Actor Richard E Grant explores the ancient myth of Odysseus in the new four-part Channel 4 series, *Richard E Grant’s Very Modern Odyssey*, which debuted on Sunday at 8 p.m. Drawing inspiration from Homer’s 8th-century BC epic *The Odyssey*, the series blends elements of travelogue and historical investigation as Grant retraces Odysseus’s legendary ten-year journey across the Mediterranean.

Following the character’s path through locations in Italy, Tunisia, Turkey, Malta, Corfu, and finally to Odysseus’s homeland of Ithaca, Grant seeks to distinguish between the poem’s mythological elements and historical realities. Among the sites visited are the island of Djerba off Tunisia’s coast, where Grant sampled the lotus fruit—said in the epic to cause forgetfulness—and the Strait of Messina between Sicily and mainland Italy, long thought to be the inspiration for the perilous whirlpool Charybdis. He also explores Troy in northwest Turkey, the site of the Trojan War and the legendary wooden horse ruse, as well as the Maltese island of Gozo, often linked to Calypso’s enchanted island where Odysseus was said to have been detained for seven years.

Throughout the series, Grant reflects on Odysseus’s enduring human struggles, including themes of longing, temptation, and resilience. Notably, the actor draws a personal connection with the hero’s yearning for home and family, recalling his own loss of his wife, Joan Washington, to cancer in 2021. As Grant observes, Odysseus’s desire to return to Ithaca and his wife Penelope remains central, despite the distractions and dangers he faces along the way.

In addition to natural and archaeological landmarks, the journey includes visits to cultural sites such as St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta, Malta, an interior filled with lavish baroque art and housing Caravaggio’s *The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist*. Grant remarks on the profound impact of witnessing humanity’s artistic achievements alongside the ancient myths.

The resurgence of interest in Homer’s tale has been buoyed by recent popular culture, notably the Christopher Nolan film *The Odyssey*, starring Matt Damon, which has drawn significant attention to the epic. The series presents a more measured exploration compared to the film’s dramatic retelling, emphasizing the historical and geographical context of the story.

Experts like Professor Rustem Aslan, a scholar on the ancient city of Troy, highlight the ways in which *The Odyssey* addresses timeless human concerns such as war, political turmoil, and environmental challenges—issues still relevant today. Grant echoes this perspective, noting how the blend of myth and reality has given the story its remarkable longevity over 2,500 years.

*Richard E Grant’s Very Modern Odyssey* offers viewers an engaging look at one of literature’s foundational epics while inviting reflection on how its themes continue to resonate across millennia.