Series synopsis
James May's Great Explorers is a British documentary television series that premiered on 5 on February 13, 2025. It ended on February 27, 2025. It stars James May.
There was a time, before football and rock'n'roll, when explorers were the A-listers of their day. Death-defying antics and tales of daring made them the stuff of legend: names like Columbus, Raleigh, and Cook, who sailed off over the horizon to discover new lands and bring home treasures unimaginable to those sitting at home in dark, damp Europe.
Intrepid explorers they may have been, but ‘great' might be pushing it. Across the seven seas, they spilled blood and spread disease. They enabled ...
Premise
There was a time, before football and rock'n'roll, when explorers were the A-listers of their day. Death-defying antics and tales of daring made them the stuff of legend: names like Columbus, Raleigh, and Cook, who sailed off over the horizon to discover new lands and bring home treasures unimaginable to those sitting at home in dark, damp Europe.
Intrepid explorers they may have been, but ‘great' might be pushing it. Across the seven seas, they spilled blood and spread disease. They enabled the destruction of civilisations and the growth of slavery. And many of their ‘discoveries' weren't quite what you'd think...
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- James May as James May
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 3 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 3 | February 13, 2025 | February 27, 2025 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Christopher Columbus James rewrites stories of the greatest explorers in his inimitable, entertaining way, beginning with Columbus, and discovering how he merely 'stumbled across' two continents and took the spoils. |
February 13, 2025 |
| 2 |
Sir Walter Raleigh James May uncovers the truth behind Sir Walter Raleigh's legendary rise - from his persuasive skills to his New World ventures - and reveals the dark legacy of his explorations. |
February 20, 2025 |
| 3 |
Captain Cook In his unique style, James explores Captain Cook's rise to naval captain and his legacy - even experiencing first-hand his own apprenticeship aboard a tall ship. |
February 27, 2025 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | 5 |
|---|---|
| First aired | February 13, 2025 |
| Last aired | February 27, 2025 |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Thursday at 21:00:00 |