CNN Puts New Twist on Travel Documentaries: Multiple Hosts Including Alan Cumming, Taraji P. H

Publish date: 2024-05-05

CNN is testing out a new formula for the original documentary series it has featured regularly over the past decade.

Since the 2013 launch of “Parts Unknown,” led by Anthony Bourdain, the Warner Bros. Discovery-backed outlet has unveiled a series of travelogues built around everyone from Lisa Ling and W. Kamau Bell to Morgan Spurlock and Mike Rowe. Each personality guided viewers on a specialized trip through interesting communities or specific geographic regions.

In 2025, a new CNN series will rely on multiple hosts, each getting one of six episodes to take viewers to a place that brings them joy.

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“My Happy Place,” expected to be part of CNN’s slate of originals next year, is in production under the auspices of the network and Boardwalk Pictures, a studio that specializes in non-fiction programming and has worked on series for Hulu, Netflix and others.

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In each episode, a different host will take viewers to what is billed as a “personally meaningful place in their lives.” The roster of hosts includes Alan Cumming; Taraji P. Henson; Simu Liu; Billy Porter; Octavia Spencer; and Questlove In May, Amy Entelis, CNN’s executive vice president of talent. CNN Originals and creative development, told Variety she intended to “rebuild” a slate, albeit with an eye on costs.

“CNN Originals have a long legacy of premium, host-led travel programming that our audience has come to know and love,” said Entelis, in a statement. “’My Happy Place’ is a fresh take on the genre, with iconic personalities guiding our viewers on these revealing journeys.”

Using multiple hosts for a single series means the real star of the show is the format, not the actor or personality discussing it. Should CNN choose to renew “Happy Place” for multiple cycles, it presumably would not have to worry as much about paying to keep a central star in place. The network also plans to launch a new travelogue series led by Eva Longoria that will have the actor and producer exploring Spain.

“My Happy Place” will “highlight some incredible destinations and uncover what makes them so uniquely special,” said Andrew Fried, founder and CEO of Boardwalk Pictures, in a statement.

Executive Producers for “My Happy Place” are Andrew Fried, Jamie Granet Bederman, Sarina Roma and Jane Yusim for Boardwalk Pictures along with Amy Entelis, Lyle Gamm and Katie Hinman for CNN Original Series. Showrunner Alexandra Lowry is an Executive Producer.

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