By Moss Cohen
Filmed in 11 countries across 5 continents over the course of 3 calendar years, David Blaine Do Not Attempt is a thrilling six-part series from National Geographic and Imagine Documentaries that follows world-renowned magician and endurance artist David Blaine exploring the world through the lens of magic.
In the series — currently airing back-to-back episodes on Sundays at 9pm E.T. on National Geographic, which are then available to stream next day on Disney+ and Hulu — Blaine seeks out real feats of magic at the intersection of physical and mental strength performed by extraordinary people. In each episode, Blaine immerses himself in the cultures, histories and hidden rituals that make these astonishing talents possible.
From being covered in 59 scorpions, to kissing one of the deadliest snakes in the world, to placing a knife so far down his nose that it borders the very edge of his nervous system, David Blaine learns and attempts — so you don't have to — while shining a light on a side of magic few have ever seen.
We spoke to Blaine about what compelled him to find ever more amazing feats of magic around the world, which attempt made him the most nervous, and the perfect place to make this series.
D23: What compelled you to make a show like David Blaine Do Not Attempt, that explores the world through magic?
David Blaine (DB): As a young magician, I was fascinated by performers whose acts were so extraordinary that they almost felt like fiction. I would read about them in books such as Houdini's Miracle Mongers and Their Methods and Ricky Jay's Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women. They were full of stories about people with seemingly superhuman abilities like "The Human Aquarium" or "The Living Fire Hydrant." Even just the names sparked my curiosity. As I evolved as a magician, I came to realize these weren't tricks, they were real. These performers were pushing the limits of their own bodies. They had trained for thousands of hours — with passion, discipline, and through pain to create something magical. Filmed in some of the most extraordinary places on Earth, this show is a celebration of people with skills so incredible, beautiful, and unique — individuals I never imagined I'd have the chance to meet.
D23: What did you learn about how magic is shaped by the region and culture it's developed in?
DB: In India, I discovered the spiritual discipline of sadhus and gurus, whose devotion was driven by their faith.
In Southeast Asia, there is a deep connection to wildlife and the people I learned from turned instinctual fear into fascination.
In Brazil I was drawn to the passion, celebration, and the intensity.
In South Africa, I discovered people with talents that I didn't even know existed.
In Japan, precision, detail, and quiet mastery was a theme among those that I was inspired by.
And in the Arctic, resilience, and using their extreme environment to learn superhuman feats.
D23: These feats of magic in the show go beyond sleight of hand and challenge your physical and mental fortitude. Why was it important to push yourself like this on the show?
DB: Aside from meeting fascinating people with incredible talents, I was constantly being challenged and learning skills that often took me out of my comfort zone, which always changes my perspective in new ways.
D23: Which real feat of magic made you the most nervous to try?
DB: Without question, the close encounters with some of the deadliest snakes in the world made me the most nervous. Usually I have much more control over a situation. This was very different than my normal.
D23: Why was National Geographic the perfect place to make this show?
Nat Geo was the perfect partner. Their support system, involvement, and consideration allowed us to strive to make this work in progress consistently better, as we searched the world to create something unique.
D23: David Blaine Do Not Attempt also streams on Disney+ and Hulu. Disney is also all about creating magic — how does this show fit into that?
DB: I've been fortunate to work with Disney throughout my entire career, starting with David Blaine: Street Magic [which aired on ABC] three decades ago, and having that kind of support has given me the freedom to try to create magic in a way that feels right to me.
