⁠"It was incredibly challenging" Destination X showrunner Andy Cadman discusses off screen issues 

Destination X showrunner Andy Cadman revealed in a recent interview with TheWrap:

"There were so many logistical, off-screen issues to deal with, so, yeah, it was incredibly challenging. And there was a lot of time they spent in blindfolds and goggles"

The NBC reality competition combines geography skills, pop culture knowledge, and strategic manipulation as contestants travel across Europe while remaining completely unaware of their location. Twelve participants battle weekly for clues about their bus's whereabouts, with the contestant making the most inaccurate guess facing elimination. Cadman opened up about the massive production difficulties in keeping contestants disoriented throughout their continental journey.

The Destination X creative team employed various tactics, including driving in circles, reversing direction, and creating "safe zones" where participants could exit the bus without seeing their surroundings. Despite these elaborate measures, natural elements like sunrise and sunset directions made complete disorientation nearly impossible. The show's central premise required constant vigilance from production staff to maintain the mystery.

Ahead of Tuesday's Destination X Season 1 finale featuring the final three contestants, Biggy Bailey, Rick Szabo, and Bachelor star Peter Weber competing for $250,000 in London, Cadman reflected on the series' unexpected success and the creative solutions needed to execute this unique format across European locations.

What were the issues outlined by Destination X showrunner Andy Cadman?

Keeping Destination X contestants unaware of their location proved far more complex than anticipated. Natural navigation cues constantly threatened to expose their whereabouts.

"Them knowing where the sun was rising and setting, and knowing which direction they were going in, some things were just really, really difficult to avoid," Cadman explained.

The production team developed creative countermeasures to combat these issues. They drove the bus in circles and frequently changed directions to confuse participants.

Meal breaks presented additional complications. Contestants needed to exit the vehicle for dinner, creating potential exposure to location clues.

The crew established "safe zones" to manage necessary stops while preserving the show's mystery. These areas allowed contestants to stretch and eat without revealing geographical information.

"We created safe zones where they could get off the bus but couldn't see where they were and could only see sky," Cadman detailed.

Blindfolds and specialized goggles became essential equipment throughout filming. Contestants spent significant portions of their journey wearing these vision-blocking devices. The elaborate precautions required constant coordination between production staff and location managers across multiple European countries.

Despite the initial focus on geography skills, the show evolved into a social strategy competition. Contestants began actively misleading each other about location guesses. Episode 4 of Destination X featured a pivotal twist: Biggy Bailey deliberately tricked a fellow competitor into guessing an incorrect country. This moment highlighted the show's strategic potential.

"That was probably my favorite moment of the season, being able to pull a twist like that and completely turn the game on its head," Cadman reflected.

The manipulation element transformed the series from pure knowledge testing into psychological gameplay. Jeffrey Dean Morgan proved instrumental in executing the show's twists and surprises. His presence elevated the drama during crucial elimination moments.

"I think Jeffrey is such an incredible games master, and he did such a great job of owning the way the show twists and turns," Cadman praised.

The showrunner enjoys creating no-win scenarios for contestants. Morgan embraced this approach, willingly participating in elaborate deceptions.

Their collaboration produced memorable moments that kept participants constantly off-balance throughout the competition.

What are the possibilities in the future?

Cadman expressed interest in expanding the show's creepy atmosphere for potential future seasons. Venice's dark, moody environment particularly appealed to him.

"I kind of love the creepy, I was obsessed with Venice because it was so creepy. I loved that episode because it was dark and moody and scary in a way," he admitted.

Haunted castles and mysterious locations feature prominently in his preliminary planning. These settings would amplify the show's psychological tension. A second season would likely include more elaborate twists and increased difficulty levels to challenge better-prepared contestants.

Destination X achieved impressive viewership numbers when it premiered in May and validated the team's extensive efforts. Linear television success has become increasingly rare in the current media landscape. Cadman acknowledged the difficulties of getting things to land and launch on a linear path. The positive audience response provided relief after months of complex production challenges across European locations.

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Destination X airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, with full episodes available to stream the next day on Peacock.