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Dame Joanna Lumley Confirms Major New Danube Travel Series Amid Logistics Challenges Dame Joanna Lumley, the veteran actress, author, and campaigner, is set to embark on a new 1,770-mile travel documentary series for ITV, tracing the entire length of the River Danube through the heart of Europe. The ambitious project, which follows the river from its German source to the Black Sea, comes as the star balances high-profile television commitments, including a recurring role in a major Netflix series, with her enduring humanitarian advocacy. The announcement of the untitled travel show, scheduled for late spring filming, confirms Dame Joanna’s sustained presence in factual television, a genre in which she has found considerable success following her decades-long career in drama and comedy. The Danube, Europe’s second-longest river, flows through or touches the borders of ten nations, presenting both a rich tapestry of history and culture, and complex logistical hurdles for the production team. The planned route will see the 78-year-old journey across countries including Germany, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, and Romania. Producers are drawing up itineraries encompassing the Black Forest, where the river originates, and its eventual delta at the Black Sea coast. However, specific destinations are requiring meticulous planning due to the proximity of the river’s path to the border with Ukraine, a region currently impacted by ongoing conflict. A television insider noted the detailed preparation required: “Producers are preparing for the show to start filming soon and while destinations in some countries have already been organised, others are taking more planning. ” The insider elaborated that due to the sensitive geography, “The Danube runs the border with Ukraine, and bosses are having to consider how safe and practical it would be for Joanna to film there as the war continues.
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” The network is understood to be prioritising the safety of the production crew while maintaining the series' expansive scope. Speaking about the upcoming project, Dame Joanna conveyed her excitement about exploring unfamiliar territories. “We’re due to travel in the late spring of 2024 and it’s incredibly exciting,” she stated. “We’re due to head across a part of the world with which I’m not that familiar at all, and across all the countries through which the Danube flows. ” The series is expected to highlight the geographical and historical diversity of the regions it crosses, including Bavaria's beer-brewing traditions, the majesty of Vienna and Budapest, and the raw beauty of Transylvania. This return to high-stakes travel follows her previous successes with ITV, including Joanna Lumley's Spice Trail Adventure and Joanna Lumley's Great Cities of the World, further cementing her role as one of Britain’s most prominent factual broadcasters. Pivot to Global Drama and Public Advocacy The announcement of the travelogue arrives simultaneously with Dame Joanna's increasing involvement in global dramatic productions. She recently appeared in the Netflix thriller Fool Me Once alongside Michelle Keegan, and has confirmed her participation in the upcoming third series of the streaming giant’s gothic hit, Wednesday. In Wednesday, a spin-off from The Addams Family focusing on the character Wednesday Addams, Dame Joanna took on the role of Grandmama Hester Frump in the second series, and has confirmed her return.
She recounted an amusing anecdote about securing an appropriate voice for the character just before filming, which highlights the spontaneity sometimes required in major production. “Just twenty minutes before we started shooting, I went and knocked on Tim Burton’s door. I said, ‘Tim, it doesn't really say clearly. Where is Grandmama from? What kind of accent?’,” she recalled. The director’s only guidance was: “Oh, just not too British. ” Dame Joanna added that she “sort of got away with it because I’ve got a big wig on,” noting the challenge of creating a distinct, non-British American accent on the spot. Beyond the entertainment industry, Dame Joanna remains a leading figure in British activism and charity campaigning. She recently joined a cohort of high-profile names, including Sir Patrick Stewart and Dame Helen Mirren, in supporting The Independent's "Brick by Brick" campaign, partnered with the charity Refuge, to raise funds for building a safe refuge for women fleeing domestic abuse. In an urgent call for donations to the initiative, Dame Joanna spoke emotionally about the necessity of providing immediate safety for victims.
She stressed the importance of timely intervention: “I can’t think of anything kinder. Being welcomed by sheltering arms when you fear for your life, sleeping in a safe bed, having compassion and understanding all around you when you are in tatters… it’s what we wish for all victims of abuse as well as for ourselves. ” She urged the public to support the effort and “be a brick and buy a brick. ” This work complements her long-standing involvement in humanitarian causes, including her successful advocacy for Gurkha rights, a campaign close to her due to her father’s military background, and her vocal support for conservation and animal welfare groups, such as her past efforts with the marine conservation charities calling for change in how unexploded war munitions at sea are disposed of. Outlook on an Enduring Career As Dame Joanna continues to maintain a challenging workload across multiple sectors—from navigating the complex politics of a river documentary near a conflict zone, to starring in global Netflix franchises, and championing crucial domestic abuse initiatives—her career trajectory shows no signs of slowing down as she approaches her late seventies. Industry analysts suggest that her sustained popularity lies in her versatility, coupled with a public perception of her as a trustworthy and authoritative voice on issues she chooses to support. Her ability to transition seamlessly from comedy icon Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous (a show whose cast has recently reunited for a one-off special) to a serious travelogue host and a respected advocate ensures her relevance remains high across multiple generations of viewers and news consumers. The forthcoming Danube series will be closely watched, not only for the travelogue itself but for how its production successfully navigates the complex contemporary geopolitical landscape it must traverse.
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