MEET THE ALL-NEW CAST OF TOP GEAR. WILL IT BE GREAT OR TERRIBLE?
About one year ago, new episodes of Britain’s famous motoring program Top Gear took an unexpected hiatus from TV screens. Investigations were called, the press went wild, and the show’s future looked in dire straights.
Today, that’s not so much the case as an all-new Top Gear has been reborn with radio star Chris Evans at the wheel, and judging by the cast of six that will be joining him, it ought to be quite the ride. From left to right, the new presenters include Rory Reid, Sabine Schmitz, Matt LeBlanc, Chris Evans, Chris Harris, Eddie Jordan, and of course The Stig.
Motoring journalist Rory Reid earns the distinction of being the final candidate chosen from the UK program’s open auditions, which were fielded in July 2015. An 18-year industry veteran, Reid is the editor-in-chief of Recombu and has featured in roles on the Sky and Discovery Channel networks, and contributes to BBC Radio 5’s Saturday Edition.
Top Gear fans will know Sabine Schmitz well. The German racing driver famously showed Jeremy Clarkson how to lap the Nurburgring Nordschleife, and later blitzed the circuit in a Ford Transit van. Who knows, she might even teach The Stig a thing or two.
Matt LeBlanc is no stranger to British television either. The Friends superstar was featured on the hit TV series Episodes, recently hosted Top Gear: The Races, and after two appearances on the show’s old format he still holds the “Star in a Reasonably Priced Car” lap record at a swift 1 minute 42.1 seconds. However time will tell if he’s always stuck in second gear (clap clap clap clap).
Internet sensation Chris Harris joins Evans, known for his popular Chris Harris on CarsYouTube channel. The motoring journalist told Evans,“Top Gear is the thing that helped shape my life with cars, my perception of cars and my obsession with cars, and I’m raring to give it a go.”
Eddie Jordan arrives to the reborn Top Gear with years of screen time covering Formula 1 racing and a lifetime in the motorsports industry. Jordan formed his own F1 team—Jordan Grand Prix—in 1991, and famously gave seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher his F1 racing start. The 67-year-old told Evans, “I have such enormous respect for all my fellow presenters and I politely ask that they go easy on these old bones.”
The Stig will presumedly remain unchanged, then again you never know exactly who’s beneath the infamous white racing suit and helmet. Excited yet? The new season of Top Gear is expected to arrive in May.