Netflix's next interactive series lets you kill Bear Grylls

Bear Grylls: You Vs. Wild
Image Credit: Netflix

Could you survive in the wilderness? Netflix is letting its viewers put their survival skills to the test in its next crack at interactive television, this time featuring the celebrity survivalist Bear Grylls.

The show, named You Vs. Wild, looks like a spin-off of Grylls' Man Vs. Wild – which saw him face the dangers of nature with nothing but a camera crew (and probably various unseen safety measures) to look after him.

Launching on April 10, You Vs. Wild will follow a similar format to Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, last year's surreal sci-fi thriller about a video game designer who starts to lose his sanity. 

Bandersnatch let users choose their own path through a complex, branching narrative, offering choices on everything from what you have for breakfast (Frosties, obviously) to more high-stakes acts of violence.

In the trailer below, Grylls is seen facing a number of natural threats – cliff faces, mountain lions, and suspicious looking grubs among them – as he tries to find his way "back to civilization". But this time, he says, "my adventure is up to you".

Given that Bear Grylls is, you know, a real person, we don't expect to see mountain lions tearing his torso to shreds. But it looks like we'll be able to choose what dangers he faces, how he avoids or faces them, with a variety of 'good' or 'bad' outcomes. Maybe a tasteful cut to black when things go wrong?

[Update: Speaking to IGN, Netflix has clarified 'death' won't actually be an outcome of any of your decisions during the show. Given Grylls will be facing off against mountain lions and various natural hazards, we assume things will take a line of "You led Grylls into danger - but try again!"]

You Vs. Netflix

Netflix is betting big on interactive fiction, with a host of rumored shows in development using the Bandersnatch format.

Viewers have more choice than ever between various streaming platforms, and with the likes of Disney Plus and Apple TV Plus both set to launch in the coming year, Netflix will have to work hard to make sure it offers something distinct from the competition.

The Bear Grylls collaboration shows just how varied a library Netflix is aiming for, but will it be enough to keep users on the streaming platform? That choice... is up to you. 

Via MakeUseOf

Henry St Leger

Henry is a freelance technology journalist, and former News & Features Editor for TechRadar, where he specialized in home entertainment gadgets such as TVs, projectors, soundbars, and smart speakers. Other bylines include Edge, T3, iMore, GamesRadar, NBC News, Healthline, and The Times.

Latest in Netflix
Stephen Graham in the Netflix show Adolescence
I can't recommend Adolescence on Netflix enough - it's the best crime drama you'll watch all year
Sakata in Demon City holds a large cleaver-like weapon
Demon City on Netflix is Japan's answer to John Wick with a dash of Oldboy, and it rocks
Cristin Milioti in Black Mirror season 7
Netflix launches trailer for Black Mirror season 7, giving us a look at its first-ever sequel episode and an unexpected returning character
A woman holds a phone and looks concerned in Caught
Netflix drops an eerie trailer for a new Harlan Coben show – I just hope Caught is better than the author's previous TV adaptations
Nicole Kidman wears a blue blouse with her arms crossed.
Netflix might be renewing The Perfect Couple and Beauty in Black for season 2, but I don’t get why when it’s canceled shows with poorer ratings
Susan holding her baby in Toxic Town.
Netflix's #3 show has a flawless 100% on Rotten Tomatoes – here are 3 more powerful dramas to watch after Toxic Town
Latest in News
A man holds a smartphone iPhone screen showing various social media apps including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Threads, Instagram and X
Ofcom cracks down on UK tech firms, will issue sanctions for illegal content
Google Chromecast 2
Google rolls out another Chromecast bug fix for users who factory-reset their devices
A Starfew Valley theme on Wear OS
Someone made a Stardew Valley theme for Wear OS and it's perfect
PS5 Pro feature
New Playstation studio is helmed by veteran Call of Duty dev and has been 'working away in the shadows'
3d rendering of a submarine power cable on the seabed
Subsea internet cables can now ‘listen’ for sabotage using irregular pulses of light
Google Pixel 9 front and back
The Google Pixel 9a has gone up for sale and it’s not even out yet