ITV has commissioned a new entertainment series that promises to turn the celebrity interview format on its head. ‘The Assembly,’ a four-part series coming to ITV1 and ITVX in 2025, will feature celebrities being interviewed by a panel of autistic, neurodivergent, and learning disabled interviewers.
The innovative format, which has already found success internationally, challenges celebrities to abandon their media training as they face what ITV describes as their “most honest, funny, chaotic – and heartwarming – interview yet.” The show previously aired as a critically acclaimed BBC pilot featuring Michael Sheen, who noted it received “more response than anything I’ve ever done.”
Based on the French series ‘Les Rencontres du Papotin,’ which memorably saw President Emmanuel Macron questioned about marrying his teacher, the format has already been successfully adapted in several countries including Australia, Denmark, and Spain. The French original has featured notable guests including “Killing Eve” star Camille Cottin.
Katie Rawcliffe, ITV’s Director of Entertainment & Daytime, said: “The Assembly is such a distinct, clever and authentic format, and one that we’re absolutely thrilled to commission for a full first series for ITV1 and ITVX. I can’t wait for The Assembly interviewers to ask our brilliant cast of celebrities a plethora of burning questions.”
The series is being produced by Rockerdale Studios, known for creating content that puts disabled agency at its heart, including Channel 4’s “Mission: Accessible.” The production team has worked closely with autistic and neurodivergent organizations to ensure authentic representation throughout the show’s development.
‘The Assembly’ has been commissioned as part of ITV’s Diversity Commissioning Fund, which has earmarked £80m to drive change towards racial equity and disability equity in television production. The celebrity lineup will be announced in due course, with the series scheduled to air across ITV1, ITVX, STV, and STV Player in 2025.
“This show will be funny and naughty and warm and smart,” said Michelle Singer and Stu Richards, Executive Producers for Rockerdale Studios. “We’re absolutely buzzing to be bringing The Assembly to ITV and delighted that, just like us, the team there want to see more of telly’s most mischievous cast putting proper famous types under the microscope.”
