The Amazon rainforest doesn’t allow for hesitation. In Pole to Pole With Will Smith, Will Smith is joined by Bryan Fry, a National Geographic Explorer whose work puts him face-to-face with some of the most dangerous creatures on Earth. Across two harrowing episodes, the series explores fear, survival, and the science hidden within the rainforest’s most lethal inhabitants.
About the Interview
A venomologist and longtime National Geographic Explorer, Bryan Fry works directly alongside Will Smith during the Amazon leg of Pole to Pole. In this interview, Fry reflects on descending hundreds of feet into cave systems, extracting venom from giant tarantulas, and tracking massive green anacondas with indigenous Waorani guides.
The conversation also explores how venom research may unlock future medical breakthroughs, while underscoring how fragile and interconnected these ecosystems truly are.
Fear as a Survival Tool
Unlike the South Pole, the Amazon’s danger is hidden. Fry explains that fear isn’t something to suppress in the rainforest — it’s something to respect. Every sound, movement, and shadow can signal a threat, and awareness is often the only defense.
“The Amazon episodes turn fear into a teacher — revealing how survival depends on understanding nature rather than trying to dominate it.”
That philosophy shapes Fry’s approach, transforming encounters with deadly animals into moments of education rather than spectacle.
Inside the World of Venom
One of the most striking elements of Fry’s work is how closely danger and discovery coexist. Extracting venom from spiders and snakes requires precision, patience, and absolute focus. Fry discusses how even the smallest misstep can be catastrophic — yet the rewards of success could reshape modern medicine.
Venom, he explains, holds untapped potential for pain management, blood disorders, and neurological research, making each risky encounter part of a much larger scientific mission.
Exploring with Purpose
Throughout the episodes, Fry and Smith are guided by indigenous Waorani trackers whose deep understanding of the rainforest proves essential. Fry emphasizes that survival in the Amazon is collective — rooted in respect for local knowledge passed down over generations.
The experience reframes exploration not as conquest, but as collaboration.
About the Amazon Episodes
“The Amazon: Deadly Creatures”
Premieres January 13 at 10/9c on National Geographic
“The Amazon: Dark Waters”
Premieres January 20 at 9/8c on National Geographic
Both episodes stream on Disney+ and Hulu.
Together, they document Will Smith’s journey into the heart of the Amazon with Bryan Fry, blending fear, science, and environmental awareness into some of the series’ most intense chapters.
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