The Belgian TV show is coming to the UK (Picture: Geronimo)
The Traitors has a huge fatal flaw – it doesn’t go on for long enough – and so while we’re enjoying this current series, it’s also important to assess what will be filling the gap.
As well as a celebrity version of The Traitors coming later this year, the BBC have also got a new reality show waiting in the wings and it goes by the name of Destination X. It’s got all the attributes to be the next big thing for us all to consume and analyse in detail in group chats.
Much like the Claudia Winkleman murder mystery game it has already been hugely successful elsewhere in Europe (The Traitors concept was born in The Netherlands), and there’s also a guessing aspect that it shares in common.
Set to air later this year, it’s got a Gavin and Stacey star host, at the forefront too.
Here’s everything you need to know about, potentially, your next obsession…
What is the concept of Destination X?
The reality show is sort of what might happen if Race Across the World and The Traitors had a baby.
Contestants cannot see out of the windows (Picture: Geronimo)
In the series, ten contestants will embark on a epic road trip to some incredible locations, but there’s a catch.
Join Metro’s The Traitors community on WhatsApp
Want to get all the latest news and predictions for the best and most dramatic show this new year? Join our The Traitors WhatsApp channel for live episode coverage, behind-the-scenes gossip and a place to recover from all the cliffhangers.
Simply click on this link, select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in! Don’t forget to turn on notifications!
Thanks to a bus with blacked-out windows, they’ll be completely clueless as to where exactly they are in Europe. To ensure the secret is kept, whenever they leave the bus, competitors will wear masks that blur their vision.
As there are no toilets on board, two vans “piggyback” on the X-bus so they can relieve themselves and wash without seeing anything they shouldn’t. Production really did think of everything.
Their journey will become a real-life boardgame with clues buried in challenges. They need to watch out though as there will be misdirects to keep them, and the viewers, on their toes. For instance, in the very first episode of the original series, they lifted the bus up on a crane and allowed it to swing, fooling some passengers into believing they were on a boat.
Once gameplay is done, the group cannot escape and will live on the bus. The bus has plenty of space for many cameras and microphones to capture every bit of drama, and 10 bunks for the competitors to sleep in.
In order to win, they must figure out where they are and the person furthest away from the correct answer will leave the bus. The first player to reach the final destination, Destination X, will be crowned the winner. It’s going to be quite the wild ride!
What countries already have versions of Destination X?
The interesting concept was first dreamed up in Belgium by Geronimo, and since Bestemming X’s (which translates to, you guessed it, Destination X) launch in 2023 it’s gone on to find a loyal audience.
Airing on Mondays, it consistently won the chosen timeslot with an impressive 42% market share over the first eight episodes (18-44, Consolidated).
Viewers praised the show on social media, Linde Boullart wrote on X (translated from Dutch): ‘Every time you think they can’t think of any better TV shows, they come up with something like #bestemmingx’
Daniël Kooistra added: ‘Just watched the truly fantastic finale of #bestemmingx . Beautiful program, beautiful images (sometimes breathtaking drone shots), epic music, fun games, nice twists. Compliments for the production! On to season 2’
‘Well again it was a fantastic episode, the twists and challenges were really next level,’ weighed in account NielssTuinstra. While Rob Jenkins called it ‘masterful’ in its production.
The format is being distributed globally by Be-Entertainment Later, and France, The Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark all have their own versions.
Now, the UK is hopping on board, and are joined by the US, with their version being produced and hosted by The Walking Dead star Jeffrey Dean Morgan on NBC.
This is the second time that the BBC and NBC have teamed up on a commission, with the first being The Traitors, which went well to say the least. Both will be produced by Twofour, which is part of ITV Studios, and Universal Television Alternative Studio. It will be developed by Syeda Irtizaali, executive producer of The Traitors, which attracted seven million viewers in its last finale – basically, it’s in safe hands.
Kate Phillips, BBC director of unscripted programming, is hoping it can once again be appointment-to-view TV and that it can provide ‘talkability’ in that people want to discuss long after the end credits.
‘It feels very unique and distinctive,’ she explained to The Times, noting they have ‘learned from The Traitors’ in a big way.
She pointed to how ‘the roundtables provide those real heart-in-mouth moments which explore human psychology and how people behave and react to each other’.
Who will be hosting Destination X?
His time on Gavin and Stacey may be done after the ‘perfect’ finale, but BBC are keeping Rob Brydon busy and booked.
Rob will be the host (Picture: BBC/TwoFour)
The actor, known for playing Uncle Bryn on the sitcom, and comedian has been named the host of the adventure reality competition series. Of course, he has got plenty of presenting experience, having managed the chaos on Would I Lie To You? since 2009.
‘How could I turn down the opportunity to become the mastermind of Destination X, the thrilling new travel adventure series coming to the BBC next year,’ Rob said after his appointment.
‘It’s a show that turns the whole of Europe into a board game – manipulating the players and the audience at home along the way. I can’t wait to be the puppet master orchestrating every twist and turn as our contestants are taken on a journey where everything is not as it seems. It’s going to be a wild ride!’ Hey, that was our line!
When will Destination X air?
The BBC have kept things vague thus far, and have just shared that it will be coming to screens at some point in 2025.
Contestant applications closed on September 6 2024, so hopefully filming commenced not too long after the cast had been decided.
Destination X will air on BBC One and iPlayer in 2025
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.