MICHAEL PORTILLO RETURNS TO BBC TWO WITH FOUR BRAND NEW RAILWAY JOURNEYS SERIES THIS SPRING
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BBC Two and Naked West, a Fremantle label, have announced that four brand-new Railway Journeys series will air across April and May, bringing an extended run of programmes that travel across Japan, South Korea, Central Asia and Continental Europe.
Across the run, Michael Portillo will return to the rails for a Spring that spans continents, cultures and centuries of history with Great Japanese Railway Journeys, Great Korean Railway Journeys, Great Central Asian Railway Journeys and Great Continental Railway Journeys.
Great Japanese Railway Journeys opens the run, with a wide-ranging exploration of a country synonymous with rail innovation. The 15x30 series starts with Michael in Osaka, he journeys from Kyoto’s imperial heritage to Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park, from the volcanic landscapes of Kyushu to the vast urban system of Tokyo, before continuing through the Seikan Tunnel to Hokkaido. Along the way, he explores a nation where technological innovation and long-held tradition sit side by side, using the railway to connect stories that have shaped modern Japan.
Great Korean Railway Journeys follows and the 5x30 series sees Michael travel the length of South Korea, beginning in the Demilitarised Zone through Seoul and beyond on high-speed trains exceeding 200 miles per hour.
From a peninsula defined by division and war to a capital transformed by rapid development, he examines South Korea’s emergence as a global force in technology and culture. Visiting ancient royal sites, industrial centres and major ports, and continuing to Busan and Jeju Island, he traces stories of resilience, reinvention and national identity.
Michael then travels through Uzbekistan in Great Central Asian Railway Journeys, tracing routes that echo the ancient Silk Road. This exciting new 5x30 series sees Michael embarking on an epic railway exploration through the heart of Central Asia. Crossing desert landscapes and historic cities, he explores a region shaped by empire, trade and faith. Through encounters along the line, he examines how modern railways now link places that were once at the crossroads of the world.
The run concludes with a new series of Great Continental Railway Journeys. This latest European 15x30 series charts a route from the Mediterranean to the plains of Central Europe. Beginning in Sardinia and Corsica, Michael explores island histories and mountain railways before heading north through Belgium, from Brussels and Flanders to Wallonia and the Ardennes. The journey ends in Hungary, from the Austrian border to Budapest and across the Great Plain, uncovering defining moments in European history alongside enduring cultural traditions.
Great Japanese Railway Journeys airs on BBC Two and iPlayer on 13th April at 6:30pm followed by Great Korean Railway Journeys starting on the 4th May, Great Central Asian Railway Journeys starting on the 11th May and Great Continental Railway Journeys starting on the 18th May. Spanning high-speed engineering, ancient trade routes, island communities and continental capitals, this Spring’s run offers something for every viewer, combining historical insight, contemporary experience and the distinctive perspective that rail travel provides.
Michael Portillo, host, says: "I am delighted that these new journeys are about to reach the screen. From the exemplary rail network of Japan to the glorious architecture of Central Asia and the rich histories of Europe, each trip brought genuine surprises. There is always something new to learn and experience by train. All aboard!”
Alex McLeod, Commissioning Editor for BBC Daytime, adds: ‘I feel like the luckiest first viewer in the world when I watch these journeys. I always learn such a lot about the world we live in and am left with an overwhelming urge to travel and experience the same joy and wonder that Michael does. I hope that our viewers will feel the same way’.
Alison Kreps, Co-Executive Producer for Naked West, a Fremantle label, said: ‘We are thrilled to be bringing four new railway series to BBC Two. Both series build on the strength of the Railways brand while continuing to find fresh stories, perspectives and places to explore”.
John Comerford, Head of Naked West, a Fremantle label, and Co-Executive Producer adds: “It is a real pleasure to continue building on the success of the Railways brand with these four series. Together they take us from Japan and South Korea to Central Asia and across Europe, reflecting the remarkable breadth of the railway story. Each journey allows us to explore new places while delivering the kind of programmes audiences love.”
Great Japanese Railway Journeys, Great Korean Railway Journeys, Great Central Asian Railways and Great Continental Railway Journeys are commissioned for BBC Two and iPlayer by Alex McLeod. Alison Kreps and John Comerford are Executive Producers for Naked West.
