Bear Grylls goes into the wild with a new batch of celebrities, from Bradley Cooper to Rita Ora

In his most recent undertaking, Bradley Cooper found himself clambering aboard a mid-flight helicopter, descending a precipitous 400-foot cliff, and traversing a 100-foot chasm within one of North America’s most inhospitable environments.

The payoff? Not an Oscar nomination nor a blockbuster hit, but rather a bear-hug and commendation from the celebrated adventurer, Bear Grylls.

“He aced it,” Grylls commended.

Cooper is part of an illustrious lineup of celebrities, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Cynthia Erivo, Russell Brand, Troy Kotsur, Rita Ora, Daveed Diggs, and Tatiana Maslany. They all accepted the challenge to test their survival instincts in the new season of Nat Geo’s “Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge,” which begins this Friday.

“This season makes me incredibly proud. We’ve hosted phenomenal guests who have pushed their limits in terms of terrain and the challenge,” Grylls shared with The Big Big News. “When severe weather combines with entertaining personalities, it often makes for exceptionally compelling television.”

Each episode of the series features Grylls teaming up with a celebrity, where they must endure 48 hours in a brutal environment. On the first day, Grylls imparts crucial survival skills, including climbing techniques and fire-making. On the second day, the guest must utilize these skills independently.

Oscar-winning Kotsur, known for “CODA,” was put to the test in the harsh Scottish Highlands. His challenge included a 2,500-foot descent across eight miles of challenging terrain and freezing rivers, culminating in a 150-foot rappel down a waterfall. Communication between the deaf actor and Grylls was maintained using rope signals. Kotsur’s reward: haggis, a traditional Scottish dish.

Diggs, accustomed to urban living, found himself in the hostile Great Basin Desert in Nevada. Despite not knowing what to expect, he jumped in headfirst, learning to create anchor points, track a target, and initiate a signal fire. His dinner consisted of a tarantula, a prospect he admittedly wasn’t looking forward to.

Guests that stand out, Grylls told AP, are those who are eager and willing to embrace the experience without worrying about their image. He added that maintaining a cool facade in the wild is nearly impossible given its unpredictable nature.

The show isn’t only focused on survival. The guests often open up, sharing personal stories and insights, allowing Grylls to dig deeper than most TV interviewers. Ora discusses her ties to Kosovo, while Cooper reveals a surprising ease with consuming mule deer tongue, and Cumberbatch shares stories about his grandfather.

This season also sees Cumberbatch taken to the Isle of Skye, where his grandfather trained as a submariner. His task includes learning how to use climbing talons and tying an Italian hitch knot. Meanwhile, Ora faces her own challenges at the Valley of Fire in Nevada, including a 15,000-foot skydive, a chimney climb, and making fire using her lip balm.

The common thread among all guests is that their adventurous spirit and self-testing nature is usually attributed to their parents.

Grylls is simultaneously juggling several other shows, including “I Survived Bear Grylls,” a competition series on TBS, and “You vs. Wild,” an interactive Netflix show. Despite not planning to host these shows indefinitely, the 49-year-old hopes the core values of an adventurous spirit, the importance of friendship, and a never-give-up attitude will live on.

Believing that adventure isn’t confined to the wilderness, Grylls opines, “It’s about our approach to life, work, relationships,

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Running Wild with Bear Grylls

More about Running Wild with Bear Grylls

• Running Wild with Bear Grylls
• Bear Grylls’ Official Website
• Bear Grylls on Twitter
• Nat Geo TV
• I Survived Bear Grylls on TBS
• You vs. Wild on Netflix