Richard E. Grant's Very Modern Odyssey

Aired 2026-08-02

His 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.

Aired 2026-08-09

Richard 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.

Aired 2026-08-16

Richard 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.

Aired 2026-08-30

On 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.