Top Gear America returning on US cable

Just under a year after History ended its US version of Top Gear, BBC America is bringing the format back.

Top Gear America will premiere on AMC Networks-operated BBC America later this year, beginning a new eight-part series.

History had run its version (pictured) between 2010 and 2016, but this stopped after six seasons amid a tumultuous few years for the format that saw its popular British presenting trio – Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May – leave the UK version and later join Amazon Prime Video to launch The Grand Tour.

On BBC America, Top Gear America will follow the same presenting format, with racing enthusiast and TV actor William Fichtner (Crossing Lines), world champion drag racer Antron Brown and British automotive journalist Tom ‘Wookie’ Ford hosting.

BBC Worldwide Productions will produce the show for BBC America, which is currently playing the rebooted British Top Gear in a Sunday evening slot.

“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 BBC America president Sarah Barnett.

“Bill, Antron and Wookie are serious gearheads who never take themselves too seriously. It will be quite the trip.”

The new format will focus on exclusive and state-of-the-art vehicles, cars of the US’s cultural past and weekly celebrity guests, and feature Top Gear test driver The Stig.

Despite ratings falling for the popular UK original, Top Gear remains a huge money-spinner for distributor BBC Worldwide.