The Grand Tour is officially entering a new era – and the trio tasked with filling Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May’s sizeable tyre tracks are urging long-time fans to keep an open mind.
Francis Bourgeois, Thomas Holland and James Engelman have been unveiled as the new faces of Prime Video’s flagship motoring programme, sending ripples of both excitement and concern through a devoted fanbase. Holland, speaking to The Update Desk, acknowledged the weight of expectation but asked viewers to give the fresh lineup a genuine chance.
“The only thing I’d say is, ‘Give it a go.’ You don’t have to like it, but we’re pretty sure you will,” he said. “Concerns are totally justified, considering the legacy we’re stepping into.”
From YouTube Garage to Prime Video
Holland and Engelman have built their reputation through Throttle House, a YouTube channel they launched in 2015. Holland, who hails from Canada and studied biology, initially started the channel as a side project born from boredom, focusing on BMW builds and car reviews. When Engelman came on board in 2018 after pitching ideas and requesting involvement at a Miata car owners’ gathering, the channel found its rhythm and began accumulating a substantial following.
“We’ve been doing this for years on YouTube – talking while driving, engaging with the camera,” Holland explained. “It really is a skill, but Francis, somehow, does it perfectly.”
Bourgeois, the third piece of the puzzle, arrived with an unconventional background. Before his meteoric rise as a social media personality through infectiously enthusiastic train spotting videos on TikTok and Instagram, he spent six months working as a mechanical engineer at Rolls-Royce.
“James and I are used to that kind of dual-tasking,” Engelman added. “But Francis walked in on day one, you put him in the car, the camera’s on him, and he delivers nuanced, elite explanations for how the vehicle feels. It’s remarkable.”
Paying Homage to the Original Trio
The incoming hosts are under no illusions about the cultural impact of Clarkson, Hammond and May. All three original presenters will appear as cameo guests in the upcoming season – a gesture that signals both blessing and continuity.
“We have the same nostalgia,” Engelman said. “The same rose-tinted glasses. We loved the original show – we’re huge fans through and through.”
Bourgeois echoed the sentiment, insisting the team has approached the project with respect and dedication. “I feel like we’ve gone into it and done the best job we can do.”
Holland confessed to experiencing “a lot of trepidation and fear” when first considering the role, but revealed the original hosts have been nothing but supportive throughout the transition.
The Grand Tour returns to screens on Friday 4 September.
Why it Matters
The Grand Tour has been far more than a car show – it’s been a cultural touchstone that reshaped how audiences engage with automotive content, comedy and travel journalism combined. As streaming platforms compete fiercely for viewers’ attention, Prime Video’s decision to continue the franchise with fresh talent rather than quietly retiring it speaks to the enduring commercial value of the format. Yet the challenge is considerable: Clarkson, Hammond and May cultivated a chemistry built over decades of collaboration. Whether Bourgeois, Holland and Engelman can replicate that magic – or forge their own distinct appeal – will be closely watched by the industry. Their success or struggle will signal whether beloved formats can truly be reborn, or whether some legacies are best left untouched.
