The Freshwater World Like You’ve Never Seen It Before – Coming Soon
Beneath the surface of our lakes and rivers lies a vast, unseen world that supports the water, wildlife and communities we depend on. Filmmakers and underwater explorers Yvonne Drebert and Zach Melnick are out to reveal it in Hidden Below: The Great Lakes, a major new documentary project for TVO, supported by The Nature Conservancy of Canada and other amazing partners. Using next generation underwater drones, they’ll be capturing vivid imagery in even the deepest realms of the world’s largest freshwater ecosystem, more than 400 meters below the surface.
The team’s cameras will spend hundreds of days capturing a hidden world of survival and spectacle — rare deepwater sculpin guarding their nests from invaders, unique lake trout who evolved oversized fins to ride currents among submerged mountains, flocks of ducks plunging onto freshwater reefs for fish eggs, and vast schools of gizzard shad fleeing lethal cold in numbers rivalling the greatest wildlife migrations on Earth.
“Freshwater life is among the most threatened on Earth,” says Yvonne Drebert. “Yet our TV screens are filled with coral reefs and ocean giants, while the vibrant life of freshwater ecosystems remains largely unseen. Hidden Below is about changing that.”
Join The Expedition LIVE
Hidden Below: The Great Lakes will premiere in 2028, but you don’t have to wait. With Hidden Below: LIVE, you can join the team through exciting livestream dives to some of the lake’s most amazing places. Each livestream combines cinema-grade underwater robotics with real-time commentary from expert guests. Explore alongside Yvonne and Zach and have your questions about the mysteries of the deep answered in real time. Check out the schedule and start exploring with us today!
A Major Breakthrough: Coaster Brook Trout Spawning
With the support of Parks Canada, the Hidden Below team captured stunning first-ever footage of coaster brook trout spawning in the outer islands of the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area. Coaster brook trout, which live only in Lake Superior, are the largest brook trout in the world and an important symbol of freshwater health. This new-to-science discovery, which builds upon Indigenous knowledge and years of scientific efforts, will have a lasting impact on the conservation of this important species, which until recently were in sharp decline due to overfishing and habitat loss.
“Parks Canada is pleased to partner with Inspired Planet’s work on Hidden Below. This exciting collaboration has deepened our understanding of Coaster Brook Trout and the freshwater ecosystems we are entrusted to protect. This will strengthen Parks Canada’s evidence-based approach to conservation of Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area.” – The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature
Hidden Below is already making a difference – and we’re just getting started! Watch a snippet of this incredible scene!
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Our Partners In Freshwater Life Support
Hidden Below is being created in collaboration with a network of scientists, conservation organizations and community partners across the Great Lakes region.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada: Lead Impact Partner. “Healthy freshwater systems support our communities, our economy and the wildlife we depend on — yet much of this world remains out of sight. Hidden Below brings these critical ecosystems into view, helping people better understand both their importance and what’s at stake. The Nature Conservancy of Canada is proud to support this work and to collaborate with partners to advance lasting conservation across the Great Lakes and beyond.” – Aaron Bilyea, Chief Marketing Officer, Nature Conservancy of Canada
Canadian Freshwater Initiative: Community Outreach Partner. The initiative is made up of seven leading conservation organizations and supported by a landmark $20 million legacy donation from John McCutcheon. “Across Canada, our waters are under growing pressure, from drying wetlands to declining groundwater and the impacts of development and climate change. Hidden Below will raise awareness of the importance of freshwater ecosystems and inspire Canadians to protect and restore them.” – John McCutcheon
TVO: Canadian Broadcast Partner. “TVO has a long history of connecting audiences to the rich culture and landscapes of Ontario, and the Great Lakes stand among the world’s most extraordinary natural wonders. We’re proud to be the commissioning broadcaster of Hidden Below: The Great Lakes, a project that will immerse viewers in the beauty of one of Ontario’s most vital ecosystems while revealing aspects of it never seen before.” – Alexandra Roberts, Commissioning Editor of TVO Docs
Georgian Bay Forever: Community Outreach Partner. Georgian Bay Forever conserves, protects, and restores the aquatic ecosystem of all Georgian Bay through science‑based research, public education, and community action. “Hidden Below opens a rare window into the underwater life that sustains our Great Lakes, and we’re proud to support a project that deepens public understanding and inspires the next generation to care for these fragile ecosystems. We’re excited to work with Zach and Yvonne, whose storytelling turns this journey of discovery into something truly wondrous.” – David Sweetnam, Executive Director.
The Dragonfly Fund: Community Outreach Partner. The Dragonfly Fund is the charitable branch of Dragonfly Ventures, a single family office committed to the wellbeing of people and the earth. “As a small family office investing in the long term health of people with deep connections to our planet, The Dragonfly Fund is beyond excited and honoured to be part of this inspiring documentary. With our own personal deep roots connecting us to Georgian Bay and the Ojibway Peoples who have lived here since time immemorial, we are privileged to support this rare visual journey into the depths of the incredibly unique and life sustaining waters of the Great Lakes.” – Annabelle White and Wendy Cooper, Co-CEOs
The Great Lakes Fishery Commission: Scientific Partner. “Understanding the ecology of aquatic animals below the surface has been a black box for scientists. New technologies, such as acoustic telemetry coupled with underwater video, provide scientists an unprecedented understanding of fish behaviour and interactions with their predators, prey, and habitats.” – Andrew Muir, Science Director, Great Lakes Fishery Commission
Freshwater Conservation Canada: Community Outreach Partner. Freshwater Conservation Canada is committed to conserving, protecting, and restoring Canada’s freshwater ecosystems and their coldwater resources for current and future generations. “Healthy freshwater ecosystems support wildlife, communities, and future generations, yet so much of this world remains unseen. Hidden Below offers an opportunity to highlight the importance of protecting what lies beneath the reflective surface.” – Silvia D’Amelio, CEO
Parks Canada: Community Outreach Partner. “Parks Canada is pleased to partner with Inspired Planet’s work on Hidden Below. This exciting collaboration has deepened our understanding of Coaster Brook Trout and the freshwater ecosystems we are entrusted to protect. This will strengthen Parks Canada’s evidence-based approach to conservation of Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area.” – The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature.
Boxfish Robotics: Technology Partner. Boxfish Robotics is a New Zealand based underwater robotics manufacturing company that designs autonomous and remotely operated systems with advanced imaging. For Hidden Below, the company is developing a dedicated underwater robotic platform and new visual capabilities designed to offer audiences a more immersive and dimensional experience of life beneath the surface. “Hidden Below reflects exactly why Boxfish underwater robots are perfectly positioned to support science and enable stories that would otherwise remain unseen. Working with Inspired Planet Productions shows the impact of aligning technological innovation with research and filmmaking. Together, we are developing a new visual approach that will allow audiences to observe underwater ecosystems with an enhanced sense of depth and presence, revealing the hidden complexity of life below the surface.” – Craig Anderson, co-founder of Boxfish.
Canadian Geographic: Education Partner. Canadian Geographic and its charitable home, the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, were founded in 1929 with a clear mission: to “make Canada better known to Canadians and to the world.” “Canadian Geographic is proud to collaborate with Inspired Planet Productions to bring Hidden Below to classrooms in every province and territory. Freshwater sustains all life on planet earth and exploring the waters of the Great Lakes with Yvonne and Zach will be exciting and thought-provoking for learners of all ages.” – Meredith Brown, Director of Water and Land Relations, Canadian Geographic
Bruce Power: Education & Outreach Sponsor. Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County, Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory, Ontario. Bruce Power has worked hard to build strong roots in Ontario and is committed to protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which we live. “Bruce Power is pleased to support Hidden Below in unlocking a rarely seen underwater world in Lake Huron and around the Great Lakes. The enhanced understanding of life below the water’s surface will benefit all residents and users of these culturally significant waters.” – Cherie-Lee Fietsch, Environment Regulatory & Research Manager