ITV’s new entertainment series, The Assembly, will feature celebrities being interviewed by a group of people who are autistic, neurodivergent, and/or have learning disabilities. The show, which will be broadcast later this year, is all about ditching the usual PR-managed responses and getting to the heart of the matter.
Here’s the Lowdown: The Assembly aims for honest, funny, and even chaotic interviews. Celebrities confirmed for the series include football legend and broadcaster Gary Lineker, actor David Tennant (Doctor Who), pop star Jade Thirlwall (formerly of Little Mix), and actor Danny Dyer (EastEnders, Rivals).
What This Means Now: This format breaks from the typical celebrity interview show. The program, which will be on both ITV1 and streaming service ITVX, provides a unique perspective and creates an interview environment that’s unpredictable. It is also important because it was commissioned as part of ITV’s Diversity Commissioning Spend.
The Bigger Picture: The Assembly has already seen some success, having had a pilot air on the BBC in 2024 featuring Michael Sheen. The concept comes from France, where it is very popular and has also been seen in Australia on the ABC.
