By Jon Donnis
BriteSpark East, part of the Argonon group, has teamed up with Channel 4 for a new six-part series, Kevin McCloud: Scenic Drives in Stunning Cars (working title). The series will follow the acclaimed designer and presenter as he takes to Europe's open roads in some of the most elegant and historically significant cars ever made, exploring both the vehicles and the countries that shaped them.
Across six visually rich episodes, McCloud swaps the building sites of Grand Designs for a set of classic wheels, each one symbolising a different era and culture. With a nostalgic nod to the golden age of motoring, before the dominance of low-cost flights and endless tarmac, he sets out to rediscover the romance of the journey itself.
In France, McCloud glides from Cannes to Monaco in a stylish French icon, soaking up the Riviera's art and architecture. In Sweden, he takes to the road in the legendary Volvo P1800, tracing the car's Scandinavian roots through serene archipelagos and coastal towns. Italy brings the thrill of the Maserati 3500 GT, as he winds through sunlit piazzas and ancient hilltop villages. The adventure continues through England's Peak District in a Jaguar Mk2, Northern Ireland's Causeway Coastal Route in a DeLorean MC12, and Germany's Baden-Württemberg region in a classic Mercedes SL, home to modernist design and engineering brilliance.
Along the way, McCloud immerses himself in each region's culture, food, and artistry, uncovering the connections between the cars and the landscapes that inspired them. Reflecting on the series, McCloud said, "This is an exciting new venture for me. Old cars connect us to our collective past, and each one tells a story about a place and its people. They demand more from us and, in return, give more back than any modern motor. It's a genuine privilege to explore these fabled machines and the worlds they come from."
Tom Porter, Creative Director of BriteSpark Films, called it "a pan-European ride in some of history's most exciting cars," praising McCloud's "deep knowledge and unbridled enthusiasm" as key to the show's charm. Channel 4's Commissioning Editor Ian Dunkley added that the series "combines iconic cars, extraordinary landscapes and Kevin's indelible curiosity, for a programme that feels both nostalgic and fresh."
Kevin McCloud: Scenic Drives in Stunning Cars (6 x 60') is produced by BriteSpark East for Channel 4. It is executive produced by Tom Porter, series produced by Chris Richards, and directed by Salvatore Assenza. The series has already been pre-sold to ABC Australia and will be distributed internationally by Sphere Abacus.
No comments:
Post a Comment