The Assembly returns with Sir Stephen Fry and Nicola Sturgeon leading star-studded new series on ITV
- Love Ballymena
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Stephen Fry on series 2 of ITV’s The Assembly
Award-winning ITV interview series The Assembly is set to return this April for an extended second run, with Sir Stephen Fry and Nicola Sturgeon among a high-profile line-up facing what has become one of television’s most disarming and unpredictable interview formats.
The RTS-winning and Bafta-nominated show, praised by critics as one of the most original programmes on television, will see a fresh group of well-known names take to the hot seat for a “no-holds-barred” conversation led by a remarkable panel of interviewers who are autistic, neurodivergent and/or learning disabled.
Joining Sir Stephen Fry and former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in the new series are comedy icon Sir Lenny Henry, acclaimed actor Anna Maxwell Martin and BRIT Award-winning rapper and I’m A Celebrity star Aitch.
ITV has also confirmed that a sixth celebrity guest will be announced at a later date.
The return marks a significant expansion for the format, with the broadcaster extending the programme to a 7x30-minute run, including a special The Assembly: Unseen episode.
The first episode airs at 10.05pm on Wednesday 8 April on ITV1 and ITVX, with Sir Stephen Fry facing the panel, followed by Nicola Sturgeon at 10pm on Friday 10 April. Sir Lenny Henry’s episode is scheduled for 10.05pm on Friday 17 April.
Viewers will also be able to stream each episode early from 7am on ITVX or YouTube on the day of broadcast.
A bold format unlike any other
The premise remains as fearless as the first series: no question is off the table and no topic is considered out of bounds.
Unlike conventional celebrity interviews, chat shows or political set-pieces, The Assembly is built around direct, instinctive and often deeply personal questioning.
ITV said the celebrity guests will face “a no-holds-barred range of questions that no chat show, press junket or even parliamentary grilling has ever dared to ask”.
That boldness helped propel the first series to widespread acclaim.
Previous episodes featuring Danny Dyer, David Tennant, Jade Thirlwall and Gary Lineker were hailed as the “warmest, funniest telly you’ll watch this year” by The Guardian, while The Independent described it as “the most groundbreaking TV show of the year”.
The Mirror called it “a breath of fresh air”, Radio Times described it as “extraordinary”, and The Times asked whether it was “the best interview show on TV”.
Broadcaster Nick Ferrari went further, saying: “If there is a better show made for terrestrial television this year, I’d be staggered. It is breathtaking.”
Stephen Fry admits questions left him “under a microscope”
Speaking ahead of the new series, Sir Stephen Fry said that while he had some idea what to expect, the experience still proved impossible to prepare for.
“Kind of aware, but it isn’t really the sort of experience for which you can prepare,” he said.
Reflecting on how the interview compared with the media appearances he is more accustomed to, Fry said: “Well, the frankness, the openness, the genuine curiosity. These are not things one is used to in the normal run of journalistic inquisition.”
He revealed that one line of questioning caught him particularly off guard.
“I think the rather eye-watering curiosity as to my sexual preferences. Not sexuality, you understand - that was understood - but my preferences within that sexuality framework… well, I wasn’t expecting that!”
Asked whether The Assembly was more intense than appearing on Celebrity Traitors, Fry said: “Oh I think The Assembly just pips it.
“The Traitors roundtable sees the possibility of mistakenly naysaying, or of being punished, but within a game. The Assembly puts one under a microscope for real.”
He also said the atmosphere was more welcoming than he had feared, describing it as “friendlier and more fun”.
Nicola Sturgeon opens up in deeply emotional interview
Nicola Sturgeon on series 2 of ITV’s The Assembly
For Nicola Sturgeon, the experience appears to have delivered one of the most emotionally revealing television interviews of her career.
Describing it as unlike anything she had done before, she said: “This interview was different to anything I’ve done before - a totally unique experience.
“It sparked more raw emotion in me than I have ever shown on TV before, even in the most candid of the political interviews I’ve done over the years. There was no spin; just raw vulnerability on both sides.”
Sturgeon said the conversation left her “exhausted and really drained, but in a good way”, adding that it became “a genuine rollercoaster of emotions”.
“One minute I’d be laughing and the next, crying,” she said.
She also revealed one especially moving moment during the interview.
“There were a couple of points when I felt quite overwhelmed. For example, when I started talking about the baby I lost to a miscarriage, the tears just started to flow and I didn’t think I was going to be able to stop.”
She described the experience as “cathartic”, saying it allowed her to answer instinctively without considering how her words might be turned into headlines.
“What I took from it was how cathartic it is to open up emotionally to a group of people with no agenda other than hearing honest answers.”
Human stories at the heart of the format
A key strength of The Assembly has been its ability to strip away media conventions and allow public figures to respond as people rather than polished personas.
That theme is particularly evident in Sturgeon’s reflections.
“In this interview, I hope the viewer will see the human being much more than the politician,” she said.
She described the experience in three words: “Emotional. Fun. Inspiring.”
The former First Minister also praised the interview panel, saying their courage and honesty had inspired her.
“They don’t need advice from me, but I do want them to know how much they inspired me.”
Where and when to watch
The second series of The Assembly will air on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player throughout April 2026.
Episode schedule confirmed so far:
Episode 1: Sir Stephen Fry — 10.05pm, Wednesday 8 April
Episode 2: Nicola Sturgeon — 10.00pm, Friday 10 April
Episode 3: Sir Lenny Henry — 10.05pm, Friday 17 April
Episodes will also be available to stream from 7am on ITVX and YouTube on the day they air.
Series one remains available to stream on ITVX and STV Player.
At a glance
ITV’s The Assembly returns for a second extended run in April 2026
Sir Stephen Fry and Nicola Sturgeon headline the opening two episodes
Sir Lenny Henry, Anna Maxwell Martin and Aitch also confirmed
Sixth celebrity guest still to be announced
Series expanded to 7x30-minute episodes including Unseen special
Sir Stephen Fry said the show puts guests “under a microscope for real”
Nicola Sturgeon described the interview as a “rollercoaster of emotions”
Episodes air on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player
Early streaming available from 7am on ITVX and YouTube
