Genres
Networks
James May's Great Explorers
Overview
There was a time, before football and rock'n'roll, when explorers were the A-listers of their day. Death-defying antics and tales of daring made them the stuff of legend: names like Columbus, Raleigh, and Cook, who sailed off over the horizon to discover new lands and bring home treasures unimaginable to those sitting at home in dark, damp Europe. Intrepid explorers they may have been, but ‘great' might be pushing it. Across the seven seas, they spilled blood and spread disease. They enabled the destruction of civilisations and the growth of slavery. And many of their ‘discoveries' weren't quite what you'd think...
Top Cast
Seasons
Season 1 (2025)
No overview available.
3 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Christopher Columbus
2025-02-13James rewrites stories of the greatest explorers in his inimitable, entertaining way, beginning with Columbus, and discovering how he merely 'stumbled across' two continents and took the spoils.
Runtime: 90 minEpisode 2: Sir Walter Raleigh
2025-02-20James May uncovers the truth behind Sir Walter Raleigh's legendary rise - from his persuasive skills to his New World ventures - and reveals the dark legacy of his explorations.
Runtime: 90 minEpisode 3: Captain Cook
2025-02-27In his unique style, James explores Captain Cook's rise to naval captain and his legacy - even experiencing first-hand his own apprenticeship aboard a tall ship.
Runtime: 90 minVideos
James May’s Great Explorers | Trailer | Channel 5
