Bear Grylls Headshot - H 2014
AP Images/InvisionBear Grylls has scored a new show at Discovery.
The British survival expert, currently toplining NBC’s Running Wild With Bear Grylls, is switching gears for a six-episode, hourlong Discovery Networks International series challenging everyday people to face their fears, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
In Bear Grylls: Breaking Point, Grylls will be joined by two ordinary people who have a serious phobia or personal obstacle to overcome, from the common (rats, spiders, insects) to the bizarre (trees, water). After Grylls observes and evaluates them as they set off on their own in the wilderness for 24 hours, they will then endure a grueling two-day challenge with the adventurer. Production begins in a few weeks.
At the moment, Breaking Point — produced by production company Betty — is expected to air on Discovery networks worldwide in the first quarter of 2015, reaching more than 220 countries and territories, with the exception of the U.S. Discovery Networks International’s Sarah Davies and Tom Sheahan are executive producers, with David Harrison as producer.
Grylls has been a valuable part of the Discovery family, having starred in Man vs. Wild for seven seasons before it was canceled in 2011 and Worst-Case Scenario in 2010. He temporarily parted ways with Discovery following Man vs. Wild’s cancellation, but returned in late 2013 with Escape From Hell.
Discovery has also two other unscripted shows, both airing on Discovery networks worldwide, and renewed Manhunt — produced by Discovery Studios with Davis as EP — for a second season with ex-Navy SEAL Joel Lambert to begin airing next year.
New six-episode series Tethered, premiering Oct. 5 on Discovery in the U.S., tests man’s ability to survive in the most challenging terrain and environments on the planet — all while tied to a complete stranger. Sharp Entertainment produces, with Davies, Matt Sharp, Dan Adler and Peter Goetz executive producing. Marion Haberman is producer.
The second greenlight is the six-episode Man vs. Expert, hosted by Alexis Conran, which uses the appeal of magic — anchored in real-world situations — to give viewers the inside story on how to pull one over on the pros. Magnum Media is behind the series, which is executive produced by Discovery Networks International’s Elizabeth McIntyre, Helen Hawken, Andy Auerbach and Dean Nabarro. It is being eyed for a premiere in the first quarter of 2015.
“Our upcoming factual productions for the rest of 2014 and into 2015 are some of the most innovative to date,” said Davies. “The storytelling and adventure that is at the heart of Discovery programming will keep the audience entertained and wowed. And the extraordinary talent we feature — dynamic personalities like Bear and Joel — as well as the ordinary people with incredible stories and will are absolutely amazing and, most of all, genuine.”
“Our factual pipeline continues to pump out the best and brightest ideas,” added McIntyre. “The strong relationships with the creative community we have forged sets our content apart from the competition, allowing us to break ground in nontraditional genres and invest in our audiences worldwide.”
