The Canadian original series Highway Thru Hell returns September 8th at 10pm on Discovery. In the Season 4 premiere, John, Jamie Davis’ newest recruit, must save a snowplow stuck in the grip of an icy river. While Jamie pushes further into new territory, changes rock the company, forcing Colin to take on a new role. His first wreck of the season tests his skill on the rotator plus his skills as a leader. And the entire community says farewell to a Heavy Rescue crew legend.
Tell us about Season 4 of Highway Thru Hell.
Mark: The next season is a season about ambition and expansion and it’s the metaphor for the season: be careful what you wish for. Jamie expands into another location, which means more drivers and more trucks but it also means more wrecks and more headaches.
And Jamie has actually lost all of his hair this season.
Hey Jamie, is stardom becoming a bit more normal now that you’re going into your fourth season of the show?
Oh yeah – I’m pretty comfortable doing what we have to do for the show. With the show it’s almost like having two jobs. I’ve developed great relationships with the cameramen and sound people and directors. We know each other inside-out.
Do you even notice the camera anymore?
They kind of blend into the background. Some of the [Discovery crew] has been around longer than some in my own crew, and they just know what we do. They know when to film and when not to film, they understand all the safety requirements and when to be around and when to stay back. It’s become almost routine.
How is it with being recognized in public? The last time we chatted you were still adjusting to the stardom.
I hide in the washroom quite frequently nowadays.
Mark: It’s true (laughs). You get out of the truck with him and stop in at a restaurant and everyone says hi and it takes five minutes just to get into the front door. Another time he went in to use the washroom and people were waiting for him when he came out. He can’t get any privacy.
Jamie: We were at a tow show in Las Vegas and people from the UK recognized us. That shows the popularity of the show. Another time I was working on a wreck and people were stopping their cars and running across the highway to say hello. It becomes a bit disruptive but I always try and be nice and take the time to talk to them.
Mark, what are some of the challenges with producing a show like Highway Thru Hell?
Well, just when you think you have it figured out, something else happens. Our job is a lot like towing – logistically, it’s tough to be in the right places at the right times.
What can viewers expect from the first episode of Season 4 of Highway Thru Hell?
In the first episode something happens that changes Jamie’s world and the dynamic of his business, and this sets this season up with a big change. And that big change plays itself out in every episode of the season. That big change causes Jamie headaches all year round and it’s a really interesting show this year. We’re very excited about it.
