David Blaine's new series, Do Not Attempt, released a first-look video previewing its stunts, which includes Blaine setting himself on fire before jumping off a river bridge.
We've known about the series for a while. Still, National Geographic kept details relatively secret until the recent Disney D23 event, where fans were given an early look at the documentary. The series follows David Blaine as he explores and pursues "real magic" around the world.
It's not an entirely new concept. In 2015, New York magician Dan White released White Magic on the Travel Channel. In it, White sought out shamans, healers, and mystics while performing illusions that blurred the line between magic and traditional beliefs.
Elsewhere, Derren Brown's Investigates series of specials saw him meet people who claimed to have supernatural abilities, like faith healers and ghost hunters.
Penn and Teller also aired a travel-based Magic and Mystery Tour, in which they traveled to China, Egypt, and India to explore magical traditions.
Blaine's format leans much more toward stunts and less toward magic.
Ron Howard produces the series, which has National Geographic's usual adventurous feel. From the first-look video, you'd be forgiven for thinking of this as a new series of Chris Hemsworth's Limitless series on Disney+, also from National Geographic, but with stunts instead of tests of endurance and resilience.
In David Blaine's 2016 special Beyond Magic, Blaine spends three years tracking down a man named Winston in Africa who teaches Blaine to waterspout, a skill Winston taught himself in order to store and access clean water. Eight years on, the magician seems to be doubling down on this type of adventure.
