Jeffrey Dean Morgan, known for his iconic roles in The Walking Dead and The Boys, is set to embark on a new adventure as the host of NBC’s upcoming reality competition series, titled Destination X. This marks Morgan’s first foray into the unscripted television genre, adding another exciting chapter to his diverse career. The series is currently in production, as per Deadline.
Destination X is an innovative reality competition series based on a popular Belgian format created by a company called Geronimo. It challenges the contestants to figure out their location in the world based on certain clues placed strategically on the Destination X bus, which they board without knowing where it’s headed. There are various twists designed to mislead them along the way.
The official logline of Destination X describes it as a “real-life game board” where players must push their mind and body because “at the end of each episode, contestants must guess where they are and the furthest from the actual location is sent packing.” Morgan, who is captivated by “its blend of travel, mystery, and gaming,” shared his excitement with Deadline by saying:
“I can’t wait to embark on this wild guessing game across the globe as Master of Ceremony, navigating players through challenges that test their mental and physical abilities.”
The U.S. version of Destination X will be produced by Twofour, part of ITV Studios, and Universal Television Alternative Studio, a division of Universal Studio Group. The NBC production team includes Caroline Davies, Andy Cadman, Dan Adamson and David Clews. Morgan will also executive produce. Corie Henson, Executive Vice President of Unscripted Content, Competition and Game Shows for NBCUniversal Entertainment, praised Morgan’s involvement, stating, “Jeffrey Dean Morgan embodies the mischievous international man of mystery, making him the perfect host and puppet master for this new travel adventure series.”
The Everlasting Appeal of Reality TV
With the constant evolution of reality TV since its inception, there has been a shift in the format of competition shows as well. The genre has gone from delivering simple observational formats to complex game-show styles and seen immense popularity in recent years. Where survival shows like Survivor launched the wave for competition, The Amazing Raceset the standard for adventure. Similarly, cooking shows like MasterChef, Hell’s Kitchen, and The Great British Bake Off hooked audiences with their culinary challenges. The genre’s ability to adapt and innovate is what’s kept it relevant for so long.
The current landscape of reality TV is diverse, and it features a range of themes and formats. Squid Game: The Challenge, a high-stakes game where real-life contestants compete in children’s games, is the perfect example of a show that tests a contestant’s endurance in extreme conditions. Even popular shows like The Circle and Nailed It! have introduced fresh concepts and merged social media dynamics to their format.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s entry into the reality TV competition space is testament to the genre’s broad appeal. Known for his roles in Grey’s Anatomy, Supernatural, The Good Wife, Texas Rising, and more, he brings a wealth of experience to the unusual arena of Destination X. With Morgan as the host, the show is poised to become a standout addition to NBC’s current lineup.
