The Trip to the Northern Lights: On the red carpet with Michael Winterbottom, Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan at London Film Festival 2026

Since 2010, Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan have been getting together on-screen, playing fictionalised versions of themselves, and travelling the world, all thanks to Michael Winterbottom’s sitcom, The Trip. Before The Trip to the Northern Lights, the series’ last season was a charming exploration of Greece, with magnificent back-and-forth between the two comedy legends. This time around, Brydon and Coogan drive from southern Sweden to the Arctic Circle in Norway, reviewing restaurants and coming into view of beautiful fjords and windy roads, amongst other improvised banter and shenanigans.

The Upcoming caught up with Winterbottom and the two leads to discuss The Trip to the Northern Lights, with the filmmaker explaining the scripting process of the series and the integration of Brydon and Coogan’s improvisation. He talked about the strong chemistry between the prolific actors that keeps him and viewers coming back for more. Winterbottom mentioned the joy of film festivals and the chance to showcase it at the London Film Festival, marvelling at its importance in uplifting independent cinema.

Brydon came by to introduce the new instalment of The Trip, highlighting their visit to Scandinavia and the adventures that awaited him and Coogan. He emphasised the importance of the creativity the show provided him, from the improvisational elements and sequential shooting that colour the sitcom with an organic edge, to the opportunity to perform comedy with Coogan. He also spoke of the locations Winterbottom had chosen over the years of The Trip, the varied story opportunities those offered, as well as the difference this time around in shooting in a cooler climate. Brydon also commented on the excitement of seeing the show with an audience, soaking in their reactions and witnessing firsthand what worked and didn’t work.

Finally, Coogan closed the red carpet for The Trip to the Northern Lights by recounting the series’ history and all the places they have travelled to with the show. He talked about the hybrid of truth and fiction in Winterbottom’s sitcom, and how the different locations afforded them ample material, especially as they leaned into the culture of the countries they travel to. Beyond the comedy, Coogan spoke of the more uncomfortable and confrontational moments between he and Brydon’s characters, navigating all of that and finding the humour within. There have been many series similar to The Trip since its first release in 2010, and Coogan underlined he and Brydon’s contribution to this genre.

Mae Trumata

The Trip to the Northern Lights is released on Sky in December 2026.

Read more reviews from our London Film Festival 2026 coverage here.

For further information about the event visit the London Film Festival website here.

Watch the trailer for The Trip to the Northern Lights here: