Top Gear series 28

Top Gear
Series 28
Starring
No. of episodes7
Release
Original networkBBC Two
Original release29 December 2019 (2019-12-29) –
1 March 2020 (2020-03-01)
Series chronology
← Previous
Series 27
Next →
Series 29
List of episodes

Series 28 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2020, consisting of six episodes between 26 January and 1 March; the series' studio segments were filmed prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. The series was preceded by a feature-length special, involving a road trip by the presenters across Nepal, that was aired on 29 December 2019.[1]

This series' highlights included the presenters competing in a Mexican off-road motorsport race, creating a home-made off-road vehicle, a second race between a high-speed car and a fighter jet, and a tribute to rally legend Colin McRae. The popularity of the show continued to improve after the previous series, leading to the BBC to announce after the series had concluded that the programme would be moved to BBC One for future series.

Production

On 20 June 2019, after the first episode of Series 27 had aired, it was announced that McGuinness and Flintoff would return for another series alongside Harris.[2][3] On 11 July 2019, it was announced that the trio would also return for a one-off Christmas special in Nepal,[4][5] the first Top Gear special since the Patagonia Special five years earlier, and the first since the departure of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.

On 10 February 2020, it was announced that future series of Top Gear would air on BBC One,[6] making this series the last to air on BBC Two. Production changes for the following series due to the COVID-19 pandemic also meant that this series was the last to feature the Star in a ... Car segment, and the last to be filmed in an indoor studio marking the end of features/concepts that had been ever present in the shows' format in Top Gear for 17 years since the relaunch of Top Gear in 2002, which was conceived by the shows' ex-presenter Jeremy Clarkson and its ex-executive producer Andy Wilman.

Episodes

Main article: List of Top Gear (2002 TV series) episodes
No.
overall		No. in
series		ReviewsFeatures/challengesGuest(s)Original air dateUK viewers
(millions) [7]
209—N/A – Nepal SpecialDriving from Kathmandu to Lo Manthang (Peugeot 106 Rallye • Renault 4 • Hulas Mustang)None29 December 2019 (2019-12-29)3.72
2101Ariel Atom 4Best Convertibles for less than £600 (Ford Escort Cabriolet • Mercedes-Benz SLK • Chrysler LeBaron) • Bungee jumping a Rover MetroNone26 January 2020 (2020-01-26)5.22
2112McLaren SpeedtailBuilding a Cheap Off-Roader to compete with the Land Rover Defender • McLaren Speedtail vs RAF F-35BRomesh Ranganathan2 February 2020 (2020-02-02)4.90
2123Porsche TaycanAmerican Cars in Peru (Pontiac Firebird • Dodge Dart • Volkswagen Campervan • Oldsmobile Cutlass)None9 February 2020 (2020-02-09)5.24
2134Renault Mégane RS Trophy R • Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 • Lamborghini Gallardo SpyderRacing the Baja 1000Emilia Fox • Laurence Fox16 February 2020 (2020-02-16)4.45
2145Volkswagen I.D. RBest Exotic European Sports Car (Ferrari Portofino • Porsche 911 Carrera S • Aston Martin V8 Vantage)KSI • Damon Hill23 February 2020 (2020-02-23)5.11
2156BMW M8Tribute to Colin McRae • Fastest Emergency serviceTom Allen • Jimmy McRae • David Richards • Carlos Sainz1 March 2020 (2020-03-01)4.68

References

  1. ^ "Nepal Special". BBC. 29 December 2019.
  2. ^ "BBC News – Flintoff and McGuinness' Top Gear to be renewed after one episode". Metro.co.uk. 20 June 2019.
  3. ^ "Top Gear Series 28 Episodes". BBC.co.uk. 13 February 2020.
  4. ^ "BBC News – Top Gear Christmas Special Returning". Top Gear. 11 July 2019.
  5. ^ "Top Gear Special in Nepal". iNews. 23 December 2019.
  6. ^ "Top Gear Moving to BBC One". Top Gear. 10 February 2020.
  7. ^ "Four-screen dashboard". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved 5 March 2019.