Interview: ‘Life Below Zero’ Executive Producer Joe Litzinger on the Legacy of the Nat Geo Series

Few contemporary TV shows can boast 20+ seasons, but executive producer Joe Litzinger is proud of all 23 seasons of his Nat Geo reality series Life Below Zero. Since 2013, Life Below Zero has been tracking the daily lives of subsistence hunters who make their living in remote areas of the Alaskan wilderness.

“Alaska is the heartbeat and protagonist of Life Below Zero,” says Litzinger. “The landscape is not just a setting – it’s a living, breathing force that shapes every story.”

Alongside his producing partner Ally Siegel, Litzinger has produced over 1000 hours of nonfiction television. Of course, the responsibilities of a showrunner on a series like Life Below Zero extend well beyond the careful and expressive storytelling. Filming in such dramatically cold climates alongside often dangerous forms of wildlife, safety often emerged as the series’ most immediate priority.

“Every creative decision had to honor the environment first,” says Litzinger. “It was never about conquering nature – it was about coexisting with it.”

The unbelievable nature of Life Below Zero is just one of the many reasons the series has endured for so long, winning several Emmys along the way. The show’s cinematography has become a particular awards draw, nabbing six Emmys for Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Program over the last seven cycles.

“I have been lucky to work with an incredibly talented team of cinematographers who understood the assignment,” says Litzinger. “They treated this like a feature film, even when we were in minus-40-degree temperatures with frozen batteries and grizzly bears nearby and mostly had to carry minimum gear on their backs while not interfering with the cast day to day.”

Check out our full interview with Litzinger below, as he dives deeper into some of his favorite moments and characters from the series, while also reflecting on the show’s legacy as its 23 seasons come to a close.

After 23 historic seasons, National Geographic’s Life Below Zero is coming to an end. As showrunner, can you discuss the show’s legacy as a fan-favorite reality series?

After more than a decade on the air, what I hope Life Below Zero leaves behind is a legacy of authenticity. I believe the show redefined what a reality series could be and was deeply human, visually stunning, and focused on characters who chose a radically different way of life. The audiences didn’t just watch the show, they connected with it in a way that I think surprised a lot of people (including myself). The fact that it became the most-watched series on Nat Geo and has been nominated for 19 Emmys is something I will always be proud of. I hope it proved that real stories, told with care and respect, can resonate on a massive scale.

This show is unique in that you’re working with and around the wildlife who live in these areas. What role does the show’s landscape play in your creative process, and how does it differ from other programs in the subgenre?

Alaska is the heartbeat and protagonist of Life Below Zero. The landscape is not just a setting – it’s a living, breathing force that shapes every story. As a showrunner, I was constantly balancing the human arc with the uncontrollable elements of nature as well as keeping everyone safe. You cannot manufacture drama when the weather, the wildlife, and the isolation are all very real. It humbles you as a storyteller trying to plan. Every creative decision had to honor the environment first and it was never about conquering nature – it was about coexisting with it.

You have produced over 1,000 hours of nonfiction television. What continues to draw you to this space and set it apart creatively?

I love nonfiction because it reflects who we are and the human condition. It captures how we live, what we fear, and what we hope for. There is something powerful about real moments that can be more emotional or dramatic than anything you could script. Working in nonfiction forces you to think fast on your feet, adjust, and always be present to what’s happening – constantly adapting, shaping the story in real time. True stories, told in the moment is where I do my best work and where I feel most connected to storytelling as a craft.

You’ve also spent time mentoring young documentary filmmakers at SXSW. Why is mentoring rising talent important to you?

There is a quote I have hanging in my house: “Be who you needed when you were younger.” That really sums it up for me. Early in my career, I had mentors who believed in me, challenged me, and helped me find my voice. That kind of support can change everything. Mentoring at SXSW and through the Television Academy, where I currently serve as Co-Governor for the Reality TV Peer Group, has been one of the most meaningful parts of my career. These young filmmakers bring vision, energy, and originality and are not bound by old models. I learn from them as much as I hope they learn from me. It’s not just about giving back; it keeps me inspired and grounded in where the industry is going next so hopefully I don’t get left behind.

Do you have any personal favorite characters or moments across Life Below Zero’s 23 seasons?

There are so many unforgettable cast members. Sue Aikens has always been a standout of course – tough, funny, vulnerable, and incredibly sharp. Jessie Holmes brought relentless drive and persistence and even recently won the Iditarod after years and years of trying! The Hailstones shared their way of life with such generosity and grace, teaching us about tradition, survival, and family. But my favorite moments were always with the crew. The people behind the camera are some of the hardest-working, most dedicated professionals I have ever worked with. They were often in brutal conditions with subzero temperatures, remote terrain, and no second takes. They showed up every single day with heart, humor, and grit. Whether huddled in tents waiting out a storm or troubleshooting frozen equipment, those behind-the-scenes men and women who braved the elements and the cast, spent time away from their families and always got the shot, are the real heros of LBZ.

The show’s cinematography has been consistently recognized by the Television Academy. Can you talk about your collaborations with the team of cinematographers and how you arrived at the show’s striking visual palette?

The look of Life Below Zero was never an afterthought. It was part of our DNA. I have been lucky to work with an incredibly talented team of cinematographers who understood the assignment. They treated this like a feature film, even when we were in minus-40-degree temperatures with frozen batteries and grizzly bears nearby and mostly had to carry minimum gear on their backs while not interfering with the cast day to day. From long lens vérité to drone, observational and intentional framing, we built a visual language that matched the environment. We have been nominated for Best Cinematography at the Emmys ten years in a row – that is over a decade of recognition which is an incredible achievement and a testament to the artistry, consistency, and toughness of our crew.

With Life Below Zero’s award-winning run now coming to a close, what is next on the horizon for you?

It’s a tough time in the reality TV landscape (and the business as a whole) but I’m developing several new projects and staying busy. Some are rooted in survival and natural history and also explore identity, faith, and transformation. I’m also growing my company, Interesting.Media, which focuses on cinematic nonfiction storytelling that lives across platforms, from streamers and networks to YouTube and beyond. And recently I co founded the Ladyface Mountain Documentary Film Festival – a documentary film festival that takes place in Agoura Hills – in the heart of the Conejo Valley Year 1 was a passion project and my co founder Ally Siegel and I hope to grow it into something that can help champion the next generation of documentary storytellers. But after 12 years working, breathing, living Alaska – the spirit of Life Below Zero – the curiosity, the respect for nature, the deep love of story – will continue in everything I do next.