About The Deep
My family are explorers. We have been for generations.
Some argue that everything on Earth that can be discovered has already been found. While others look up to the stars, my family know that there are also stars beneath us, that there are an infinite number of things that shine brightly in the darkness below.
Most of our world is water, and lies unexplored. Unexplained. There are things lurking in the seas that long ago vanished into myth. We believe these myths are returning.
Secrets are rising out of the abyss.
My family are explorers. We have been for generations. We explore... The Deep.
The Deep follows the adventures of the Nekton family - a brilliant team of underwater explorers. With state-of-the-art technology and an unquenchable thirst for discovery, the Nektons explore the mysterious depths of the ocean, where most of our world lies unexplored and unexplained. The deep is a place where leviathans swim through sunken cities, where pirates lurk amidst floating black markets, and where a mysterious group of Guardians hide long lost secrets. Based on the graphic novels by Tom Taylor and James Brouwer, The Deep is an animated action/adventure/comedy television series.
Characters
The Nekton Family
Antaeus (Ant) Nekton
Antaeus (Ant) Nekton is the youngest child of the Nekton Family. Ant enjoys trying new things and does not get frightened easily. He is quick to go exploring by himself whenever he can, and his parent’s love of all things to do with the ocean is magnified in him. Ant loves experimenting and inventing new equipment for their underwater adventures.
Fontaine Nekton
Fontaine Nekton is the eldest child of the Nekton Family. Fontaine is a gifted navigator and is completely the opposite to her brother, Ant. She analyses situations before diving in. Amidst all the excitement and enthusiasm, sometimes her more considerate nature makes Fontaine the most grounded voice on board the Aronnax.
Kaiko Nekton
Kaiko Nekton is the mother of the Nekton Family. She is a submarine pilot, mechanic and Marine Biologist. Kaiko's fascination for everything that lives in the ocean naturally led her to the study of Marine Biology and Conservation. Kaiko is also a submarine pilot. She now pilots the Aronnax - the Nekton family’s state-of-the-art submarine. Kaiko is fiercely protective of all sea-life and will do all in her power to defend it.
William (Will) Nekton
William (Will) Nekton is the father of the Nekton Family. He is an oceanographer and former Olympic swimmer. His dream is to discover the lost city of Lemuria. Will is sensible, responsible and passionate about all things mysterious but not to the same outlandish degree as his son Ant.
Jeffrey
Jeffrey is Ant Nekton's intelligent pet Yellowback Basslet fish. Jeffrey uses various water tubes to travel throughout the Aronnax. Whenever travelling outside the Aronnax, he can join Ant in his "Jorange", a portable fish-tank.
Series Synopses
Please note: A downloadable episode package is available to accompany this learning resource. Learn more in the About this resource section.
The Deep - Series 1
The Deep follows the adventures of the Nekton family - a brilliant team of underwater explorers. With state-of-the-art technology and an unquenchable thirst for discovery, the Nektons explore the mysterious depths of the ocean, where most of our world lies unexplored and unexplained. While others look up to the stars, this family knows that an infinite number of things shine brightly in the darkness below. The deep is a place where leviathans swim through sunken cities, where pirates lurk amidst floating black markets, and where a mysterious group of Guardians hide long lost secrets.
Running time: 26 x 22 Minutes
Digital download available here.
The Deep - Series 2
More startling, undiscovered sea creatures, more pirates and more adventures await the Nektons as they continue their search for Lemuria. But the mysterious Alpheus also wants to find Lemuria and gain control of the giant Monumentials - huge creatures that cause cataclysms. If the Nektons can't beat him there, the world is in trouble. Guided by the Lemurian Ephemychron device, the Nektons follow clues that bring them closer to Lemuria's location.
Along their journey, the Nektons will encounter ancient ruins, a mysterious zone that defies description, an underwater maze and two living legends. Old friends like Nereus and Kenji Nakimura are revisited and old enemies like the Dark Orca Pirates and Devil Daniels pop up when least expected.
Running time: 13 x 22 Minutes
Digital download available here.
The Deep - Series 3
The Nekton family's amazing underwater adventures continue with new friends and familiar foes. The Dark Orca Pirates return with new tech, and Devil Daniels and Dolos are up to their old tricks. Meanwhile the Nektons encounter amazing undersea creatures like never before - big, small and huge. Friendly manatees, mysterious 'sea unicorns', giant puffer fish, a deadly 'purple tide', an enormous jellyfish, and an internet-breaking monster - all of these and more await Ant, Fontaine, Kaiko, Will and Jeffrey as they investigate the tantalising mysteries of the deep.
The stakes are higher than ever as they come face to face with more and more Monumentials - the vast, ancient, dangerous leviathans awakening all over the globe. And it all points to one place: the legendary civilization of Lemuria. When the Nektons unlock the secret and get a glimpse into the lost city, it seems their search is finally at an end but it is only just beginning.
Running time: 13 x 22 Minutes
Digital download available here.
The Deep - Series 4
A startling revelation takes the amazing Nekton family off on a whole new adventure! After finally discovering the underwater city of Lemuria, Ant and Fontaine are stunned to learn their grandparents were here before them.
After their grandparents disappeared on a mysterious mission years ago, Ant and Fontaine thought they would never see them again. But new evidence suggests that feisty Kathryn and unflappable Jacques could still be out there. A new mystery has begun, and the stakes have never been higher. Following their grandparent’s trail of clues takes Ant and Fontaine all over the world in their quest for answers.
Their harrowing quest leads the Nektons to new depths and dangerous chasms! They discover an amazing Monumential Larvacean, intensely ill from being caught in the Northwest Pacific Gyre–aka the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Can the Nektons find a way to help it recover from the plastics in its belly? They also encounter a dolphin that, due to cybernetic training by a mysterious corporation, is incapable of reintegrating into the wild–unless Fontaine can retrain it. The Nektons also have to stop three gigantic, newly hatched Monumential Turtles from endangering shipping channels!
Running time: 13 x 22 Minutes
Digital download available here.
Acknowledgements
The Deep Learning Resource was developed by Australian Children’s Television Foundation in collaboration with Australian National Maritime Museum and distributed by Australian Children’s Television Foundation.
The Deep is produced by A Stark Production for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, in association with the Australian Children’s Television Foundation and with support from Screen NSW.
