Hit TV show The Assembly to return for a second series

Leader Live

17-07-2025

The programme, which sees a group of inquisitive interviewers who are autistic, neurodivergent and/or learning disabled put questions to celebrities, was a big hit when the first series aired on ITV1 earlier this year.
The names of the six new celebrities taking part are yet to be revealed, with the last series featuring Danny Dyer, David Tennant, Jade Thirlwall and Gary Lineker, and described as the 'warmest, funniest telly you'll watch this year' by The Guardian.
Meanwhile, The Independent called it 'the most groundbreaking TV show of the year' and it was hailed as 'extraordinary' by the Radio Times.
The series is produced by Rockerdale Studios, which said the same format will be repeated, where 'no question is off the table and no topic is out of bounds'.
It is due to air on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player in 2026.
Katie Rawcliffe, director of entertainment and daytime commissioning at ITV, said: 'This really is ITV entertainment at its best: warm, funny, revealing and just that little bit mischievous.'
Stu Richards, of Rockerdale Studios, said: 'I cannot believe we're still getting away with this.
'The chance to make something that plays by almost none of the rules of normal telly is just such a ludicrous privilege. I'm absolutely buzzing to be honest.'
Gary Lineker, David Tennant, Jade Thirlwall, & Danny Dyer face their most honest, funny and heartwarming interviews yet, thanks to a remarkable group of autistic, neurodivergent and/or learning disabled interviewers.
The Assembly – coming soon to ITV & @ITVX #TheAssembly #ITV pic.twitter.com/sqI6uVPDVf
— ITV (@ITV) February 27, 2025
The show is an adaptation of the French series Les Rencontres du Papotin, which has featured appearances from notable French figures, including President Emmanuel Macron, who was grilled about his marriage.
Last year, Welsh actor Michael Sheen appeared on the pilot which aired on the BBC, where he was asked questions including what it was like to date someone only five years older than his daughter and which two members of the royal family he would choose to swap out.
The show then moved to ITV for a full series.
It now airs in 14 territories, including French Canada, Australia and Brazil.