Clarkson, Hammond And May Take Unmatched ’Top Gear’ Chemistry To Amazon Prime
Great news! Jezza, Hamster, and Captain Slow are returning to film a brand new automotive series, and as previously reported it will be an online-only affair. After months of speculation, Jeremey Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May didn’t actually land at Netflix, which was the runaway favorite and obvious shoe-in for a new series. Instead, the English trio was picked up by Amazon for an undisclosed sum.
All that Amazon is saying about the Prime-exclusive deal is that, “We have made a significant investment.”
At this time, the series is without a name, as “Top Gear” is owned by the BBC. However, whatever the series is called, it is sure to be a huge draw for Amazon as the obvious friendship between Clarkson, Hammond, and May is greater than the the Top Gear name. And of course, Amazon is banking on this chemistry to draw more subscribers to its Amazon Prime service.
James May, Jeremy Clarkson, and Richard Hammond
The original Top Gear fell apart after Clarkson got into an altercation with a member of the production crew. He was subsequently fired by the BBC, with Hammond and May departing to show support for their long-time friend. Clarkson has long shown a distaste for the internal politics at the BBC and has made no qualms about speaking his mind on a number of subjects, which often gets him into trouble. However, moving to Amazon will give Clarkson a bit more freedom to spread his wings. “I feel like I've climbed out of a bi-plane and into a spaceship,” said Clarkson in a press release. “We have become part of the new age of smart TV. Ironic, isn’t it?” added May.
I'm very excited to announce that Hammond, May and I have signed a deal with .@AmazonVideo
— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) July 30, 2015Good news! I've got a job with @AmazonVideoUK. Bad news! So have the other two. #AmazonPrime #ItSaysHere
— James May (@MrJamesMay) July 30, 2015I've got a job I've got a job I've got a job.
Haircut, clean jeans and practice driving again. Forrrrwaaaaaaaard!!
— Richard Hammond (@RichardHammond) July 30, 2015
Besides the three stars of the show, executive producer Andy Wilman will also join the crew in their journey to Amazon, which is definitely music to our ears.
“Customers told us they wanted to see the team back on screen, and we are excited to make that happen,” said Jay Marine, EU VP of Amazon Prime Video. “Millions of Prime members are already enjoying our ground-breaking original shows. We can’t wait to see what Jeremy, Richard, James and the team will create in what is sure to be one of the most globally anticipated shows of 2016.”
The new show is scheduled to begin production this fall and will launch sometime in 2016. And on that bombshell, goodnight!
