Making a documentary with crews in 19 locations around the world is tricky. Making that doc intertwined with a drama set on two planets and over two decades is out-of-this-world complicated.

“Mars” is National Geographic Channel’s most ambitious solo project. Premiering Nov. 14, it features scientists explaining how humans will colonize the Red Planet. Dramatic scenes are set in 2033 when a diverse crew lands.

It’s a tough voyage. The show’s journey was almost as challenging.

RadicalMedia initially wanted to do a documentary about Elon Musk, the visionary behind Tesla and SpaceX, who is making rockets to go to Mars.

“Elon wanted to tell a bigger story about why, as humanity, we need to leave this planet and become an interplanetary species,” says Justin Wilkes, president, entertainment, RadicalMedia.

Musk suggested Ron Howard and Brian Grazer become involved in making this a major production. Luckily, Jon Kamen, RadicalMedia CEO, and Wilkes are friends with Imagine Entertainment’s Academy Award-winning team.