Sue Perkins to explore the Ganges in new series for BBC One

Sue Perkins follows her journeys up the Mekong and through Kolkata with an epic travel series down the length of the Ganges, which is worshipped by Hindus as a living Goddess.  Sue will travel from the sacred source of the river, high in the Himalayas, through the industrial and agricultural heartlands of the Gangetic Plain and the ancient city of Varanasi, to the vast delta on the Bay of Bengal.

She will join pilgrims seeking to wash clean the sins of alifetime at the Ganges' source; work alongside fishermen and farmers in the Sunderbarns, who share their forests with man-eating tigers; and join some of the thousands of young women leaving rural villages and moving to the cities to find work and freedom.

Sue says: “I’ve travelled the length of the Ganges, from the oxygen-starved peaks of the Himalayas to the vast delta in West Bengal, meeting a huge array of characters on the way. Expect cows on bridges, India’s Most Energetic Monk, and me, in a dress. I can’t wait for you to see it.”

Clare Sillery, Head BBC Commissioning, Documentaries says: “The Ganges tells the story of modern India in one spectacular river journey. With Sue Perkins’ wit, warmth and intelligence it's hard to imagine a better travelling companion.”

The Ganges with Sue Perkins, a 3x60’ series, is made by Folk Films for BBC One. The Executive Producer is Steve Robinson, and the BBC Commissioning Editor, Documentaries, is Jamie Balment.  It will air next year.

CT