Legendary UK gameshow The Crystal Maze makes its US debut this weekend – but its production has stayed firmly rooted in Bristol.
The cult programme has been filmed in the city since it underwent a reboot two years ago. It has become one of the largest productions at the Bottle Yard Studios in South Bristol, employing hundreds of people to shoot hundreds of hours on a purpose-built studio set complete with the latest production technology. 
The all new US version is made by Fizz, part of Bristol-based RDF Television, and features comedian/writer Adam Conover (College Humour, Adam Ruins Everything, BoJack Horseman), pictured, as the Maze Master charged with guiding one family team through physical and mental challenges set within an elaborate labyrinth of four giant and immersive themed zones – Aztec, Eastern, Futuristic and Industrial.
Each zone is housed in the show’s original purpose-built set at The Bottle Yard Studios, which spans over 30,000 sq ft.
Ten families travelled to Bristol from the US to appear on the show. Episode one features a family from Houston, Texas, tackling a range of challenges in the maze for the first time ever for US audiences.
This season will feature families from Scottsdale, Ariz; Lake Forest, Calif; Eastvale, Calif ; St. Augustine, Fla; Windemere, Fla; Chester, Va; Germantown, Tenn; Carollton, Texas; and Wheaton, Ill.
In each episode, the youngest family member takes on the role of team captain. The successful completion of escape-room style challenges are rewarded with a ‘time crystal’ granting the family five seconds in the centrepiece final zone called the Crystal Dome. 
The more crystals gathered throughout the game, the more time each family has for a dramatic clock countdown challenge inside the iconic Dome for a chance to win up to $25,000.
Adam Conover said: “As the Maze Master, the only thing that gives me greater joy than tormenting our adventurers with devious games is handing out giant cash prizes to the lucky few who manage to escape the challenges inside the crystal maze.
“This show is the ultimate challenge for families, proving that you have to work together if you want to win, and that’s a fact.”
The Crystal Maze is co-produced by Bunim/Murray Productions (The Real World, The Challenge, Born This Way) and RDF Television (Secret Life of 4 Year Olds, Wife Swap, Shipwrecked) under parent company Banijay Group.
Gil Goldschein and Maria Pepin from Bunim/Murray Productions, Neale Simpson from Fizz, part of RDF Television, and Stephen David from Stephen David Entertainment serve as executive producers. Production of The Crystal Maze for Nickelodeon is overseen by Rob Bagshaw, executive vice president, unscripted content.
Productions made at The Bottle Yard Studios in Hengrove over recent years range from Hellboy to Poldark, Wolf Hall to Andy’s Safari Adventures.
Top photo of Adam Conover by Gavin Bond/Nickelodeon ©2019 Viacom International Inc. Bottom photo of Adam-Conover by Robert Trachtenberg/Nickelodeon ©2019 Viacom International-Inc
