Second Nature: Gender and Sexuality in the Animal World (2026)

Director: Drew Denny

Cast: Elliot Page, Joan Roughgarden, Patricia Brennan, Amy Parish, Joseph Graves

Narrated by Elliot Page, *Second Nature* flips the script on outdated biology lessons. Join pioneering evolutionary biologist Dr. Joan Roughgarden as she connects with scientists uncovering over 1,500 animal species that defy expectations: clownfish naturally transition from male to female (meaning Nemo’s dad could have become his mom), albatross, penguins, and swans raise young in same-sex pairs, and bonobos—our close relatives alongside chimps—live in matriarchal societies with daily same-sex encounters. This eye-opening documentary shatters myths that females are “lesser” and queerness is “unnatural,” revealing a wild world where sex change, same-sex parenting, and matriarchies are the norm. *Second Nature*—everything your high school science class left out.