‘The Grand Tour’ Producer Andy Wilman on Working With Childhood Friend Jeremy Clarkson: ‘We Didn’t Plan Any of This at School’
variety.comK.J. Yossman “The Grand Tour” producer Andy Wilman says the seeds for his success were sown at school — which he attended with Jeremy Clarkson. “I went to school with him which is like, argh,” Wilman revealed. “But we didn’t plan any of this when we were at school, obviously not.
We do have a synergy. Some of it did come from school… we never sat down and planned a hit because I don’t think we were clever enough to do that. ‘Top Gear’ became that big but it was by accident.” Wilman co-created Jeremy Clarkson motoring show “Top Gear” before jumping ship with Clarkson when he was fired by the BBC, moving to Prime Video where they launched a new motoring show called “The Grand Tour.” Wilman also produces “Clarkson’s Farm” among other series. “Jeremy and I are like a couple of old blokes who started a baker’s shop and then it becomes the size of [department store] Selfridges and you’re like ‘Oh fuck,’” he added.
The producer was speaking at the Royal Television Society conference in London where he was appearing on a panel titled “The Hitmakers” alongside “Happy Valley” producer Nicola Shindler.
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.
Read more on variety.com