Watch Our Guy in Russia

Our Guy in Russia is a Channel 4 television series starring motorcyclist and adventurer Guy Martin, as he makes his way around Russia exploring its fascinating history, culture and way of life. The six-part series premiered in February 2018 and was narrated by British actor Shaun Dooley.

Throughout the show, Martin travels across vast territories, from Siberia to Moscow, via trains, boats, planes and even a homemade armoured motorbike. He spends time with locals and experts to discover various aspects of Russian life, from Soviet-era tanks to traditional crafts and sports. Martin's fascination with Russia began when he met a former Russian helicopter pilot on one of his previous adventures, and the series is his attempt to scratch the surface of a country that has always fascinated him.

The first episode of the series, titled "The Birth of a Nation," sees Martin visiting the far east of Russia, to explore the city of Vladivostok and its surrounding areas. He is fascinated by the geography of this vast land, which is made up of eleven time zones and covers some 11% of the earth's landmass. He learns about the brutal history of the city, where prisoners from the gulags were sent to construct an important Navy port during Soviet times. Martin especially enjoys spending time with a local man named Evgeny Lavrik, who runs a motorcycle club in the city, and together they ride around the surrounding area on Russian-made Ural bikes.

In the second episode, "The Road to Moscow," Martin follows the route of the Trans-Siberian railway, one of the longest train journeys in the world. Along the way, he meets locals and tries his hand at some traditional crafts, including making felt boots and birch bark dishes. Martin also learns about the history of Russian tanks and takes a ride in one of the enormous machines, which was designed in Soviet times to withstand nuclear explosions.

In episode three, "The Power of Siberia," Martin travels to the city of Yakutsk, the coldest inhabited city on earth, where temperatures can reach as low as minus 50 degrees Celsius. He spends time with local reindeer herders and ice fishermen, as well as visiting the Permafrost Institute to learn about the singularity of permafrost: a condition where the ground stays permanently frozen in layers.

The fourth episode, "The End of the Earth," sees Martin visiting the remote Kamchatka peninsula, which is home to some of the most active volcanoes in the world. He goes bear hunting with locals, flies in a helicopter over the volcanoes, and visits a gold mine. He is struck by the beauty of the area, which is home to some of the most wild and untouched landscapes he has ever seen.

In episode five, "The Motherland," Martin heads to Moscow to explore the capital city and its surrounding areas. He visits Red Square, learns about cosmonaut training, and even flies in a Russian military helicopter. He also experiences a traditional banya (sauna) and meets some young people who are trying to change attitudes towards homosexuality in Russia.

Finally, in the last episode, "The Future," Martin returns to Siberia to learn about renewable energy and the country's ambitious plans to cut emissions, whilst keeping energy supplies flowing across the vast country. He visits a wind farm and a lake filled with giant hydroelectric dam, as well as meeting some traditional nomadic reindeer herders. The episode ends with Martin reflecting on his experiences in Russia and the contrasts between the country's brutal past and its exciting future.

Overall, Our Guy in Russia makes for a fascinating and captivating series, with Martin's infectious enthusiasm and natural charm shining through. The show offers an intriguing and honest look at Russia, a country often shrouded in mystery and myth, showing it to be a place of extraordinary contrasts, beauty and adventure.

Our Guy in Russia is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between July 15, 2018 and on Channel 4