The new show will launch next year and will be produced by former “Top Gear” executive Andy Wilman. The global deal commits the team to three seasons of the show, which is as yet unnamed. Work on the first season is set to start in the autumn.
Clarkson’s team is believed to have been attracted to Amazon by the promise of creative freedom, which was underscored by Marine. “Our approach is to give program-makers creative freedom to be innovative and make the shows they want to make,” Marine said.
On working with Amazon, Clarkson said: “I feel like I’ve climbed out of a bi-plane and into a spaceship.” May added: “We have become part of the new age of smart TV. Ironic, isn’t it?” Hammond joked: “Amazon? Oh yes. I have already been there. I got bitten by a bullet ant.