The BBC is reportedly in early talks to revive Top Gear, four years after the show was put on indefinite hiatus. According to The Sun, comedian Jimmy Carr is the frontrunner to host a new iteration, which could debut as early as next year.
An unnamed source told the publication that “production have their sights set on Jimmy” and are considering adding “a woman and online celebrities” to the lineup. The BBC declined to comment on the speculation.
Why the original worked—and why this might not
The original Top Gear, led by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, became a global phenomenon not because of its hosts’ comedic chops alone, but because they were car journalists first. Their chemistry and deep knowledge of automotive culture made the show feel authentic, even when the humor didn’t age well.
Most attempts to replace them have struggled to replicate that balance. Chris Harris, an automotive journalist and YouTuber, was a rare bright spot in the post-Clarkson era. Chris Evans, a radio host and Ferrari collector, lasted just one season. Sabine Schmitz, a race car driver, became a fan favorite, while Matt LeBlanc was serviceable but often felt like an actor playing a role rather than a genuine enthusiast.
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Carr, by contrast, is a stand-up comedian and panel show regular whose humor leans into controversy. He first appeared on Top Gear in 2004 as a celebrity guest, setting a lap record in the show’s Suzuki Liana. He’s since described himself as a “real car buff” and took delivery of an EV-swapped Aston Martin DB6 last year. But his background is in entertainment, not automotive journalism—a distinction that could matter to longtime fans.
What’s next for the franchise
The timing of the rumored revival is notable. Amazon’s The Grand Tour, the Clarkson-Hammond-May follow-up, is set to release a new season soon. The trailer suggests a return to form, raising questions about whether the BBC is rushing to compete rather than rethinking what made Top Gear special in the first place.
If Carr is indeed the choice, the move would reflect a familiar pattern: prioritizing star power over the niche expertise that once defined the show. That approach hasn’t worked before, but the BBC hasn’t shown much interest in breaking the cycle.
The network’s silence on the rumors leaves room for doubt. For now, the only certainty is that Top Gear’s legacy remains tied to its original trio—and no reboot has come close to matching it.