Tom “Wookie” Ford

In a bit of good news for fans of the cancelled Top Gear US TV show, BBC America has ordered a new Top Gear spin-off, Top Gear America. Top Gear US was cancelled back in June of 2016, after six seasons on History.

Actor and competitive racer William Fichtner will host the Top Gear America TV series with drag racing champ Antron Brown and British auto journalist Tom “Wookie” Ford. The eight-episode first season will premiere on BBC America, later this year.

William Fichtner

Check out the BBC America press release for more on Top Gear America.

03/20/2017

BBC AMERICA GREENLIGHTS NEW ORIGINAL SERIES TOP GEAR AMERICA

Expansion of the Top Gear Franchise Will Premiere on BBCA Later This Year With Eight-Episode Season

New York – March 20, 2017 – BBC AMERICA announced today the greenlight of Top Gear America. With a nod to its UK roots, the reimagined US spin-off of Top Gear will appear on BBCA with three new presenters in eight hour-long episodes starting later this year. The series will be hosted by racing enthusiast and veteran film and television actor William Fichtner, world champion drag racer Antron Brown, and premier British automotive journalist Tom “Wookie” Ford. Season 24 of Top Gear is currently airing Sundays at 8/7c on BBCA.

Sarah Barnett, President of BBCA, commented: “We are big fans of the mix of cars, credibility, and charisma that adds up to the winning formula for Top Gear, and couldn’t be happier that BBCA is now the home for the franchise in the US, with Top Gear America joining the original show on our network. Bill, Antron and Wookie are serious gearheads who never take themselves too seriously. It will be quite the trip.”

Top Gear America reviews not just exclusive and state-of-the-art vehicles but also the cars of America’s culture defining past. From the latest supercars to the ultimate in automotive engineering technology, Top Gear America puts the viewer in the passenger seat alongside the car-obsessed hosts as they race the most incredible vehicles on the scenic highways and historic tracks of the American west. Each week will feature a different celebrity who will compete for top honor on the leader board at the new Top Gear studio and track, Speed Vegas. Of course, the one and only Stig, Top Gear’s mysterious test driver, will be leaving everyone in his petrol-hazed wake.

Award-winning film and TV actor William Fichtner (Black Hawk Down, The Dark Knight, Armageddon, Lone Ranger, Prison Break) is a car nut and competitive racer. Antron Brown is a three-time NHRA Top Fuel Division world champion. Tom “Wookie” Ford was the Road Test Editor of CAR Magazine and previously appeared in BBCA’s Mud, Sweat, and Gears. He is currently the Associate Editor of Top Gear Magazine and contributes to both TopGear.com and The Sunday Times.

Top Gear America is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions for BBC AMERICA.

Antron Brown

What do you think? Will you watch the Top Gear America TV show when it premieres on BBC America?