David Blaine's New Show Is Wild

There has been a surge of excitement for magicians and magic fans as the official trailer for David Blaine's new series was released.

Yes, you read that right—the wait is almost over. One of the most famous magicians on Earth is returning, not just with a TV special but with an entire series. And, as is often the case with Blaine, it's not just about magic.

But before we dive in, let’s rewind for a moment. Some of you might have missed the initial announcement about Blaine’s new series on Disney+. Most of you are likely familiar with his work, and some of you may have even been inspired to pursue magic because of him.

For those who need a refresher, David Blaine is arguably the most influential TV magician of the last twenty-five years. He popularized street magic with his raw, in-your-face style, and his casual, stoic demeanor shifted the spotlight from the magician to the spectators’ reactions.

Over his career, he has appeared in fifteen TV specials, toured the world multiple times, and, since 2022, has held his own residency in Las Vegas. His performances for celebrities like Harrison Ford, Johnny Depp, and Margot Robbie have racked up millions of views online.

But Blaine has always been more than just a magician. He is also famous for pushing the limits of human endurance, with physical stunts often serving as the centerpiece of his specials.

From starvation and prolonged apnea to catching a bullet in his mouth and being buried alive, his feats have captivated audiences worldwide. His Las Vegas shows have featured several of these stunts, sometimes resulting in real injuries.

One of the most extreme incidents occurred when he dislocated his shoulder after jumping from a nine-story platform onto a stack of cardboard boxes. Blaine called on any doctors in the audience to help pop his shoulder back in place—and then continued performing.

This is the guy we're talking about, so it’s no surprise that his next project isn’t focused on traditional magic—at least, not in the sense of card tricks and astonished gasps.

David Blaine: Do Not Attempt follows the magician as he travels the world, meeting people with extraordinary skills and attempting to learn and replicate their feats.

Produced by National Geographic, the series premieres on Disney+ and Hulu on March 23rd. Initial details were revealed in Fall 2024 at the Disney D23 event, and on February 18th, National Geographic released the official trailer.

The trailer is a thrilling glimpse into the series. We see Blaine setting himself on fire before jumping off a bridge, covering his entire body with bees, smashing a glass bottle on his head, pushing a knife up his nose, and handling terrifying snakes.

In the trailer, Blaine states:

"As a magician, I've always been inspired by things that seem so impossible you'd assume they're tricks, but they're actually real."

These are the classic Blaine ingredients for a great show. One YouTube commenter even described the series as "David Blaine’s bucket list," for all of us to watch along.

While details on the show remain limited, some aspects already stand out.

Most notably, this is Blaine’s first time starring in a series rather than a standalone special. This shift suggests a more layered narrative designed to keep viewers engaged across multiple episodes.

The involvement of National Geographic also hints at a documentary-style approach, blending adventure, discovery, and extreme challenges through Blaine’s perspective.

A key challenge will be maintaining the thrill factor. Stunts lose their impact if the audience perceives the risk as exaggerated or inauthentic. However, Blaine’s reputation for genuine endurance challenges should work in his favor.

Though this isn’t the first show featuring a magician traveling the world to explore unusual and extreme feats, few are better suited for the role than Blaine. His history of real, high-stakes challenges lends credibility to the concept.

On a broader level, this show highlights how magic continues to evolve in mainstream entertainment.

While Blaine may still weave in some signature magic while connecting with people, the trailer contains no traditional tricks, reinforcing that the series is not about magic in the conventional sense.

This follows a broader trend in televised magic. British mentalist Derren Brown has produced several specials where individual tricks play a secondary or even nonexistent role. Justin Willman’s latest Netflix special leaned more toward pranks than magic.

The industry continues to experiment with how magic is framed and presented to wider audiences: Blaine’s shift away from traditional magic tricks in this series may speak to a broader movement where magic is integrated into storytelling rather than being the primary focus.

We can also take this as a reminder of the importance of character and attitude in a performer. This goes beyond tricks, and the fact that they are now producing an entire series on Blaine's love for stunts is a testament to his persistence in making this a defining trait of his career.

When David Blaine: Street Magic aired in 1997, it revolutionized televised magic, influencing countless performers and shaping the aesthetic of modern magicians and the magic industry as a whole.

While Do Not Attempt seems uniquely tailored to Blaine’s personal style rather than introducing a universally adaptable format, it will be intriguing to see how the show portrays magic-like moments. We may even get a glimpse into the evolving future of magic on screen.

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