Charlie Cooper returning to BBC with winter special of hit series
AFTER a hugely successful series launch in October, Charlie Cooper’s Myth Country returns with a winter special.
The new festive edition of the hit series will see Charlie escape the trappings of a modern Christmas.
Once again Charlie will be travelling and camping in his yellow campervan, as he delves in to the country’s Pagan past.
But this time, he’s exploring winter festivals across the country from barrel burning in Devon to Morris dancing in Gloucestershire.
In the hope of investigating alternative winter celebrations and gaining a deeper understanding of their meanings.
He is particularly interested in the idea of the winter solstice, a celebration in which there has been renewed interest.
On his itinerary is The Barrel Burning festival in Devon’s Ottery Saint Mary which has been held every November since the 17th century.
The townspeople believe that by lighting barrels filled with tar and running through the streets, they can protect their community from malevolent forces.
Charlie Cooper’s Myth Country: Winter Solstice comes after Charlie Cooper’s Myth Country was a huge hit with fans.
The documentary saw Charlie investigating everything from Crop Circles in Wiltshire to roaming ghost dogs on the coast. and countryside of East Anglia.
As he travelled along the East Anglia countryside he met some fascinating people.
Charlie says: “I’m thrilled that the BBC cameras will follow me again as I explore our wonderful, wild and sometimes hair-raising winter festivals which for centuries have brightened up the darker months.”
Tom O’Brien, MD of Naked and Executive Producer says: “Charlie Cooper’s Myth Country immediately connected with a large and engaged audience on the BBC.
“We’re excited to bring it back for another look at a special moment in the year’s calendar – one steeped in lore, tradition and storytelling.
“Charlie will continue to feed his passion for the weird and the wonderful.”
Nasfim Haque, Head of Content, BBC Three says: “Audiences will be delighted that Charlie is back for a solstice special after his first outing attracted so much love.
“Charlie getting the inside track from unique festivals across the UK is going to be the perfect winter warmer.”
Charlie starred in This Country with his sister Daisy May Cooper and it was a far cry from his new documentaries.
But Charlie says that he has always been bewitched by myths and legends.
And it seems according to the popularity of his new show that he is not the only one.
Charlie Cooper’s Myth Country: Winter Solstice will air on BBC Three and iPlayer later this year.