22 October 2025
3 min read
Join Cate Blanchett and explore the Millennium Seed Bank in a new series of Kew's award-winning podcast
Out now, the first two episodes of Unearthed: The need for seeds celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst.
With the two episodes available today, Kew's new Unearthed: The need for seeds podcast celebrates 25 years of the Millennium Seed Bank (MSB) at Wakehurst, the most significant wild seed bank in the world.
Kew's Ambassador for Wakehurst Cate Blanchett hosts the latest series of Kew's award-winning podcast, which explores the past, present and future of the ground-breaking MSB.
To open the series, Cate is joined in conversation by His Majesty The King to discuss some of the MSB's most exciting achievements in the past 25 years, as well as the vital restoration and conservation work taking place around the world today.
Hear from Cate on the new series
‘Recording the podcast was an absolute joy. It was also revelatory. I witnessed the invaluable science that is undertaken around the clock by the dedicated team at Wakehurst and their partners across the world. The real and ever-growing threats to our precious planet must be addressed and the work of the Millennium Seed Bank is a linchpin for our collective “Thrival”. Seeds may be tiny, but they are of monumental importance to us all.’
The new series takes you on a unique journey with Cate as she follows the Kew scientists and their global partners pushing the boundaries of seed biology research.
She discovers the ambitious origins of the MSB, joins collectors in the field to bank vital seeds, and learns about the plans to send seeds beyond the earth itself.
From restoring habitats to protecting biodiversity, these seeds hold the promise of our planet’s future. This is no distant insurance policy. It’s one we’re already relying on — and one that will only grow in importance as our climate changes and biodiversity is lost.
What to expect from the new series
The first two episodes are available right now on your podcast provider of choice.
Special episode with His Majesty, The King
Cate sits down with long-time champion of nature, His Majesty King Charles III and Kew’s Senior Research Leader in Seed Conservation Dr Elinor Breman in the gardens of Windsor Castle, to reflect on the Millennium Seed Bank's vital role in securing the future of plant life on Earth.
Episode 1 – The Past
In this first episode, Cate dives into the rich history of the Bank, discovers the extraordinary variety of seeds stored to protect our global food systems, and learns about the vital role banked seeds have already played in regenerating and restoring habitats.
Episode 2 – The Present
In this episode, Cate joins Wakehurst scientists on a seed-collecting mission in the South of England. Searching for yellow rattle, she learns how scientists balance collecting for research while leaving nature undisturbed. She also discovers first-hand how seeds are dried, cleaned, and x-rayed before being sealed deep in the vaults.
Episode 3 – The Future
In the final episode of Unearthed: The need for seeds, Cate looks ahead to the next 25 years of the MSB – and beyond. Discover how experiments in orbit are helping scientists understand how plants might survive extreme environments, and hear how Wakehurst’s cryogenic labs are being used to develop new preservation techniques for fragile seeds.
Read & watch
Seven plants saved by the Millennium Seed Bank Partnership
.jpgfa88.webp?itok=STOrmosg "Millennium Seed Bank ©RBG Kew")