Jeremy Clarkson has been pretty open about where he would like his career to go in the weeks following his firing by the BBC. He’s mentioned he’d like to do a new series on a new network with his Top Gear pals. Still, hoping for a new show is not the same thing as actually working toward a new show, which is why some recent information regarding the Top Gear team is a lot more compelling. Apparently, a decision regarding a new series is expected to be made sometime over the next few weeks, and a few big companies are vying for the popular host.
New reports indicate that Clarkson, along with his former Top Gear co-stars Richard Hammond and James May, are currently in talks with three big companies to produce a new show. According to The Guardian, those three large companies are:
ITVNetflixAmazon
While ITV is an interesting wrinkle, as it would keep the three men in the U.K. and on traditional television, Netflix has long been thought to be a frontrunner. The outlet also notes that whichever company picks up the series will be looking to bring it to audiences worldwide, not just on the home front.
Meanwhile, Clarkson cheekily stated that the BBC had asked him back before the network opted to sign on a new Top Gear host in an interview with The Sun. The BBC denied such news, and has already hired a host to replace Jeremy Clarkson in radio and TV personality Chris Evans.
While the trio made headlines after May and Hammond reportedly turned down a lot of money in order to stick with Jeremy Clarkson, that doesn’t mean the whole crew is totally done with the BBC. In fact, a new Top Gear episode is set to air on the BBC2 in its usual timeslot this weekend, and is expected to break ratings records. Beyond that, presenter James May has gone ahead and signed on with the BBC to appear in a 90-minute special called Building Cars Live, so even if Top Gear isn’t the same on BBC2 in the future, familiar faces will be around for at least a little while.
We’ll let you know as soon as Netflix or one of the other contenders announces the brand new series.
