Essential Media Group to Produce Griff Rhys Jones Travel Doc

Essential Media Group will produce British comedian Griff Rhys Jones’ latest travel show, a six-part documentary titled Griff Off the Rails: Down Under that begins filming in Australia this month.

The documentary has been acquired by ABC TV in Australia, and Kew Media Distribution is handling the series’ international distribution. The series is directed by Julia Peters (Miracle Hospital, Nolan, Becoming Superhuman), and Essential Media’s general manager, Brendan Dahill, will serve as executive producer.

Griff Off the Rails: Down Under follows travel and train enthusiast Jones—who viewers may recognize from Slow Train Through Africa and Three Men in a Boat—as he explores Australia through its railways and delves into the stories of the people who operate them and the communities who rely on them.

Dahill said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Griff to create a very distinctive series that will offer viewers an entertaining outsider’s perspective on the foundation of a modern country and the origins of what it means to be an Australian today.”

Jones added: “It’s great to be back in Australia. It presents an opportunity I’ve never had before to explore every corner of this wonderful place and to get out into the wild areas that trains will take me to. This fascinating story will be told about the way Australia built a huge infrastructure to unite the country and its people. It is history, commentary and adventure all wound into one.”