Series
Richard E. Grant's Very Modern Odyssey
Documentary
In celebration of the biggest movie release of this summer - Christopher Nolans' The Odyssey, Richard E. Grant recreates the route of Odysseus' 20-year voyage, travelling to Malta, Sicily, Italy, Tunisia, Turkey, Corfu and Ithaca, exploring the ancient worlds and modern places which formed the inspiration for Homer’s masterpiece.
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Seasons & episodes
Actor Richard E. Grant embarks on a Mediterranean adventure in search of the locations that inspired Homer’s Odyssey.
1Malta & Troy2 Aug 2026 · 47mHis journey begins in Malta, the island that many people believe was the paradise ruled by the goddess Calypso. He visits a megalithic temple older than the pyramids before heading to Türkiye, to trace the origins of Odysseus's journey at the legendary ruins of Troy.
2Sicily9 Aug 2026 · 47mRichard arrives on Sicily, the home of Cyclops, where he cooks with a Duchess in Palermo, climbs a volcano, discovers the secrets of an ancient temple and performs in an amphitheatre.
3Djerba, Tunisia16 Aug 2026 · 47mRichard explores the markets and ancient craftsmanship of Tunisia’s island of Djerba, immersing himself in bustling Arabic markets and trying his hand at Amazigh pottery, ancient Jewish craftsmanship and one of the world’s oldest forms of fishing. Djerba is said to be home to the lotus eaters, so Richard sets out to discover the mythical lotus fruit that supposedly made Odysseus’s sailors forget their journey home. He then heads to Italy’s west coast in search of the enchantress Circe, who bewitched Odysseus.
4Corfu30 Aug 2026 · 47mOn Corfu, Richard learns about the Greek island's embattled past, and cooks lunch for Lee Durrell, widow of legendary zoologist and conservationist Gerald Durrell, who wrote My Family and Other Animals. Richard also brushes up on his archery skills before finally landing at Odysseus's home of Ithaca.
Details
- First aired
- 2 Aug 2026
- Last aired
- 30 Aug 2026
- Status
- Returning Series
- Language
- English
- Network
- Channel 4
- Episodes
- 4
Cast
Richard E. GrantSelf - Presenter
