The Assembly continues with emotional new episodes featuring Anna Maxwell Martin and Aitch

Actor Anna Maxwell Martin Appearing on ITV’s The Assembly

ITV’s bold interview series The Assembly continues this week with two new episodes featuring actor Anna Maxwell Martin and rapper Aitch, as both stars describe the intensity, honesty and emotional impact of taking part in one of television’s most unfiltered formats.

The acclaimed series, which sees a panel of autistic, neurodivergent and learning disabled interviewers ask direct and deeply personal questions, airs at 10.05pm on Tuesday 21 April and Wednesday 22 April on ITV1 and ITVX, STV and STV Player.

Both guests have now reflected on their time in the hot seat, offering insight into encounters that challenged them in ways far removed from traditional interviews.

Anna Maxwell Martin describes “confronting” but revealing experience

Actor Anna Maxwell Martin said her appearance on The Assembly stripped away the comfort of scripted performance and placed her in a far more exposed environment.

“I’ve never had media training - if only I had!” she said when asked how prepared she felt going into the interview.

She made clear that the experience lived up to expectations in terms of its emotional intensity.

“No, I knew it would be confronting and it was.”

Actor Anna Maxwell Martin Appearing on ITV’s The Assembly

Her episode is expected to be one of the most emotionally open of the series, with several members of The Assembly sharing deeply personal reflections during their conversation.

However, she rejected the suggestion that their openness was due to her presence.

“I don’t think that’s me; I think that’s them! They are a lovely bunch of chatty, emotionally intelligent people.”

Reflecting on moments where she offered reassurance or guidance during the discussion, she appeared surprised by the suggestion.

“Oh my goodness, did I? Well… I hope I’m a good friend and a good mum and therefore a supportive person.”

The programme also offers viewers a rare opportunity to see her outside of character.

“Yes, a bit nervous - no one wants to come across as a w*nker,” she said.

Aitch says experience gave him “faith in humanity”

BRIT Award-winning rapper and I’m A Celebrity star Aitch Appearing on ITV’s The Assembly

For BRIT Award-winning rapper and I’m A Celebrity star Aitch, the experience proved both uplifting and unexpectedly intense.

“The Assembly experience for me was absolutely unreal. It was a breath of fresh air and it gave me faith in humanity. It was one of the most fun things I’ve done in a while,” he said.

Going into the show with little expectation, he admitted he had no idea what he was stepping into.

“I didn’t really know what to expect and I didn’t have a clue what I was getting into. But after I’d left the building, I wanted to do it every day for the next two weeks!”

Aitch, who is an ambassador for the Down’s Syndrome Association, said raising awareness and encouraging more positive perceptions of disability played a role in his decision to take part.

“I think it’s always good to raise awareness and educate people to have a more positive view of people with disabilities – that’s definitely one of the reasons I went on The Assembly.

“Another reason was to make the people who are on The Assembly feel equal and just have some vibes with them lot. I wasn’t going on it with the sole intent of showing love to the Down’s Syndrome Association; it was more just showing love to everyone with a disability.”

“More intense than a Bushtucker Trial”

Despite his experience on reality television, Aitch said the questioning he faced on The Assembly was more demanding than anything he encountered during I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!.

“I would actually say it’s more intense in the Assembly hotseat than a Bushtucker Trial,” he said.

“I really don’t know why but I sweated more in that chair than I did in my whole time in Australia – put it that way.”

The emotional impact extended beyond the interview itself, particularly during a musical moment arranged by the panel.

“The song was definitely very special to me – sang beautifully by those lot! The song was important to me because it’s a hometown song and it’s where my roots are from.

“I grew up hearing that song in the background all the time, so for The Assembly lot to sing it for me was a special moment.”

Looking ahead, he said he would like to see Ed Sheeran take part in the show.

“He’s just a good person – he brings good vibes no matter where he is. I can’t lie, I would definitely be locking into that episode solely for entertainment purposes. I feel like it would be a good laugh.”

Continuing a critically acclaimed run

The latest episodes follow the return of the RTS-winning and Bafta-nominated series earlier this month, which has already featured Sir Stephen Fry and Nicola Sturgeon in its second run.

The programme has built a reputation for candid, unscripted exchanges that move beyond conventional celebrity interviews, with its first series widely praised as one of the most original formats on British television.

When to watch

The Assembly continues at 10.05pm on Tuesday 21 April and Wednesday 22 April on ITV1 and ITVX, STV and STV Player.

Episodes are also available to stream from 7am on the day of broadcast.

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At a glance

• The Assembly continues this week with Anna Maxwell Martin and Aitch episodes

• Airs 10.05pm Tuesday 21 April and Wednesday 22 April on ITV1 and ITVX

• Anna Maxwell Martin described the interview as “confronting”

• Aitch said the experience gave him “faith in humanity”

• He described the hot seat as more intense than a Bushtucker Trial

• Both praised the honesty and emotional intelligence of The Assembly panel

• Episodes available to stream from 7am on broadcast days