New documentary series Follow The Leader made with Louis Theroux’s company

Jamali Maddix is to make a new documentary series for the Dave channel.

In Follow The Leader the comedian spends time with key figures in communities on the fringes of the mainstream to find out why they inspire devotion among their followers. 

The four-part series – which is being made by Louis Theroux’s company Mindhouse Productions – will investigate religious cults, political movements, underground radicals and ostracised groups.

Maddix said: ‘I’ve always been fascinated by cults and sub-cultures - people that choose to live as "other".  

‘Comedians are typically outsiders and I’ve made a career from observing people’s behaviour and nuances from this perspective. With this show, I want to explore the more extreme worlds people choose to live in and discover who they are and crucially WHY they do what they do.’

UK TV commissioning executive Emile Nawagamuwa added: ‘In a world that is increasingly fragmented, it’s fascinating to see just what connects us and who our new thought leaders are. 

‘I’m incredibly excited that Jamali, with his natural curiosity and razor-sharp insight will be taking us into these rising movements and really getting to the heart of what makes them so compelling to so many people. 

‘These immersive journeys into the fringes of society will land Dave and UKTV Play viewers right at the centre of some of the world’s most eye-opening breakaway factions.’

Theroux, who has plenty of experience interviewing outsiders himself, will be creative director on the project. 

He said: ‘In times of great weirdness, it gives me some consolation to know that we have intrepid connoisseurs of the dark, the troubling, the downright baffling of the calibre of Jamali.  

‘He is the real deal: brave funny, curious – someone who can walk the fine line of challenging and confronting where necessary but also being empathetic and kind.  I’m proud to be with him on the Follow the Leader journey, wherever it may take us.’ 

Maddix, who won the Chortle Student Comedy Award back in 2014, previously hosted a documentary series on extremism for Vice in 2016., entitled Hate Thy Neighbour In that show he interviewed extremists from around the world including members of hate groups such as Ukraine's far-right Azov Battalion and the English Defence League.

 Follow The Leader with Jamali Maddix  will air on Dave – which is being rebranded U&Dave this summer – later in 2024.

Published: 18 Jan 2024