How To Start Your Own Country
Season 1
Not Rated
This six part BBC series follows intrepid everyman Danny Wallace as he takes up the challenge and begins the unlikely odyssey of setting up and running his own country. From the corridors of power at Whitehall to a rusting war fort in the North Sea, Danny cuts through the red tape and meets a host of extraordinary individuals all keen to help him with his quest.
Where to Watch Season 1
6 Episodes
- Birth Of A Nation
E1Episode 1Birth Of A NationWallace investigates territory for his proposed country, beginning by visiting Sealand. He meets the man who owns the Moon, he "invades" Eel Pie Island but leaves his post of "leader" when the Police are called. He makes friends with the Major General of the British Army. He eventually decides upon the area of his flat as the Territory and makes a declaration of Independence which he gives to Tony Blair. - Citizens Required
E2Episode 2Citizens RequiredDiscovering that the smallest country in the world is the Vatican City with a population of just 921 citizens, Danny goes on a mission to beat the Pope and become the biggest small country in the world. Armed with a new flag, citizenship test and the ultimate immigration policy, he takes to the streets to see if he can convince anyone to relocate. - For King And Country
E3Episode 3For King And CountryAs Danny's population grows, his citizens look to him for leadership. Keen to serve his country well, he travels to Boston to seek advice from intellectual giant Noam Chomsky and engages in his first state visit with the Prince of Seborga. Researching his Constitution, he visits the US where he has a run in with a group of gun-toting women claiming their Second Amendment Right to bear arms. - State Of A NationE4
Episode 4State Of A NationWallace visits two very different 'utopian' communities, the planned town of Celebration which maintains its pleasantness through strict rules and regulations, and the anarchic self governing neighbourhood of Christiania. He also speaks to a Catholic Cardinal about the role of religion in society and to Sheriff Joe Arpaio about law and order. A sombre visit to death row and an interview with a death row prisoner leads him to decide against the death penalty in his country. - The Bank Of Danny
E5Episode 5The Bank Of DannyStruggling to pay his electricity bill, Danny is forced to kick-start his country's economy. Enlisting the help of everyone from the Chief Cashier of the Bank of England to former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Ken Clarke, Danny applies for international aid and establishes his own currency. - The United Nation
E6Episode 6The United NationWallace attempts to enter the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with a song called "Stop the Muggin', Start the Huggin'". In an attempt to officially become a country, he travels to New York to try to win the support of the United Nations. The lack of a territory lets him down. This final episode ends with a gathering of citizens in Leicester Square, where Wallace reveals that the country is to be called Lovely.
