Channel 5 Orders Brian Cox-Fronted Doc About Wealth

Channel 5 has commissioned a two-part documentary series exploring wealth that will be fronted by Brian Cox (Succession).

Produced by the Fremantle label Naked, Brian Cox: That’s the Way the Money Goes (w.t.) will investigate wealth at the extreme ends of the spectrum as Cox aims to better understand its impacts on individuals and society. Throughout the series, he will tell his own story—from growing up in poverty to becoming a highly paid Hollywood actor who plays a rich and bloodthirsty capitalist on TV.

Cox will also roll up his sleeves in a soup kitchen in the Bronx, hang out with supermodels on Miami Beach, meet homeless people in Harlem and drop in on a billionaire in London’s most expensive house.

Fremantle will distribute the two-parter internationally.

Cox said: “This is a fascinating subject and having lived both ends of the wealth gap, this series will allow me to examine my own relationship with money whilst gaining a deeper understanding of how wealth really affects society today.”

Daniel Pearl, commissioning editor for factual at Channel 5 & P+, said: “This is an important series to be bringing to the channel, exploring a topic that has never been more relevant. Working with Brian continues to show our ability to attract incredible talent, and I’m looking forward to seeing him tell his story.”

Fatima Salaria, managing director at Naked, added: “The wealth divide has never been bigger, and the richest 1 percent now own half of the world’s wealth—all while more people are falling into extreme poverty. Alongside producer/director Tristan Quinn, we’re delighted to be working with Brian as he guides viewers through his own exploration in this important and compelling series, which will see him try to gain a better understanding of what it means to be rich or poor in society today.”