US version of Top Gear on the way from BBC America

BBC America has ordered an American version of hit UK show Top Gear, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

An eight-episode season of Top Gear America will transport the motoring format stateside with actor William Fichtner, whose credits include Prison Break, Armageddon and Crash, leading the new lineup. He’ll be joined by drag racer Antron Brown and journalist/presenter Tom “Wookie” Ford.

“We are big fans of the mix of cars, credibility and charisma that adds up to the winning formula for Top Gear, and couldn’t be happier that BBCA is now the home for the franchise in the US, with Top Gear America joining the original show on our network,” said the network’s president, Sarah Barnett. “Bill, Antron and Wookie are serious gear heads who never take themselves too seriously. It will be quite the trip.”

It’s the third attempt to try to make the show work in America, following a high-profile NBC pilot in 2008 with Adam Carolla that was ultimately canned and five seasons of a version for the History Channel which recently ended.

The British show originally started in 1977 before a relaunch in 2002 and became the most widely watched factual TV programme in the world. Yet after controversy surrounding presenter Jeremy Clarkson, it was brought back with a new team of hosts, including Matt LeBlanc, and negative reviews.

“Things don’t happen overnight,” said Barnett of the most recent iteration. “I think that the [new] presenters are really talented and developing their chemistry. But it’s tough when you have that level of scrutiny that the show had last season. Nothing can withstand that.”