Wild At Heart is back

ITV

ITV 1

Love is in the air at Leopard’s Den as Stephen Tompkinson, Dawn Steele and Hayley Mills return to South Africa for the fifth series of Wild at Heart.

The popular ITV series, which launched in January 2006, and averaged nearly eight million viewers during series four earlier this year, has been recommissioned for a further ten episodes.

Back among the lions, giraffes and elephants, love is continuing to blossom for Danny Trevanion (Tompkinson) and fellow vet Alice Collins (Steele – Sea of Souls, Monarch of the Glen) but will Danny have the courage to commit to her? Throughout the series the pair will face many challenges, not least the pressure of working together, and Alice must make some difficult decisions about her future at Leopard’s Den.

After a turbulent courtship, everyone’s favourite gruff Afrikaner, Anders Du Plessis (Deon Stewardson), is set to marry his beloved Caroline (Hayley Mills).  Wedding plans are finalised but could someone from Caroline’s past threaten their happiness?

Alice’s estranged brother Rowan (Cal Macaninch – Holby Blue, Sorted), has installed himself at Mara making the rivalry between the two reserves more intense than ever.  Alice is desperate to repair the relationship with her brother, but how far can Rowan be trusted? Is his attraction to business partner, Vanessa (Mary-Anne Barlow), genuine or does he simply want to get his hands on Mara?

Also this series Evan (Luke Ward-Wilkinson) turns 16 and faces a tough choice - should he respect his late mother’s wishes or risk everything to follow his dreams?

With rampaging rhinos, baby giraffes and lovelorn elephants all providing unique challenges for the Leopard’s Den family, this series of Wild at Heart promises to be the most exciting yet.

Wild at Heart films in South Africa from July. It is produced by Nick Goding and the series producer is Serena Bowman.  It is directed by Nick Laughland and Paul Harrison and written by creator Ashley Pharoah and Jack Williams. The executive producers are Ashley Pharoah, Charlie Pattinson and George Faber.  Stephen Tompkinson is co-executive producer.  It is a Company Pictures production for ITV.