British travel presenter and author Simon Reeve is returning to television screens with a brand new three-part series exploring Scandinavia, and it begins in Norway.
Titled Scandinavia with Simon Reeve, the documentary series will air on BBC Two and iPlayer in the UK from 18 May, 2025.
It promises to go far beyond stereotypes of flat-pack furniture and fairy-tale landscapes to reveal the complexities and contradictions of this vast northern region.
Who is Simon Reeve?
For those unfamiliar with his work, Simon Reeve is a bestselling British travel author and television presenter known for combining adventurous journeys with in-depth reporting.
His previous BBC series have taken him from the jungles of the Congo to the shores of the Indian Ocean and across the world's last great wildernesses.
Reeve is admired for his immersive, boots-on-the-ground style of storytelling, where he often uncovers the political, social, and environmental realities behind postcard-perfect destinations. Now, he turns his attention to the Nordic countries.
A Journey Through the North
The new series follows Reeve as he travels from the far north of the Arctic to the southern shores of the Baltic, shining a light on one of Europe’s wealthiest and most progressive regions, and revealing some surprising truths along the way.
In the first episode, Reeve begins his journey on the remote Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, known for its frozen wilderness and polar bears. From there, he heads south into Lapland, the icy region spanning northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
In this leg, he visits NATO’s longest land border with Russia, exploring how even Santa’s Village is preparing for possible conflict amid heightened regional tensions.
The second episode focuses on Norway’s iconic fjords, before Reeve crosses the North Atlantic to visit Iceland. Here, he explores a land shaped by both fire and ice.
It’s a place of stunning natural beauty and growing geopolitical importance, dubbed “the Kuwait of Europe” due to its energy resources, but also plagued by volcanic threats.
The final episode brings Reeve to Sweden and Denmark, nations often celebrated for their happiness, equality and quality of life.
However, the presenter delves deeper to reveal the “surprising and sometimes shocking” challenges facing these Scandinavian societies today, including political shifts, social inequality, and pressures from immigration.
More Than a Scenic Journey
According to the BBC announcement, the series will uncover “a hidden side to what has become one of the most important frontiers of Europe,” particularly in light of recent geopolitical changes such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the expansion of NATO in the north.
“I know we’ll find situations, people, landscapes and facts that make my jaw drop,” said Reeve. “Scandinavia is vast, rugged and one of the most beautiful regions on the planet. It’s much more than just candles, reliable cars and hygge.”
The three-part series is produced by The Garden (part of ITV Studios) for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, and was commissioned by BBC News’ Long Form team as part of a wider commitment to thoughtful, issue-driven travel journalism.
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While the initial broadcast is set for the UK, many of Reeve’s previous shows have been syndicated internationally or later released on platforms such as YouTube, so viewers outside the UK should keep an eye out for ways to watch.
