New Australian Version of Top Gear in the Works

Paramount+ and BBC Studios Australia and New Zealand are working together on a new Australian treatment of Top Gear.

The series will be produced by BBC Studios’ local production arm to launch on Paramount+ Australia in 2024. The show will be led by music composer and car enthusiast Blair “Moog” Joscelyne, The Amazing Race Australia‘s Beau Ryan and actor and Australian Survivor‘s Jonathan LaPaglia.

The eight-part series begins filming later this year.

Joscelyne said: “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when you get asked to be part of one of the biggest motoring shows in the world. And I will take my job seriously of frying the tires of any vehicle that the producers are irresponsible enough to hand me the keys to.”

Ryan said: “I’m super excited to be part of such an iconic franchise and can’t wait to bring it back to Australia. So, fasten your seatbelts because this is going to be one hell of a ride!”

LaPaglia said: “When Network 10 and BBC Studios asked me if I’d be interested in traveling all over the world to test really cool cars and behave like an idiot, I said, ‘Of course I’m interested. Where do I sign?’ Top Gear is arguably the biggest (and greatest) car show ever, and as a massive fan, I used to fantasize about being on it one day as a guest racing the Reasonably Priced Car around their test track. I waited, but that call never came. But 20 years later, someone at Top Gear HQ screwed up, confused me with someone else, and asked me to be a host of Top Gear Australia? Buckle up, this could get bumpy!”

Daniel Monaghan, senior VP of content and programming at Paramount Australia & New Zealand, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with BBC Studios to bring a localized version of the iconic series to Paramount +. Top Gear Australia promises to deliver everything fans love about the show but with an Aussie twist. We can’t wait for Jonathan, Beau and Blair to get behind the wheel of the world’s biggest car entertainment show.”

Kylie Washington, general manager and creative director of production at BBC Studios Australia and New Zealand, said: “Top Gear is a global juggernaut that has entertained viewers in over 150 territories worldwide, and we are excited to bring this fresh, new imagining of the show to Australian audiences together with Paramount+. In Jonathan, Beau and Blair, we have found a winning combination of expert knowledge and on-screen chemistry that we know audiences will love.”