Billy Connolly will criss-cross the US by train, seeking out outlaws, singers, fighters and dreamers, in a three-part series produced by 7Wonder.
Commissioned by ITV, the show will follow the comedian/actor as he visits 28 states, starting and finishing in New York.
Billy Connolly's Tracks Across America is a sequel to his 2011 ITV series Billy Connolly’s Route 66, in which he travelled along the famous Route 66..
Launched last year, 7Wonder is a joint venture between the Seven Network and former Maverick Television executives Alexandra Fraser, Liza Abbott and Simon Ellse which creates TV programs and formats for the UK market.
The Connolly series, which was commissioned by Jo Clinton-Davis, ITV controller of factual and Richard Klein, director of factual, will screen here on Seven. Shooting is due to start in August.
The director is Mike Reilly, who worked on Billy Connolly’s Route 66 and Billy Connolly’s Big Send Off. The series producer is Michelle Crowther, who made Micky Flanagan's Detour De France, produced by 7Wonder for Sky One.
Jo Clinton-Davis said: “Billy’s infectious joy at discovering new experiences and meeting new people makes every journey he does with us an exceptional ride. And his passion for seeking out the spirit of the US in all its richly varied forms makes him the perfect guide to take us on this iconic trip.”
Executive producer for 7 Wonder Steve Condie said: “The comic brilliance and infectious curiosity of Billy Connolly plus the drama and glory of heartland America – what's not to love?"
In March, the UK's Sky Arts commissioned 7Wonder and Lenny Henry’s Douglas Road Productions to co-produce a three-part documentary series called Lenny Henry’s Got The Blues, as Henry sets out to reveal why the UK has never produced a single black blues singer of international standing.