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Everything you need to know about world renowned magician Dynamo’s Sky special: Dynamo is Dead

From walking on water to levitating above skyscrapers, Dynamo is famous around the world for making the impossible possible. And this December, Dynamo returned with a brand-new and not-to-be-missed special.

The two-hour special, Dynamo is Dead, follows the magician’s journey told through powerful conversations with some famous names before the grand finale where viewers watch Dynamo put his life on the line by…burying himself alive.

The official synopsis, released by Sky, reads:

“The world-renowned magician Dynamo is back as you’ve never seen him before – embarking on a transformative and soul-searching journey to explore the depths of mental health and well-being. As he grapples with his own struggles, Dynamo seeks answers from inspirational figures around the world so that he can bury his past and find a new beginning.

Through candid conversations with iconic actors, musicians, sports stars, journalists, and activists, each with their own powerful stories to tell, Dynamo learns of the struggles behind their success as they open up about their own journeys and share the wisdom and tools to navigate the complexities of life.

Throughout his journey Dynamo shares his unparalleled magical talents with each of his guests, performing ground-breaking new magic inspired directly by their stories.

The heart-pounding climax of the show will be broadcast live - In order to embrace his future Dynamo must first bury his past, and his journey of recovery will end with him attempting his most dangerous stunt ever… being buried alive..”

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Learn more about Dynamo is Dead

Who stars in Dynamo is Dead?

  • Cara Delevingne

  • Tyson Fury

  • Raphael Rowe

  • Steven Bartlett

  • Demi Lovato

  • Kate Beckinsale

  • Tony Hawk

  • Bugzy Malone

Content warning – this page discusses suicide and adult themes!

What happens in Dynamo is Dead?

The show opens with Dynamo self-recording a video segment to camera, where he reveals that in 2020 he attempted to take his own life. He reflects on the difficult times he’s experienced and how, whilst the magic in him had died, it allowed him to realise the magic in others.

But for him to overcome his feelings towards the persona of ‘Dynamo’, he has to let him go and what better way than performing the hardest stunt there is…being buried alive. So much more than a magic trick, this is a way for him to have closure over a part of his life he wants to move away from.

Over the two-hour long special, Dynamo meets with famous faces to find out more about them. Each conversation leaves Dynamo inspired and with vital advice he can carry forward on his discovery of self. For all of you who were hoping for some magic, don’t worry – there’s plenty of that too!

Along the way, Dynamo discovers magic and inspiration in places he never could have imagined. He realises the demon he’s been facing the whole time is himself and he’s discovered who he must become…Steven Frayne.

And it’s this discovery that leads to grand finale when Dynamo puts his life on the line by burying himself alive.

Is Dynamo dead?

The grand finale of Dynamo is Dead saw renowned magician Dynamo attempt his most dangerous trick yet – burying himself alive, six feet underground before five tonnes of soil was poured on top of him. Had Dynamo not been able to escape, the consequences could have been deadly but after a tense near-3-minute wait, his head emerged from the soil and Dynamo pulled himself out from under the soil. So, the simple answer is no, Dynamo is not dead.

But throughout the two-hour special we see Dynamo talk about wanting to move away from the persona of Dynamo. So, whilst Dynamo survived the jaw-dropping stunt the character of ‘Dynamo’ has been laid to rest and he’ll now be going by Steven Frayne.

Is Dynamo no longer referring to himself as Dynamo?

In short: yes. In Dynamo is Dead, he reflects on how the TV special will be the last thing he does as Dynamo after which he’ll go by his birth name of Steven Frayne.

What magic tricks does Dynamo perform in Dynamo is Dead?

Throughout the two-hour special, Dynamo performs a series of magic tricks before the final act which sees him bury himself alive. The magic tricks include:

  • Turning fire into ice
  • Pulling a string out from under his skin before magicking it back under his skin
  • Reading minds
  • Invisible touch
  • Power of intuition

What training did Dynamo do to prepare for his final stunt?

In preparation for being buried alive, Dynamo undertook extensive training. In Dynamo is Dead we see him spend time being covered with soil so that he can familiarise himself with the sensation. We also see him do an oxygen consumption test to determine the rate at which his body is consuming oxygen because performing such a dangerous stunt successfully relies on the ability to hold your breath over a long period of time.

Is Dynamo retired?

Technically, no. The persona of ‘Dynamo’ has been laid to rest but the magician lives on as Steven Frayne.