The unexpected journey of ‘The Grand Tour’ and its creators
A school friendship that sparked a phenomenon
Andy Wilman, the producer behind the hit motoring show The Grand Tour, reminisces about his school days with Jeremy Clarkson. “I went to school with him, which is like, argh,” Wilman revealed with a chuckle. “But we didn’t plan any of this when we were at school, obviously not. We do have a synergy. Some of it did come from school… we never sat down and planned a hit because I don’t think we were clever enough to do that. Top Gear became that big, but it was by accident.”
From ‘Top Gear’ to ‘The Grand Tour’
Wilman co-created the iconic Top Gear alongside Clarkson before they both transitioned to Prime Video after Clarkson’s departure from the BBC. This move birthed The Grand Tour, a show that has captivated motoring enthusiasts worldwide. Wilman also produces Clarkson’s Farm among other series, showcasing his versatility in the industry.
“Jeremy and I are like a couple of old blokes who started a baker’s shop and then it becomes the size of [department store] Selfridges and you’re like ‘Oh fuck,’” he added, reflecting on their unexpected success.
Insights from the Royal Television Society conference
Wilman shared these insights at the Royal Television Society conference in London, where he appeared on a panel titled “The Hitmakers” alongside Nicola Shindler, the producer of Happy Valley. Both Wilman and Shindler discussed the industry’s snobbery and how a tabloid or soap sensibility could inform high-end unscripted and drama.
“Jeremy’s a tabloid print journalist first and foremost, and that element’s never left it,” Wilman said, emphasizing the importance of staying true to one’s roots.
Nicola Shindler’s journey and collaborations
Shindler, who runs independent producer Quay Street Productions, recently had a hit with the Harlan Coben adaptation Fool Me Once. She has two more Coben adaptations in development, Missing You and Run Away. Reflecting on her knack for storytelling, she said, “I always watched masses of television. I grew up with the soaps on the whole time.” She also highlighted her frequent collaborator, Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies, who also started in soaps. Together, they created the award-winning AIDS drama It’s A Sin.
“The people I work with are passionate about television and want to make popular shows, so if you say to them ‘It’s too long, you have to throw out some things that they love,’ they will,” she said, underscoring the importance of collaboration and compromise in the creative process.
The art of editing and storytelling
Wilman shared that Clarkson can be ruthless about cutting his shows. “If I send him a cut of the film and say ’10 minutes has to come off of that,’ he’ll cut it,” Wilman said. “If I send it to [The Grand Tour co-star] James May, he wants to put 10 more in.” This anecdote highlights the different approaches to storytelling and editing within the team, contributing to the show’s dynamic nature.
A star-studded conference
The panel was chaired by Camilla Lewis, CEO of Curve Media. Other notable speakers at the Royal Television Society conference, hosted by Netflix this year, included David Beckham, Ted Sarandos, and culture secretary Lisa Nandy. Their presence underscored the event’s significance in the television industry.
Personal reflections for enthusiasts
For cinema, TV series, and music enthusiasts, the stories behind the creation of beloved shows like The Grand Tour and Happy Valley offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of entertainment. The synergy between Wilman and Clarkson, the passion of Shindler and her collaborators, and the diverse approaches to storytelling and editing all contribute to the magic that captivates audiences.
Explore more
These links provide immediate access to trailers and additional information, allowing you to dive deeper into the shows and understand the creative minds behind them.