he finds in inspiring people, projects and ideas all over the world.
Feb 8, 2024 • 48m

S1 E2 - Shelter
Shelter is one of the most essential human needs. Nikolaj finds hope from architects re-imagining how we live for a sustainable future.
Feb 15, 2024 • 48m

S1 E3 - Regenerate
Nature has an amazing power to regenerate. How can we harness its innate ability to heal to solve the problems we face?
Feb 22, 2024 • 48m

S1 E4 - Nourish
Nikolaj’s journey in this episode focuses on ways to rethink how we grow and cook the food that sustains us.
Feb 29, 2024 • 48m

S1 E5 - Move
Nikolaj meets some engineers, mechanics and entrepreneurs who may have solutions on how to move without hitting an environmental dead end.
Mar 7, 2024 • 48m

S1 E6 - Transform
Nikolaj’s journey toward hope continues as he searches for innovators transforming and revitalizing our world.
Mar 14, 2024 • 48m

S1 E7 - Protect
How can we be optimistic in 2025? As Nikolaj Coster-Waldau begins season two, we’re reminded of the delicate balance between human progress and protecting our planet. (Source: Bloomberg)
Oct 22, 2025 • 48m

S1 E8 - Rethink
Waste is a significant contributor to global warming, but turning it into a resource can help curb emissions and shrink humanity’s environmental footprint. (Source: Bloomberg)
Oct 29, 2025 • 48m

S1 E9 - Invent
From transforming concrete into a carbon sink to mining nickel from genetically enhanced plants, we meet the bold inventors preserving and adapting to nature’s offerings to help humanity thrive.
Nov 5, 2025 • 48m

S1 E10 - Energize
Meeting humanity’s insatiable demand for energy while still curbing greenhouse emissions will require creative solutions both big and small.
Nov 6, 2025 • 48m

S1 E11 - Reclaim
We travel the world to see how tradition, technology and human ingenuity can help reclaim the planet’s precious water supply.
Nov 19, 2025 • 48m

S1 E12 - Imagine
As we look toward the future and seek to overcome our world’s climate challenges, people with imagination are showing the way
Nov 20, 2025 • 48m
An Optimist's Guide to the Planet
Follow Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s search for the people, ideas, traditions, and attitudes – the solutions – which will transform fear of the future into hope, climate angst into optimism and human disconnection into engagement. In each of the six episodes, Nikolaj and his affable team criss-cross the globe exploring humanity, witnessing its power for good and learning about some of the remarkable solutions (both old and new) that inspire his optimism for the future.
Documentary • TV Series • 2024