Long Way Home (2025) is one of the most anticipated travel adventure documentary series of the year, blending friendship, motorcycles, and breathtaking landscapes. Directed by David Alexanian and Russ Malkin, and starring Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, this English-language Apple TV+ Original is scheduled for release on May 9, 2025.
Movie Overview
Long Way Home marks the fourth installment of the iconic travel documentary franchise featuring lifelong friends Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman. Following the global success of Long Way Round (2004), Long Way Down (2007), and Long Way Up (2020), the duo reunite for a more personal and nostalgic journey. This time, instead of crossing continents, they embark on a sentimental road trip from McGregor’s home in Scotland to Boorman’s home in England—taking the scenic route across Northern Europe on refurbished vintage motorcycles.
Along the way, they ride through rugged landscapes, encounter local cultures, and reflect on 20 years of friendship and adventuring together. The series is not only about the physical journey but also about the emotional “long way home” after decades of traveling to far-flung places. Themes of resilience, camaraderie, and rediscovery define the narrative, making it a heartfelt addition to the Long Way legacy.
Attribute Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Long Way Home |
| Genre | Documentary, Travel, Adventure |
| Language | English |
| Release Date | May 9, 2025 (Apple TV+) |
| Director | David Alexanian, Russ Malkin |
| Writer | Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman (story contributors), with David Alexanian and Russ Malkin |
Detailed Article (~1100 words)
Adventure motorcycling has never been the same since Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman introduced audiences to the thrill of the open road with Long Way Round in 2004. Two decades later, the pair return with Long Way Home (2025), streaming exclusively on Apple TV+. Unlike the vast distances of their earlier journeys across continents, this installment takes a more intimate approach, focusing on their personal lives, enduring friendship, and the symbolic act of journeying home.
In Long Way Home, McGregor and Boorman swap high-tech electric bikes of their previous trip for refurbished vintage motorcycles. Their starting point is McGregor’s family home in Scotland, and their destination is Boorman’s residence in southern England. But rather than following the shortest path, the duo choose a meandering route that threads across Northern Europe. Viewers are treated to sweeping shots of Norway’s fjords, Viking churches, the Scottish Highlands, the North Sea coastlines, and historic towns scattered along the way.
What makes this series particularly engaging is its reflective tone. Now in their 50s, both McGregor and Boorman approach the ride with more perspective. Their earlier expeditions emphasized endurance and discovery, while Long Way Home leans into nostalgia and gratitude. As the friends share stories around campfires, revisit old haunts, and meet strangers who recognize them from past journeys, audiences are invited into an intimate portrait of friendship tested and deepened by decades of shared adventure.
Produced once again by David Alexanian and Russ Malkin—who helped shape the franchise’s authentic, unscripted style—Long Way Home maintains the raw storytelling that made the previous series successful. Cameras follow not just the stunning rides but also the quiet, unguarded moments: laughter after a breakdown, frustration when weather derails their plans, and heartfelt conversations about aging, family, and purpose. These human elements elevate the series beyond a travelogue, turning it into a narrative about life itself.
One of the standout aspects of the documentary is the emphasis on vintage motorcycling. The choice to use classic bikes—rebuilt and restored rather than brand-new—parallels the themes of history, memory, and resilience. The motorcycles themselves become characters in the story, breaking down, sputtering, and occasionally surprising the riders with unexpected performance. For McGregor and Boorman, these quirks become part of the charm, reminding them that imperfection is often the essence of adventure.
While the route itself is less extreme than previous rides (no Arctic wilderness, deserts, or South American mountain passes this time), Long Way Home compensates with cultural depth. The duo explore medieval villages, engage with Scandinavian locals who recount tales of Viking heritage, and attend community gatherings that showcase regional music and cuisine. Each stop becomes an opportunity for connection, reinforcing the series’ message that home is not just a destination but also the people and cultures encountered along the way.
Critics who previewed the series at early screenings have praised its balance of scale and intimacy. Where Long Way Up showcased the challenges of cutting-edge technology with electric bikes, Long Way Home strips things back to basics. The result is a journey that feels more grounded and relatable, especially for viewers who ride motorcycles themselves or simply enjoy road trips. The cinematography, as always, is a highlight—drone shots of winding roads, slow-motion captures of vintage engines, and breathtaking landscapes underscore the romance of the open road.
Audience anticipation for Long Way Home has been high, thanks in part to the duo’s loyal fan base built over 20 years. Online forums and motorcycle communities have long speculated about whether McGregor and Boorman would reunite for another series. The announcement by Apple TV+ in early 2025, followed by the trailer release in April, reignited enthusiasm. Fans expressed excitement not only for the travel adventure but also for the opportunity to reconnect with two personalities who embody the spirit of friendship and exploration.
Beyond entertainment, the documentary subtly touches on environmental themes. While vintage motorcycles are not eco-friendly by modern standards, the series acknowledges this tension by contrasting the charm of the bikes with reflections on sustainability. The juxtaposition with Long Way Up’s electric Harley-Davidsons provides continuity across the franchise, showing how technology and travel evolve while the essence of adventure remains timeless.
The emotional weight of the series is undeniable. As McGregor and Boorman near their final destination—Charley’s home in England—they reflect on their first ride together two decades earlier. For McGregor, who has lived much of his life in the public eye as a Hollywood star, these journeys provide grounding and authenticity. For Boorman, a lifelong adventurer, they represent resilience, especially following his serious motorcycle accident in 2016. The narrative of Long Way Home is therefore not just about geography but about healing, endurance, and the enduring bonds of friendship.
Ultimately, Long Way Home (2025) is more than a travel series; it is a meditation on aging, memory, and connection. It celebrates the beauty of the journey while acknowledging the inevitability of change. The series invites audiences to reflect on their own “long ways home”—the paths taken, the people met, and the meaning found along the way. By blending stunning visuals, authentic storytelling, and heartfelt emotion, McGregor and Boorman once again deliver a series that resonates far beyond the motorcycle community.
With its release on May 9, 2025, exclusively on Apple TV+, Long Way Home is set to inspire both loyal fans and new audiences alike. Whether you are a seasoned motorcyclist, a travel enthusiast, or simply someone who values stories of human connection, this documentary series promises a ride worth taking. It is not just about where the road leads but about the friendships and memories forged along the way—a fitting continuation of a franchise that has defined adventure television for a generation.
✅ Accurate details:
Title: Long Way Home
Release Date: May 9, 2025 (Apple TV+)
Stars: Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman
Directors: David Alexanian, Russ Malkin
Genre: Documentary, Travel, Adventure
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