‘The Grand Tour’ Producer Andy Wilman on Working With Childhood Friend Jeremy Clarkson: ‘We Didn’t Plan Any of This at School’

As a seasoned movie critic with a penchant for uncovering the untold stories behind the silver screen, I must say that “The Grand Tour” is a testament to the power of serendipity and camaraderie. The partnership between Andy Wilman and Jeremy Clarkson, reminiscent of two old blokes who accidentally opened a bakery that grew into Selfridges, is truly captivating.

Andy Wilman, the producer behind “The Grand Tour”, credits his early success back to his school days, where he shared a classroom with Jeremy Clarkson.

Wilman shared that he attended school with the person in question, expressing something like, “It’s interesting,” or “That’s an intriguing fact.” However, he clarified that they didn’t have any pre-planned collaboration during their school days. They found a natural compatibility, and some aspects of their success could be traced back to those shared school years. He added that they never sat down to strategize a plan for success because they probably lacked the foresight to do so. The popularity of ‘Top Gear’ was more of an accident than a deliberate move.

Wilman was a joint creator of Jeremy Clarkson’s popular motoring program “Top Gear”. When Clarkson was dismissed by the BBC, Wilman left along with him and shifted to Amazon Prime Video where they initiated another automotive show named “The Grand Tour”. Additionally, Wilman is also responsible for producing shows such as “Clarkson’s Farm” among various other series.

Jeremy and I initially started our small bakery, but it eventually grew to be as large as the famous department store, Selfridges. He exclaimed, ‘I can’t believe it!’

At the Royal Television Society gathering in London, the producer took part in a discussion labeled “The Hitmakers,” which also featured “Happy Valley” producer Nicola Shindler on the same panel.

Both Wilman and Shindler discussed snobbery in the industry and how having a tabloid or soap sensibility could inform high-end unscripted and drama. “Jeremy’s a tabloid print journalist first and foremast and that element’s never left it,” Wilman said.

I’m the proud head of Quay Street Productions, an independent studio that’s been making waves lately. Our recent success story is the Harlan Coben adaptation “Fool Me Once,” which has been a hit. We’ve got two more Coben adaptations in the pipeline, “Missing You” and “Run Away,” which we’re eagerly developing.

In my formative years, I was deeply immersed in the world of television, with daytime soap operas being a constant presence. Even my collaborator, the brilliant mind behind “Doctor Who,” Russell T. Davies, began his journey in this same realm. Together, we crafted the critically acclaimed AIDS drama “It’s A Sin,” proving that our shared roots in soap operas have served us well.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I work alongside individuals who are deeply invested in the world of television, striving to create engaging series that resonate with viewers. If I were to suggest cutting down on length or trimming elements that are dear to their hearts, I know they would understand, albeit reluctantly.

Wilman stated that Clarkson is capable of being harsh when trimming his shows. He explained, “If I forward him a portion of the footage and suggest ’10 minutes needs to be removed from here’, [Clarkson will remove it]. However, if I send it to James May, he aims to add an extra 10 minutes instead.

Curve Media CEO Camilla Lewis chaired the panel.

At this year’s Royal Television Society conference, which is being held by Netflix, were various speakers such as David Beckham, Ted Sarandos, and culture secretary Lisa Nandy.

2024-09-17 17:16

‘The Grand Tour’ Producer Andy Wilman on Working With Childhood Friend Jeremy Clarkson: ‘We Didn’t Plan Any of This at School’

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