Race Across the World Series Six Review: Still Reality TV Gold and a Total Pleasure
The sixth series of BBC's flagship show Race Across the World has launched, and it remains a powerful harbinger of spring on British television, arguably replacing daffodils as a seasonal marker. From a chalk-and-cheese duo obsessed with custard creams to in-laws who reconciled after a family tragedy, viewers are in for another journey of big emotions and gripping adventures.
A Hysterical Opening Sets the Stage
The opening sequence is suitably dramatic, featuring ice, a bear loping across a vast white tundra, and closeups of a snow leopard, with heavy breathing and screams that might suggest a Paul Greengrass thriller. However, the words "51 Days Earlier" appear, Volare starts playing, and the scene shifts to sunny Palermo, Sicily—the southern Italian city conquered more than any other in Europe. This is where the starting line for Race Across the World is set, marking the beginning of an epic journey.
The Simple Yet Brilliant Premise
For those unfamiliar, the premise is simple and brilliant: five intrepid duos are deposited in one part of the world and must travel to another unfathomably faraway destination with only the cash equivalent of an airfare. They surrender their phones and bank cards, relying solely on a GPS tracker and a comically unfoldable map. The money must cover all expenses—bed, board, and transport—with opportunities to earn extra by working shifts in restaurants or hotels. The winners receive £20,000, adding a competitive edge to the adventure.
The Destination and Route
This series' destination is Hatgal, a little-known town on the northern edge of Mongolia, approximately 12,000km away via seven checkpoints. The route crosses eight countries and traces the historic Silk Road. The cost of flying this distance is £1,297, equating to just £23.16 per person per day. While the youngest contestants, Jo and Kush, believe this is totally doable, others view it as a total nightmare, setting up a dynamic of optimism versus realism.
Meet the Contestants
Jo and Kush, both 19 and from Liverpool, are hilarious and confident. Jo asserts, "Scousers are the perfect people for the job. We're not shy, like, to say hello to someone in the street." Their plan for directions involves casually approaching strangers with phrases like, "Babe, you alright there love?" They concede that other teams may have more experience, but their enthusiasm is infectious.
Katie and Harrison are a chalk-and-cheese sibling duo. Katie, a fount of reality-TV-gold, quips, "who needs a custard cream when you've got cannoli?" while Harrison is mad for custard creams, leading to frequent discussions about the biscuits. In the first episode, they blow 4% of their budget on a ferry to Naples, with Katie despairing over a bite on her face the size of "Mount Edna" and declaring it a "peak cussie cream" situation.
Mark and Margo are in-laws with a complex history. Mark, a retired architect, is uptight, while Margo, a clinical hypnotherapist, is endlessly bubbly and game for anything, from joining a flashmob dance on a ferry deck to stopping for an Italian busker singing Pink Floyd. Margo admits, "If I'm being honest, for a lot of years I just thought he was boring." They bonded while caring for Mark's wife—Margo's sister—during her final illness three years ago. By the end of the first episode, they are clinking water cups in Alberobello, with Mark quietly thanking Margo for her joie de vivre and unwavering commitment.
Puja and Roshni, cousins from London, are determined to break free from the conservatism of their upbringings and unleash their wanderlust. Andrew and Molly, a father and daughter from County Derry, complete the lineup. Andrew loves timetables and tectonic plates, while Molly finds him a bit of a control freak, creating the perfect Race Across the World dynamic.
The First Episode's Challenge
The initial episode sees all teams racing to reach the first checkpoint: Fiskardo, a Greek village on the northern tip of Kefalonia. It's fascinating to observe the different routes, priorities, and chances taken by each team, highlighting the strategic elements of the competition.
Why This Show Remains Compelling
Race Across the World is perfect television for those who prefer their reality TV slow, kind, sincere, and devoid of humiliation. The pleasures of this entertaining, gripping, and moving show are unexpectedly deep. Curiously, for a series about the vast diversity of the world, it feels uniquely British. Viewers enjoy armchair travelling, mild irritation at contestants' quirks—such as the geography teacher's dad-splaining or the uptight in-law's penchant for a "modesty cocoon"—and an intense focus on regional British characters without stereotyping. As we race alongside these relatable individuals on what genuinely becomes the journey of a lifetime, we share in their big feelings and adventures.
Race Across the World aired on BBC One and is available on iPlayer for those eager to catch up or rewatch the excitement.
