The Assembly: Everything you need to know as series 2 begins
The latest run of the unfiltered show features national icons and music stars
Last updated 8th Apr 2026
ITV/STV's fearless interview series The Assembly is back on screens – and this time the questions promise to be even bolder.
Who is taking part in series 2?
The critically-acclaimed show has returned for a second, extended run, with a stellar line-up featuring Sir Stephen Fry, Nicola Sturgeon, Sir Lenny Henry, Anna Maxwell Martin and BRIT Award-winning rapper Aitch. Each guest will take the hot seat for an interview quite unlike anything seen on TV.
What is The Assembly about?
The Assembly panel, made up of autistic, neurodivergent and learning disabled interviewers, is known for asking exactly what’s on their minds – no filters, no limits, and no questions off the table. What ensues is honest, funny, and often deeply revealing conversations where celebrity affectation takes a backseat to authentic curiosity.
ITV’s first series drew rave reviews, with episodes featuring Danny Dyer, David Tennant, Jade Thirlwall and Gary Lineker earning praise from critics who called it "extraordinary", "a breath of fresh air" and "the most groundbreaking TV show of the year".
Now, The Assembly returns with a seven-episode run, including a special unseen edition. Stephen and Nicola will kick things off with their episodes airing this April, with one more mystery celebrity yet to be announced.
When does it start?
Series 2 of The Assembly premieres on 8th April 8 2026, at 10:05 PM on ITV1 and ITVX, and consists of seven episodes, including a special unseen edition.
The first episode features Stephen Fry on 8th April, followed by Nicola Sturgeon on 10th April and Lenny Henry on 17th April. Later episodes will include Anna Maxwell Martin, Aitch, and a mystery celebrity, with their air dates to be announced weekly.
Where can I watch it?
The second series of The Assembly will be available to watch on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
Katie Rawcliffe, ITV’s Director of Entertainment, Reality & Daytime Commissioning, said: "This line-up really does offer something for everyone — The Assembly’s no-holds-barred questions throw up all kinds of surprising revelations."
David Smyth, Entertainment Commissioning Editor for ITV, added: "The Assembly are raring to go and with such a unique mix of famous faces to interview, they will have a ball coming up with their next set of questions. These celebrities really do need to be ready for anything."
Michelle Singer from Rockerdale Studios shared: "We’re thrilled to be back and, better yet, back with such a fantastic group of celebrities getting The Assembly treatment. Lots of surprises and laughter on the way, I guarantee."
Stu Richards, also from Rockerdale Studios, added: "Buzzing to be back. We’ve got national treasures all over this series. And some fantastic celebrity guests, too."
Until the new season drops, you can stream The Assembly: Series 1 now on ITVX and STV Player.
Check out the shows we can't wait to see return:
Amandaland
Following the first series of Motherland spin-off show Amandaland, BBC bosses were quick to renew comedy series Amandaland for a second series. Lucy Punch will return as Amanda, alongside Joanna Lumley and Philippa Dunne. Filming for series two started in October 2025, with bosses also announcing a Christmas special! It's now been confirmed series two will begin on 6th May.
Rivals
Ever since the first series dropped in 2024, fans have been crying out for another series of Disney+ show Rivals! Well, the wait is nearly over, as bosses have now confirmed series two will drop on 15th May!
Clarkson's Farm
Jeremy Clarkson and Kaleb Cooper are back on Diddly Squat farm in Chipping Norton for series five of Clarkson's Farm! The new series begins on Wednesday 3rd June.
Pete Wicks: For Dogs' Sake
Following the love for the first three series, Pete Wicks has now confirmed his hit series For Dogs' Sake will return for a fourth, with filming due to begin in the coming weeks.
Doctor Foster
Nine years after the second series aired on BBC, bosses delighted fans in February 2026, by revealing Doctor Foster will be returning with Suranne Jones. Suranne will reprise her role as Dr Gemma Foster, opposite Bertie Carvel as Simon and Tom Taylor as Tom. Filming is due to begin in Spring 2026.
Ted Lasso
Following the end of series three in 2023, fans were crying out for a fourth series of comedy show Ted Lasso! On Friday 14th March 2025, main actor Jason Sudeikis confirmed the exciting news, and now Apple TV have announced it will land in Summer 2026!
Last One Laughing
Hosted by Jimmy Carr, the first two series of Prime Video show Last One Laughing has been a huge success! Before series two had even concluded in early April 2026, bosses confirmed a third series was in the works, as well as a Halloween special!
Emily In Paris
After season five dropped in December 2025, and was met with huge viewing figures, Netflix were quick to renew Emily In Paris for a sixth season. No start date has been announced, but it could be late in 2026.
Vigil
Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie are reprising their roles as DCI Amy Silva and DI Kirsten Longacre in BBC drama Vigil. Filming wrapped in Scotland in January 2026, so we could see show return later in 2026.
The Day of the Jackal
Series one of thriller The Day of the Jackal broke viewing records for Sky Atlantic, so there's no surprise that bosses were quick to renew the show for a second series, before the first was even over! Although there's no air date just yet, filming started in 2025, so we could see the show return sometime in 2026.
Line of Duty
Now that the BBC have confirmed there's going to be a seventh series of award-winning crime drama Line of Duty, fans are counting down the months! Filming is due to begin in Spring 2026, and bosses have now confirmed it will air in 2027.
Unforgotten
After series six aired in early 2025, ITV/STV bosses were quick to recommission crime drama Unforgotten for a seventh series, with Sanjeev Bhaskar and Sinéad Keenan set to return. There's no official start date just yet, but filming did begin at the start of 2026.
This City Is Ours
Following the first series which aired in 2025, This City Is Ours has been renewed for a second series, with filming now complete! Julie Graham, James Nelson-Joyce and Jack McMullen will all return. There's no start date just yet, but we imagine it will be sometime later in 2026.
The Bear
Following the fourth series arriving in June 2025, bosses have now confirmed The Bear will return for a fifth series! Although there's been no start date given just yet, the show typically begins every year in June.
Gangs of London
Following the third series in 2025, which ended on a major cliffhanger, Sky have now confirmed Gangs of London has been commissioned for a fourth series. In April 2026, the plot and casting details were announced, as filming officially got underway!
Peaky Blinders
Much to the shock of everybody, Steven Knight revealed in October 2025 that Peaky Blinders will be returning for two more series! The series will be all about a new generation of the Shelby family. The as-yet-untitled show will star Billy Elliot and Fantastic Four actor Jamie Bell in the main role as Duke Shelby.
The Celebrity Traitors
After the record-breaking first series in October-November 2025, BBC bosses have now confirmed The Celebrity Traitors will return for a second series in 2026!
The Night Agent
Following the release of series three in early 2026, Netflix has now confirmed a fourth series of hit drama The Night Agent is now in production! There's no start date just yet, but we imagine it will return in 2027.
All's Fair
After becoming the biggest Hulu Original scripted series premiere in three years, Ryan Murphy's All's Fair has now been renewed for a second series! Starring Kim Kardashian, Sarah Paulson, Glenn Close, Naomi Watts and Niecy Nash, production begins in Spring 2026.
Trigger Point
After three hugely-successful series of ITV drama Trigger Point, the show will return for a fourth series in 2026! Although there's no release date just yet, we do know that filming is now complete!
The Night Manager
Following the return of BBC thriller The Night Manager in early 2026, bosses have now confirmed the show will return for a third series! Although there's no return date just yet, fans are on edge following the huge twist in the series two finale.
Love Is Blind: UK
Following two hit series of Netflix dating show Love Is Blind: UK, bosses have renewed the show for more series, with the third set to air later in 2026! Applications for series four in 2027 are also now open!
The Morning Show
Popular Apply TV series The Morning Show is set to return to our screens for a fifth instalment with Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston and Billy Crudup. Reese confirmed in March 2026 that filming had started!
One Born Every Minute
After seven years off our screens, E4 announced in April 2026 that popular documentary series One Born Every Minute will be making a return! Although there's no start date just yet, bosses have confirmed filming will begin later this year.
Red Eye
Following the third series which hit our screens on New Year's Day in 2026, rumours are rife that high-octane ITV/STV drama Red Eye will return for a third! Nothing has been officially announced just yet, but it sounds like viewing figures were very high for the first two series.
Stacey & Joe
The BBC have renewed fly-on-the-wall reality series Stacey & Joe for a third series, with filming due to begin this Summer!
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