Extra Gear

Extra Gear
GenreMotoring
Created byChris Evans
Directed by
  • Richard Down
  • Simon Staffurth
  • Toby Baker
Presented by
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series4
No. of episodes24
Production
Executive producerMartin Dance
Producers
  • Richard Down
  • Stephanie Fox
  • Toby Brack
Running time30 mins
Production companiesBBC / BBC Studios
BBC America
Original release
Network
Release29 May 2016 (2016-05-29) –
17 March 2019 (2019-03-17)
Related
Top Gear

Top Gear: Extra Gear, known simply as Extra Gear, is a British online television series, broadcast by BBC Three, which is online only and is available on on-demand service BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom; the series serves as a spin-off show to Top Gear. In the first series, the main presenters were Top Gear co-presenters Rory Reid and Chris Harris. After Reid and Harris were appointed as main presenters to the parent show, comedian George Lewis was announced as the new lead presenter for series 2. Following Lewis’ departure, Reid returned as the presenter of the show for the third series.[1]

Production

[edit]

On 27 April 2016, it was announced that BBC Three had commissioned a spin-off programme to BBC Two motoring series Top Gear, entitled Extra Gear, presented by Top Gear co-presenter Rory Reid.[2] The series is released online immediately following episodes from the twenty-third series of the main show, and features exclusive new footage, interviews, specially-recorded films and behind-the-scenes access to Top Gear.[2]

Following his appointment, Reid stated that "Top Gear fans are some of the keenest in the world and with this show I’m giving them a chance to really get a peek behind the curtain. I’m looking forward to showing them how the show is made and what goes on behind the scenes, giving viewers a different perspective on some of the coolest cars on the planet."[3] Reid won his place on the show after submitting a thirty-second audition video to a BBC open audition for the role.[4]

On 24 May 2016, a behind-the-scenes trailer revealed that Reid would be joined by fellow Top Gear presenter Chris Harris, who would act as his co-presenter.[5][6] Harris' addition was confirmed on 29 May 2016.[7]

In 2017, the BBC announced following Harris and Reid's promotion to the main show, that comedian George Lewis would become the main presenter alongside the two.[8] Reid would return, without Harris, for series 3.

After Series 4, the BBC confirmed that the show would not return.

Episodes

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
16May 29, 2016 (2016-05-29)June 3, 2016 (2016-06-03)BBC Three
27March 5, 2017 (2017-03-05)May 23, 2017 (2017-05-23)BBC Three
BBC Two
36February 25, 2018 (2018-02-25)April 1, 2018 (2018-04-01)
45February 17, 2019 (2019-02-17)March 17, 2019 (2019-03-17)

Series 1 (2016)

[edit]
TotalEpisodeReviewsGuest(s)Original air date
1
1
Ariel NomadMini CooperPorsche GT3RChris EvansSabine SchmitzChris Ramsey29 May 2016 (2016-05-29)
2
2
McLaren F1 • Volvo XC90 T8 • Glickenhaus P45C CompetizioneChris Evans • Stephen K. AmosEddie Jordan5 June 2016 (2016-06-05)
3
3
Audi R8Ferrari F12 TDFFord Focus RSMercedes AMG GTS • HoonicornSabine Schmitz • Zoe Lyons • Chris Evans • Matt LeBlanc • Ken Block12 June 2016 (2016-06-12)
4
4
Tesla Model XAston Martin V12 Vantage SEddie JordanElis JamesJohn Robins19 June 2016 (2016-06-19)
5
5
Rolls-Royce DawnPorsche 911 GT3 RSJaguar E-typeDavid CoulthardDaniel RicciardoNorman Dewis • Chris Evans26 June 2016 (2016-06-26)
6
6
BMW i8Sabine Schmitz • Matt LeBlanc3 July 2016 (2016-07-03)

Series 2 (2017)

[edit]
TotalEpisodeReviewsGuest(s)Original air date
7
1
Ferrari FXX-KVolvo V60 PolestarFrankie DettoriShazia MirzaMax WhitlockJon CulshawOre Oduba5 March 2017 (2017-03-05)
8
2
Alfa GiuliaBMW M3 Competition PackageDavid Tennant12 March 2017 (2017-03-12)
9
3
Aston Martin DB11Ford FiestaToyota GT-86Sabine SchmitzTamsin Greig19 March 2017 (2017-03-19)
10
4
Renault Twingo GT • Bentley Mulsanne SpeedSabine SchmitzTinie Tempah26 March 2017 (2017-03-26)
11
5
Ford GT • Hammer KingsSabine SchmitzEddie JordanChris Hoy2 April 2017 (2017-04-02)
12
6
Mercedes-AMG GT RNissan GT-R NismoRoss Noble16 April 2017 (2017-04-16)
13
7
Porsche 718 Cayman SAvtoros ShamanAudi TT RSJay Kay23 April 2017 (2017-04-23)

Series 3 (2018)

[edit]
TotalEpisodeReviewsGuest(s)Original air date
14
1
Mk1 GT40Vauxhall VXR8 GTS RJohn HennesseySabine SchmitzJackie Oliver25 February 2018 (2018-02-25)
15
2
McLaren 720SMcLaren 570S SpiderMarino FranchittiRob Bell4 March 2018 (2018-03-04)
16
3
Nissan Fairlady Z432Nissan 370Z NISMOJann MardenboroughMatt Richardson11 March 2018 (2018-03-11)
17
4
Kia StingerHyundai i30Citroen 2CVColin Turkington • Brennan Reece18 March 2018 (2018-03-18)
18
5
Lamborghini CountachChevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LEPorsche 911 GT3Alex Kersten • Mark Wynne25 March 2018 (2018-03-25)
19
6
Division 1 SuperkartCraig BreenEnaam Ahmed1 April 2018 (2018-04-01)

Series 4 (2019)

[edit]
TotalEpisodeReviewsGuest(s)Original air date
20
1
Suzuki IgnisPorsche Panamera Turbo S Sport TurismoJonny Smith • Duncan Barbour17 February 2019 (2019-02-17)
21
2
Ford Focus RSMercedes-Benz E63 AMG SJaguar XJR 575Paul Wallace • Henry Catchpole • Paul "Smokey" Smith24 February 2019 (2019-02-24)
22
3
Bentley Continental GTDavid Brabham • David Lapworth • Akira Nakai3 March 2019 (2019-03-03)
23
4
Team BRIT Fun Cup BeetleBruno Senna • Al Locke • Ash Hall10 March 2019 (2019-03-10)
24
5
Lamborghini Aventador SAudi R8 V10 RWSKevin Eriksson • Vicky Parrott17 March 2019 (2019-03-17)

Broadcast

[edit]

In the United States, Extra Gear is presented on BBC America immediately following the first airing of Top Gear. In Australia, the show is available (not broadcast) on on-demand service 9Now.

From series 2 onwards, reruns are broadcast on BBC Two, the broadcaster of parent show Top Gear.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "When is Top Gear back on TV? 2018 air date confirmed".
  2. ^ a b "Top Gear Adds An Extra Gear". BBC News Online. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  3. ^ "Don't forget: 'Extra Gear' is on straight after all-new TG". 29 May 2016.
  4. ^ Robbins, Alex (27 April 2016). "Top Gear to get Extra Gear spin-off show". The Telegraph.
  5. ^ "EXTRA GEAR Top Gear's New BTS Show | Top Gear | BBC". YouTube.
  6. ^ "New Trailer of Extra Gear Spin off Reveals Chris Harris as Co-Host". 24 May 2016.
  7. ^ "BBC iPlayer – Top Gear: Extra Gear – Episode 1". BBC iPlayer – BBC Three Online. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  8. ^ "Top Gear".
[edit]

Extra Gear at IMDb