Stripped of Phones and Cards, Five Couples Battle Across Asia in TV’s Most Grueling Adventure Yet

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Race Across the World returns to BBC One with five new pairs of contestants embarking on a challenging journey from the Great Wall of China to Kanniyakumari, India’s southernmost tip, armed only with the cash equivalent of a plane ticket and no access to smartphones or bank cards. The teams must navigate their way using limited resources, relying on strategy and resilience to claim the £20,000 prize.
The new series premieres on Wednesday, April 23, maintaining the familiar voice that has narrated every edition since the show’s inception in 2019. John Hannah, a distinguished Scottish actor known for roles in The Mummy trilogy and Four Weddings and a Funeral, lends his voice to the series once more, providing continuity amid fresh faces and new locales.

Hannah’s career spans over three decades, with notable performances alongside Gwyneth Paltrow in Sliding Doors and appearances in popular TV dramas such as Black Mirror and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Born in East Kilbride, Scotland, he trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and has portrayed a variety of complex characters, including the original DI John Rebus in the early 2000s.
Beyond narration, Hannah’s voice features in European Co-operative Group advertisements and the animated film Roald and Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse. He has been married to actress Joanna Roth since 1996, with whom he has shared screen time in several projects; they live in Richmond, London with their two children.

This season’s competitors include childhood sweethearts Fin and Sioned from Carmarthen, siblings Elizabeth and Letitia, ex-spouses Yin and Gaz, brothers Brian and Melvyn, and a mother-son duo, Caroline and Tom. Each pair faces the daunting task of traveling without flights, phones, or credit cards, using only their wits and the provided funds to cross thousands of kilometers through diverse terrains and cultures.

Race Across the World’s format forbids air travel, compelling participants to traverse vast distances by land and sea, budgeting carefully for food, accommodation, and transport. The show’s production involves meticulous planning, including pre-assessed bus and train routes and securing visas and vaccinations, while film crews accompany the racers without influencing their decisions, ensuring safety with medical support and local guides.

Since its debut, the series has evolved, with previous editions covering continents from London to Singapore, and more recently a trans-Canada race spanning 16,000 kilometers across six time zones. The show’s unique premise of low-budget, high-stakes travel has garnered critical acclaim, including a BAFTA, and continues to captivate audiences with its blend of adventure, human drama, and cultural exploration.

This season’s broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer promises to deliver the same gripping competition and heartfelt moments that have defined Race Across the World, inviting viewers to witness the contestants’ ingenuity and determination as they race to the finish line under extraordinary constraints.