Jeremy Clarkson's long-time collaborator and executive producer of Clarkson's Farm, Andy Wilman, has revealed a particular moment in the latest series that showcases the presenter's "genius." Wilman, who worked with Clarkson for decades and was key to Top Gear's success, serves as executive producer on the Amazon Prime Video hit, which follows the 66-year-old as he manages Diddly Squat Farm in the Cotswolds.
Transition from High-Octane to Farming
Speaking on the High Performance podcast, Wilman discussed the challenge of moving from the adrenaline-fueled world of motoring shows to a series centered on everyday farming activities. He admitted there were initial fears that the calmer, routine storylines might not match the drama of Clarkson's previous work.
"We again did not see it coming, that our big worry apart from how authentic it would be is how boring it might be," he said, as reported by the Mirror. "You know, him hitching a track trailer up when we've done Minis going down ski jumps with rockets on them. We've done it all, you know, amphibious cars trying to cross the channel."
He added: "When you've done that sort of stuff and you're pushing yourself to go, right, I've got to top that, all that kind of Hollywood-type mentality — to then go, right, in this episode we're going to move the goats from one field to another, you do worry."
Small Stories, Big Impact
However, Wilman revealed the production team soon discovered that modest farming narratives could be as compelling as the spectacular stunts of Clarkson's past. "But then you realise that those small stories have got as much power as the Mini down ski jump. So very happy about that. Him involved in that again. He can somehow make the movements of goats quite something," he explained.
The scene Wilman highlighted as "genius" appears in the new series, showing Clarkson helping move goats between fields. Wilman noted Clarkson's exceptional talent for turning simple agricultural tasks into captivating viewing.
"There's a bit in the new series where they actually are moving the goats, because I love it as an example — it's four minutes and you think, well, that's nearly half a power test on Top Gear, you know, of moving goats, and the goats are unruly," he said. "Then they get them under control and they get to the field and it's your kind of bucolic, beautiful Cotswold late afternoon, and he turns to the camera and goes, 'Why did I spend so many years driving cars around corners shouting when I could have been doing this?'"
Storytelling Genius
Wilman noted the scene demonstrates Clarkson's natural storytelling ability, transforming ordinary farm duties into something significant. "So he gives you a Jeremy moment to give context to what's going on. I'd call that genius, because he's going, 'I still have to work here. I can't just enjoy moving stuff around.' And then he stops and he goes, 'Oh, I remember. Because it pays for me to do this.' Like, you know? And then brings it down."
When asked by Professor Damian Hughes how much of Clarkson's success is instinct versus production design, Wilman suggested the two are inseparable. "Isn't Jeremy being Jeremy a bit of genius? You know, it's like not anyone can do that job," he said.
