Image Credit: Mike Reid/BBC

The fictional counterparts of English actor Dominic Monaghan have had run-ins with all sorts of formidable creatures, from orcs in The Lord of the Rings to fellow mutants in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. But lately, he’s been capturing on camera his encounters with creatures far more real and often just as fearsome — if not more so.

The Lost alum’s nature-trekking, animal-searching show Wild Things With Dominic Monaghan airs its season 1 finale tonight on BBC America. The series is viewers’ chance to join Monaghan on what he calls “the way I’m used to holidaying”: journeying deep into the middle-of-nowhere places of the world to catch a glimpse of some wild, often dangerous animals. Among the creepy-crawlies he’s showcased on Wild Things are scorpions, snakes, beetles, centipedes, leeches, and giant bees.

When EW caught up with Monaghan before the finale, he told us about his favorite childhood encounters with animals, how the show’s influences range from nature enthusiasts like Steve Irwin to a certain famous chef, what fans can expect for tonight’s finale, and what he has in store for the future of the show — which he is hopeful will get a season 2 renewal. READ FULL STORY »