The Grand Tour Unveils New Hosts For 2026 Return

Fans of high-octane adventures and irreverent motoring humor have reason to rejoice: on February 5, 2026, Prime Video officially announced the return of The Grand Tour with a brand-new presenting team and a fresh, globe-trotting six-part series set to launch later this year. The shakeup follows the emotional farewell of the legendary trio—Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May—whose final episode aired in September 2024, marking the end of an era for one of the world’s most beloved automotive shows.

Stepping into the spotlight are Francis Bourgeois, James Engelsman, and Thomas Holland. This new trio, each bringing their own distinctive flair, will attempt to fill some of the biggest shoes in television. According to Advanced Television, the new series will premiere globally in more than 240 countries and territories, taking viewers along for a ride across some of the world’s most challenging and picturesque terrains, from the Angolan desert and Malaysia’s bustling car culture to the sun-drenched roads of California and the unlikely setting of Didcot Parkway.

The selection of the new hosts was no small feat. Tara Erer, Head of UK & Northern Europe Originals at Prime Video, emphasized the importance of the decision, stating, “The Grand Tour is Prime Video’s most watched unscripted UK Original series globally, so finding the right successors was no small feat – but we’ve absolutely struck gold. We’re beyond excited to pass the keys to Thomas, James, and Francis, three standout talents who emerged from an extensive search. Each bringing distinctive talents and energy that will propel the series into exciting new territory while capturing the spirit of adventure and camaraderie of this beloved franchise.”

The chemistry among the new presenters is already drawing attention. James Engelsman and Thomas Holland, best known as the creators of the wildly popular YouTube channel Throttle House, have been making car films together since 2011 and boast more than 3.35 million subscribers. Their trademark blend of irreverence, wit, and genuine automotive enthusiasm has earned them a global following. Engelsman reflected on the new team dynamic, telling National World, “I’ve worked with Thomas for almost a decade making car films. Who knew that all this time, the one ingredient that was missing was a Francis Bourgeois? Let the car adventures commence.”

Francis Bourgeois, meanwhile, is a household name in the world of trainspotting, with nearly six million followers on social media. But there’s more to Bourgeois than meets the eye: he’s a qualified mechanical engineer with experience at Rolls-Royce and an uncanny ability to identify a car’s make by the sound of its engine alone. His infectious enthusiasm and technical know-how promise to bring a fresh energy to the show. Bourgeois acknowledged the challenge ahead with characteristic humor, saying, “The saying ‘big shoes to fill’ springs to mind. Well, in this case it’ll be like Mo Farah running in Size 14 wellies — it’ll be a little awkward at first, perhaps blister inducing but will overall be an interesting watch.”

Thomas Holland, the third member of the new team, didn’t shy away from poking fun at the daunting task of replacing the original trio. “When I first heard they were rebooting The Grand Tour and replacing Clarkson Hammond and May, I said, ‘Only a moron would take that job.’” Yet, here he is, ready to take the wheel alongside his longtime collaborator and their new partner-in-crime.

The original hosts’ departure was felt deeply by fans around the world. Their final episode, titled “One For The Road,” saw Clarkson, Hammond, and May embark on a last epic road trip across Africa, visiting Zimbabwe and Botswana—a fitting send-off for a team whose adventures have spanned continents and captured imaginations. As reported by National World, Clarkson explained to The Times of London that their exit was a natural conclusion: “I’ve driven cars higher than anyone else and further north than anyone else. We’ve done everything you can do with a car. When we had meetings about what to do next, people just threw their arms in the air.”

Hammond echoed the sentiment in an interview with GB News, emphasizing the importance of leaving on their own terms: “The key thing on that whole issue [is] we had decided years ago that we wanted to be in control. Having set off on this incredible adventure that none of us thought would ever come our way, we all wanted to be the ones — and I don't just mean us three, all of us— to decide when and where and how we landed it, and we have done.” May, for his part, cited exhaustion and a desire not to overstay their welcome, telling The Standard, “We’d exhausted the subject, we are getting on a bit. I believe it’s time for a new generation to find a new take—I don’t know what it is.”

The new series, produced by Studio Lambert, promises to honor the legacy of its predecessors while forging a new path. Executive Producer Tim Harcourt highlighted the show’s enduring appeal, noting, “The Grand Tour has humour and a pure love of cars at its heart. It’s been a delight to find and film a brilliant new trio who take these values across the world from Angola and Malaysia to California and Didcot Parkway.” Andy Wilman, another executive producer, expressed confidence in the new team: “We are properly happy to hand over the baton to Thomas, James and Francis, because quite simply – they are doing it right. Not only do they have passion and knowledge, but more importantly they are in no way cardboard cutouts of the old three. They have a delightful chemistry that’s all of their own making.”

So, what can fans expect from this new era? The upcoming six episodes will see the presenters facing both “motoring’s most pressing, and delightfully absurd, questions,” as they traverse deserts, jungles, and highways. Whether it’s crossing the Angolan desert in track cars, exploring Malaysia’s vibrant car scene, or testing America’s latest performance machines in California, the new team is poised to deliver the kind of spectacle and camaraderie that made The Grand Tour a global phenomenon in the first place.

With the original trio’s blessing and a production team determined to balance tradition with innovation, The Grand Tour’s next chapter looks set to captivate both die-hard fans and curious newcomers. The world will be watching as Engelsman, Holland, and Bourgeois take the wheel—awkward wellies and all.