“I was surprised at how invested I became” — Destination X creator Rob talks about the idea, challenges, and more behind about the show

When Rob Brydon created Destination X, he had in mind a psychological game of perception, location, and trust rather than only a travel-based competition. In this avant-garde BBC series, competitors board an enigmatic bus that has been blacked out, and they have to use only hints, their gut feelings, and one another to determine their whereabouts. The curve? During the trip, they never truly see the outside world. Initially a novel reality format, it quickly transformed into something far more captivating.

“I was surprised at how invested I became in it,” Brydon shared in a BBC interview. “It didn’t take long at all to get really fully invested in it. You get involved with the contestants and you feel for them when they are struggling, and you celebrate with them when they do well.”

He grew emotionally involved in the highs and lows of the participants' adventures, and his attachment to the show extended beyond its practical aspects.

Destination X has swiftly established itself in the cutthroat reality TV market thanks to its slick production and novel yet confusing concept. The show keeps viewers guessing and emotionally involved throughout the entire process as they work with participants to decipher the clues.

Rob's Destination X contestant connection and emotional impact

In an interview, Rob Brydon expressed how he was surprised by the extent of his emotional attachment to the competitors' trip in Destination X. For him, as a creative, what started as a notion based on geography, logic, and mystery soon became something far more intimate.

A producer’s unexpected emotional journey

While working on the show, Brydon found himself feeling a strong sense of affection for the players while designing the game with competition in mind. As the season progressed, he was taken aback by how rapidly he started to wish them well. He began to share their frustrations when they made mistakes and shared their joys when they succeeded.

Observing their development via obstacles and failures gave what may have been a simple strategic format emotional depth. Brydon was there behind the scenes, emotionally invested in every step of the contestants' journey through a psychological maze, which they were not merely playing a game in.

What makes Destination X different?

According to Brydon, one of the most fascinating aspects of the format is that the competitors have to remain vigilant as they travel across Europe in a special bus. He clarified that all of the competitors were informed that they would be featured on a travel show.

"I believe there was both confusion and curiosity when they arrived and saw the bus."

What distinguishes Destination X is this subtle disorientation. The players are cut off from the outside world and are forced to rely solely on their intuition, in contrast to conventional travel or adventure series. The show's distinct edge comes from the controlled uncertainty that creates emotional tension for both competitors and viewers.

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Catch Destination X on NBC on Tuesdays at 10 pm. Episodes are available to stream the following day on Peacock.

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