Netflix · Ended

Human Playground

Sports · 2022

Last aired: S1 E6, Big Business · 2022-09-30

Narrated by Idris Elba, this docuseries explores the origins and evolution of play across the globe, from age-old rituals to billion-dollar businesses.

Cast

Idris Elba Narrator

Season 1

E1 Breaking the Pain Barrier 2022-09-30 · 42 min No pain, no gain: A marathon in the desert, bullfighting, a brutal bicycle race and ice swimming push people to the brink, mentally and physically.

E2 An Ancient Ritual 2022-09-30 · 36 min From a ritual war game to a nomadic hunting tradition, tests of bravery, skill and strength are fueled by the needs for food, survival and glory.

E3 Rites of Passage 2022-09-30 · 41 min Young men in Madagascar grapple with a zebu to enter adulthood as boys elsewhere try to master Kung Fu, sumo wrestling and reindeer racing.

E4 In Pursuit of Perfection 2022-09-30 · 42 min A surfer sets out to ride a massive wave. A diver attempts a deadly plunge. A female racer in Palestine and a wheelchair bodybuilder create spectacles.

E5 God's Playground 2022-09-30 · 41 min From mountaineering in the face of death to a game for a fruitful harvest, sports are spiritual experiences for those seeking signs from a higher power.

E6 Big Business 2022-09-30 · 41 min A popular combat sport in Senegal provides a payday for many, while technology gives rise to games that rake in millions for players and gamblers alike.

TV listings and show data from TVmaze.