Netflix yet to commission second season of Tour de France: Unchained documentary
Plans also 'discussed' for women's Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift race series
![Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard at Tour de France 2022](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6HCYaKXQg6rG8kdNaAAvmK-415-80.jpg)
The producers of the new Netflix series Tour de France: Unchained are still waiting for the second season to be commissioned, less than three weeks before the 2023 race begins.
The first season, which was produced by Quadbox and Box To Box Films, came out last week, and was met with praise from the cycling community.
Speaking to Cycling Weekly, executive producer James Gay-Rees revealed he is yet to receive the green light for season two, even though filming has begun.
“We’re just doing a bit of development basically,” he said. “We won’t know if we’re making it until a bit later. At the same time, we can’t entirely wait until then, because it will be too late. So we have to do a little bit of gentle development now, just to make sure that we’re there or thereabouts if it does get greenlit.
“It hasn’t been commissioned yet, so fingers crossed. But if we were to get it, there would be a slightly different blend of teams, some returning characters, some not probably. You can’t make the same show over and over again.”
For season one, camera crews embedded within seven teams at the 2022 Tour de France, capturing behind-the-scenes footage and exclusive interviews.
Notably absent was UAE Team Emirates, the squad of two-time champion Tadej Pogačar, whose presence is felt at an arm’s length.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“I think they had various reasons for [not taking part],” Gay-Rees explained, before adding that he hopes the team will be involved in a potential second season. “You can live in hope,” he said.
Asked what more viewers can expect from future seasons, the producer said: “Maybe a little bit more insight into the private lives, the non-racing lives that we got last time, just to kind of humanise [the riders] a bit more. I think it's very much through the lens of the actual set piece at the moment."
Gay-Rees also revealed that plans have been discussed for a series surrounding the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
“I’m not sure if we’re going to have the chance to do it this year," he said, "but I know it has been discussed.
“It would be its own separate thing, I imagine. That is a conversation that hopefully will happen at some point in the near future.”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is the host of The TT Podcast, which covers both the men's and women's pelotons and has featured a number of prominent British riders.
An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.
He's also fluent in French and Spanish and holds a master's degree in International Journalism.
-
Unbound Gravel lottery opens two months early, ensuring riders are 'more prepared than ever'
Registration for the 2025 Unbound Gravel will open on Friday, November 1, 2024, and close two weeks later, on November 15. Lottery winners will be announced on November 21, 2024.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Star triathlete Taylor Knibb to take on world's fastest cyclists in the Olympic time trial
Colorado-based 26-year-old Taylor Knibb will be representing Team USA in both the individual time trial and triathlon at the Paris Olympics.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Coppi, Pantani, Van Vleuten, Pogačar: A look at the Giro-Tour double winners club
Tadej Pogačar has now officially joined the club, becoming the eighth man to achieve one of professional cycling’s most sought after accolades
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
How do Tour de France time cuts work?
Any riders finishing too far behind are eliminated from the race - we look into the details of the complicated system
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Tour de France Netflix series confirmed for third season
Unchained series renewed with upcoming season to cover 2024 Tour
By Tom Davidson Published
-
13 things you didn’t know about Biniam Girmay, the first Black rider to win a Tour de France stage
Meet the Eritrean rider making history with three Tour de France stage wins to his name and wearing the green jersey
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
12 things you didn’t know about American Matteo Jorgenson, Vingegaard's lieutenant at the Tour
The Team Visma-Lease a Bike rider is one of just three Americans riding in the Tour de France this year but he's got a lot of responsibility
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
'There's always wine' - Marc Madiot offers unique dinner experience for fans at Tour de France
Ever wanted to share a bottle of wine with Groupama-FDJ's manager? Now's your chance
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tour de France 2024 tech: New superbikes, unreleased wheels and aero bottles
There's fresh tech everywhere in the team paddocks of the biggest bike race in the world
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Jan Hirt breaks teeth after fans invade team paddock at Tour de France
Soudal Quick-Step rider starts stage despite bloody injury
By Tom Davidson Published