ITV’s The Assembly to return for bumper series 2

ITV’s smash-hit The Assembly will return for a bumper second series. 

The first series earned widespread critical acclaim with Danny Dyer, David Tennant, Jade Thirlwall and Gary Lineker’s episodes hailed the “warmest, funniest telly you’ll watch this year” (The Guardian), “the most groundbreaking TV show of the year” (Independent) and was billed as both “a breath of fresh air” (The Mirror) and “extraordinary” (Radio Times). The Times asked: “Is The Assembly the best interview show on TV?” whileLBC’s Nick Ferrari enthused: “If there is a better show made for terrestrial television this year, I’d be staggered. It is breathtaking.”  

Now, The Assembly - a remarkable group of inquisitive interviewers who are autistic, neurodivergent and/or learning disabled - will return to put their unique questions to another batch of brave celebrities, where the rules will remain the same: no question is off the table and no topic is out of bounds. 

News on which six famous faces are stepping up to the plate will be announced in due course as it extends to a 7x30” run, which includes The Assembly: Unseen episode. 

The series is produced by Rockerdale Studios who, together with ITV, have worked with  autistic and neurodivergent organisations to ensure every element of The Assembly works for and with autistic and neurodivergent voices. It was commissioned by Katie Rawcliffe, Director of Entertainment & Daytime Commissioning ITV and David Smyth, Entertainment Commissioner ITV. The Executive Producers are Michelle Singer and Stu Richards for Rockerdale Studios. It is due to air on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player in 2026.

Katie Rawcliffe, Director of Entertainment & Daytime Commissioning ITV said: “This really is ITV entertainment at its best: warm, funny, revealing and just that little bit mischievous. We’ve got lots of ideas about which famous faces will join for series 2 and we’re eager to see what we’ll learn from the fantastic questions The Assembly will have.” 

David Smyth, Entertainment Commissioning Editor ITV:“The response to series 1 was thrilling and completely deserved for this fantastic cast and crew. There was no doubt in my mind that we needed to do more. I can’t wait to see what questions The Assembly will put to our next group of bold celebrities and what their responses will be...” 

Michelle Singer, Rockerdale Studios: “Absolutely delighted that we get to make more of these groundbreaking shows of which we’re so proud. The cast can’t wait to find out who they’ll be grilling next and I can’t wait for more opportunities to dance on set with them!” 

Stu Richards, Rockerdale Studios: "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."

The show’s format is an adaptation of French series Les Rencontres du Papotin, which has featured appearances from notable French figures including President Emmanuel Macron, who was memorably asked by the panel if it’s really role model behaviour to marry one’s teacher. The series now airs in 14 territories including French Canada, Australia and Brazil.