Dave viewers granted unprecedented access to the US / Mexico border in Borderforce: America’s Gatekeepers

BF

22 August 2018

Borderforce: America's Gatekeepers (10x60') is a brand-new observational documentary series for Dave featuring unprecedented access to the United States' border force. This exhilarating and eye-opening series follows the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection agency as they operate on the twenty-eight bridges connecting the United States of America and Mexico. This team of officers leave no stone unturned, revealing all manner of illegal contraband, whether concealed in passenger vehicles or hidden amidst legitimate merchandise - Dave viewers will be allowed unrestricted entry into their world.

Produced by Stampede Productions, Borderforce: America's Gatekeepers is a unique and thrilling look at the United States' frontline officers. It is commissioned for UKTV by Hilary Rosen, deputy director of commissioning and ordered by Richard Watsham, director of commissioning, and Luke Hales, Dave channel director. Series director is Cary Bell with executive producer for Stampede Productions, Stewart Morris.

UKTV's deputy director of commissioning Hilary Rosen said:

The jaw-dropping daily drama captured across the episodes is absolutely compelling. The Mexican US border is a hot topic and it's testament to Stampede's determination and hard work that they have been granted rare access to the bridges to fully document it.

Dave channel director Luke Hales said:

This is an illuminating series and we know Dave viewers will be fascinated at the real-life issues at stake in each episode."

Executive producer for Stampede, Stewart Morris, said:

This has been a project that's been three years in the making and we're delighted that it has found a home on Dave. The access given to us by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was unprecedented, allowing us to tell the incredible stories of the men and women who have the momentous job of protecting America's southern border. It is a privilege to be able to share their lives and experiences with the British public, who have an insatiable appetite for real, hard-hitting stories like these.
Through our close relationship with both UKTV and DHS we are bringing one of the most talked about places in the world directly to viewers - surprising and entertaining them along the way. What happens on this border is the stuff of fiction but couldn't be more real. We are genuinely excited to share this long-crafted series with audiences.

Borderforce: America's Gatekeepers is another exciting new addition to the raft of UKTV Originals appearing on Dave this year. The channel has already premiered Yianni: Supercar Customiser, Jon Richardson: Ultimate Worrier, Judge Romesh and The Horne Section Television Programme as well as returning favourites such as Taskmaster, Unspun with Matt Forde and Dara O Briain's Go 8 Bit. Still to come this year is the third series of Zapped and new show Beat The Internet with John Robins. In 2019, Porters returns alongside brand new Josh Widdicombe and James Acaster-hosted quiz show, Hypothetical, and UKTV's co-production with BBC, Expedition with Steve Backshall.

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