Michael Portillo fronting four new Great Railway Journey series
Michael Portillo will showcase the beauty of four idyllic destinations on multiple Great Railway Journey series across April and May on BBC Two.
Michael Portillo is fronting four new Great Railway Journey series.
The 72-year-old broadcaster will showcase the beauty of Japan, South Korea, Central Asia and Continental Europe as he returns to the rails across April and May on BBC Two and iPlayer.
Michael said: "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!”
Great Japanese Railway Journeys begins its run on April 13, and viewers will join Michael in checking out the likes of Kyushu's volcanic landscapes, Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park, and Tokyo's vast urban system.
Also in the 15-part series, he will explore how the railway has shaped a modern Japan, in which technological innovation and long-held tradition sit side by side.
Michael then travels the length of South Korea in Great Korean Railway Journeys on May 4.
The five-part series kicks off in the Korean Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) - a 160-mile-long buffer zone that divides North and South Korea - before Michael explores the hustle and bustle of Seoul.
The former Conservative Party Member of Parliament (MP) showcases the high-speed train network, which he uses to venture beyond the South Korean capital, highlighting the country's dominant force in technology and culture, as well as ancient royal sites.
The heart of Great Korean Railway Journeys is the stories of resilience, reinvention and national identity.
Michael then heads East through Uzbekistan in Great Central Asian Railway Journeys on May 11.
The five-part series sees the star cross deserts and venture through historic cities as he explores how Central Asia was shaped by empire, trade and faith.
Michael also looks at how modern railways connected places that were previously at the crossroads of the world.
And the journalist terminates his mammoth railway adventure in Europe with Great Continental Railway Journeys on May 18.
The 15-part series documents Michael's route from the Mediterranean to the plains of Central Europe, beginning in Sardinia and Corsica.
He then heads north through Belgium, from Brussels and Flanders to Wallonia and the Ardennes.
And Michael's journey ends in Hungary, from the Austrian border to Budapest and across the Great Plain.
Across his Continental Europe trip, he uncovers defining moments in European history alongside enduring cultural traditions.
Alex McLeod, Commissioning Editor for BBC Daytime, said: "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."
The Great Railway Journeys is produced by Naked West, a Fremantle label.
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, added: "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."
