Dynasties: Lion
BBC — narrated by David Attenborough
Charm’s struggle to keep the Marsh Pride alive.
Fate unknown
Charm
Also known as The Marsh Matriarch · The Heroine of Dynasties
Dates not published
Born in Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Charm was a lioness of the Marsh Pride of Kenya’s Masai Mara, the pride made famous by the BBC’s Big Cat Diary, and the central figure of the lion episode of David Attenborough’s 2018 series Dynasties, which followed her for about two years. The BBC described her as the oldest lioness of the pride’s current dynasty.
When the story begins, the pride has been abandoned by its adult males. Charm and her cousin Sienna are the only adult females, left to feed and protect eight youngsters against other lions, hyenas and crocodiles. Charm’s daughter Yaya becomes a vital hunting partner, while her son Tatu and his cousin Red leave to find prides of their own.
In December 2015 herders poisoned the pride with a laced cow carcass. Sienna, Bibi and Charm’s young son Alan died, but Charm survived and carried the pride on. Her daughters Kito and Rembo went on to lead the Marsh Pride; by 2026 Kito was its leading lioness under the Topi Boys. Charm’s own death has not been published.
2Adult females left in Dynasties
8Youngsters to protect
~2Years filmed for Dynasties
2018Dynasties aired
Profile
Identity
- Name
- CharmThe name she is best known by
- Nicknames
- Information not available
- Origin of the name
- Information not available
- Sex
- Female
- Distinguishing features
- Information not available
- Weight
- Information not availableFor reference, adult lionesses usually weigh 110–180 kg
Birth & Family
- Born
- Information not availableNot published
- Birthplace
- Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
- Birth pride
- Marsh Pride
- Father
- Information not available
- Mother
- Information not available
- Siblings
- Information not availableHer cousin Sienna
Pride Life
- Role in the pride
- Matriarch of the Marsh Pride
- Prides
- Marsh Pride
- Pride size
- Information not availableAbout ten, with Sienna and eight young lions, in Dynasties
- Years in the pride
- Information not available
- Pride-mates
- Her cousin Sienna; later her daughters
- Coalition
- Information not available
- Home range
- Musiara Marsh, Masai Mara, Kenya
- Territory size
- Information not available
Death
- Died
- Information not availableNot published
- Age at death
- Information not available
- Cause of death
- Information not available
- Place of death
- Information not available
- Burial
- Information not available
Names & Meanings
CharmName
The name used by the BBC and Mara guides.
Family & Lineage
Not publishedParentsMarsh Pride lions.
The Marsh MatriarchCharmDates unknown
CousinSiennaHer partner in raising the pride; poisoned in December 2015.View record →Pride elderBibiThe oldest Marsh lioness; poisoned in December 2015.View record →DaughterKitoLeading lioness of the Marsh Pride by 2026.View record →
DaughterRemboHelped lead the pride after Charm.
DaughterYayaHer hunting partner in Dynasties.
SonTatuLeft with his cousin Red to seek a pride.
SonAlanPoisoned in December 2015.
Life Story
- Mid-2010s
The Marsh Pride’s adult males abandoned it; Charm and Sienna were left with eight youngsters.
- December 2015
The pride was poisoned; Sienna, Bibi and Alan died. Charm survived.
- November 2018
Dynasties: Lion was broadcast on BBC One, narrated by David Attenborough.
- Later
Her daughters Kito and Rembo led the Marsh Pride.
Legend & Truth
The real heroine
Dynasties presents Charm as the pride’s defender. The footage is real, though like all such films it is edited into a story.
Photographs
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Film
The film of The Marsh Matriarch’s life is coming soon
Animation
An animated story of The Marsh Matriarch’s life is coming soon
Documentaries & Features
Lion: The Rise and Fall of the Marsh Pride
BBC
The history of the pride, including Charm’s generation.
Sources
- TV Times — Dynasties looks at lions
- Live Science — The lions of Kenya’s Masai Mara
- Governors’ Camp — Dynasties and the Marsh Pride
- Daily Mirror — Dynasties
Where sources disagree, the most widely reported figure is shown, with other reports noted beneath it.