New This Week: Destination X
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1 week ago
Everything you need to know before you tune in
While we eagerly await The Traitors series 4 (and the very first edition of Celebrity The Traitors), it’s time to turn our attention to pastures new. Here’s everything we know so far about a brand new reality competition series coming to the BBC very soon, Destination X.
Destination X: Plot, Host, Release Schedule
What Is The Premise?
Destination X will be akin to a real life boardgame, according to the BBC. It combines adventure travel and gameplay, creating an immersive guessing game; think Race Across the World meets The Traitors.
‘Welcome to a game where nowhere is as it seems,’ host Rob Brydon teases in the trailer. ‘Thirteen players and one dashing host take a mind melting trip across Europe. The question is: where the X am I?’
The premise is thus: 13 contestants embark on a road trip, but they have no idea where they are. In order to win, they must figure this out. Travelling on a blacked-out bus, they will be offered clever clues to help discern the location – but only the savviest contestants will tell the red herrings from the truth.
The host will deliver clues to the contestants from afar, posted throughout the series at the titular Destination X – and Welsh comedian Rob Brydon has been revealed as the man the contestants will be working their way towards.
At the end of each episode, the contestants will guess where they are; the person with a guess furthest away from the actual location will be eliminated from the game. The first player to reach Destination X will be crowned the winner – and awarded a cash prize.
Take a look at the trailer below for an idea of what’s in store.
Sounds intriguing. One facet we are particularly excited for is that Destination X will also be kept a secret from the audience – so we can play along at home as the game unfolds.
‘How could I turn down the opportunity to become the mastermind of Destination X, the thrilling new travel adventure series coming to the BBC next year?’ the Gavin & Stacey star said on his casting as the presenter. ‘It’s a show that turns the whole of Europe into a board game – manipulating the players and the audience at home along the way. I can’t wait to be the puppet master orchestrating every twist and turn as our contestants are taken on a journey where everything is not as it seems. It’s going to be a wild ride!’
‘We are so delighted to have Rob Brydon as the host and puppet master of this incredible series,’ adds Dan Adamson of production company Twofour. ‘Playful, smart and mischievous, we know Rob will strike the perfect tone and be the very best guide for our cast and audience alike, as they embark on a journey like no other.’
Step aside Claudia Winkleman – a new chaotic and conniving host is in town.
What Is It Based On?
Destination X is based on a Belgian series, which boasted a whopping 42 percent chunk of TV viewership figures when it first launched in 2023. The English adaptation follows the huge success of The Traitors, which itself is based on a Dutch competition series, De Verraders.
‘It’s amazing to see how Destination X has literally taken off since its launch!’ shares Gepke Nederlof, MD of global distribution company, Be-Entertainment. ‘It’s a true adventure both in and outside of the Destination X bus.’
The British version was announced concurrently with a US version, which kicked off at the end of May.
Destination X Release Date
Destination X will premiere on Wednesday 30 July 2025 at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The series will be made up of 10 episodes, with two episodes airing weekly on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. The release schedule is as follows:
- Episode 1: 9pm Wednesday 30 July 2025
- Episode 2: 9pm Thursday 31 July 2025
- Episode 3: 9pm Wednesday 6 August 2025
- Episode 4: 9pm Thursday 7 August 2025
- Episode 5: 9pm Wednesday 13 August 2025
- Episode 6: 9pm Thursday 14 August 2025
- Episode 7: 9pm Wednesday 20 August 2025
- Episode 8: 9pm Thursday 21 August 2025
- Episode 9: 9pm Wednesday 27 August 2025
- Episode 10: 9pm Wednesday 28 August 2025
Once they have aired, episodes will be available for catch up on BBC iPlayer.
