Race Across the World Recommissioned by BBC Two

BBC Two has recommissioned the global travel series Race Across the World for two new eight-part seasons.

The new seasons will see pairs of travelers racing from a starting line in one part of the world to the finish line thousands of miles away, without using air travel or advantages of modern-day life such as mobile phones, internet or credit cards. Navigating their way around the world at ground level with only the cash equivalent of the airfare to their final destination, they will find themselves needing to rely on the kindness of strangers and calling upon all of their travel skills and ingenuity.

Race Across the World’s debut season, which saw teams race from London to Singapore, launched this spring. It featured the highest-rated episode of a new factual-entertainment title across BBC Two and Channel 4 since 2016.

Patrick Holland, controller at BBC Two, said: “Race Across World shows the ambition and creative risk-taking that is possible on BBC Two. I am delighted that its spirit of adventure, open-heartedness and sheer sense of possibility, unique qualities that could only have developed on BBC Two, chimed so well with audiences young and old.”

David Brindley, head of commissioning for popular factual and factual entertainment, added: “We’re thrilled to be bringing back Race Across the World for a further two seasons. Over three million people enjoyed the finale of the first season and it became a huge word-of-mouth hit. To have developed and launched the biggest new factual-entertainment title on BBC Two since 2016 is a real result and I can’t wait to see where the journey will take our brave explorers next.”

Tim Harcourt, creative director at Studio Lambert, said: “Race Across the World was an epic and ambitious series and we’re thrilled it delighted viewers and captured the imaginations of both young and old. Season two will retain the jaw-dropping landscapes, charm and appeal of season one, but with a new and longer route there are sure to be fresh challenges and surprises our teams will face.”