Quick Read
- Taskmaster returns to Channel 4 for its 21st series with a confirmed six-season renewal.
- Comedian Amy Gledhill joins the cast shortly after the loss of her father.
- The 200th episode of the franchise is scheduled to air on May 14, 2026.
Taskmaster Returns for Series 21
The BAFTA-winning comedy series Taskmaster officially returns to Channel 4 tonight, April 9, 2026, launching its 21st series at 9 PM. The milestone premiere arrives as the show secures a massive future, with Channel 4 confirming a renewal for an additional six seasons. This extension ensures the format, which has become a global phenomenon with international versions in 13 countries, will remain a cornerstone of British television for at least another three years.
Amy Gledhill and the New Contestant Lineup
The 21st series introduces a fresh roster of five contestants tasked with navigating the show’s signature bizarre challenges. Among them is comedian, actor, and writer Amy Gledhill, who joins the lineup alongside Armando Iannucci, Joanna Page, Joel Dommett, and Kumail Nanjiani. Gledhill enters the competition following a period of personal tragedy; the 38-year-old comedian recently disclosed the death of her father just days before the March 19 premiere of her other project, Last One Laughing UK.
Gledhill, a 2024 Edinburgh Comedy Award winner, has recently been in the spotlight for both her professional successes and her candid approach to her craft. Her appearance on the current season of Last One Laughing UK featured an improvised scene with Sam Campbell that was ultimately deemed too “mucky” to air, drawing a direct intervention from host Jimmy Carr. Her transition to Taskmaster marks a significant professional milestone, coming shortly after she shared an emotional public tribute to her father, whom she described as her most enthusiastic supporter.
Production Milestones and Cast Challenges
The upcoming series consists of 10 episodes, with the 200th episode of the franchise scheduled to air on May 14, 2026. While the cast prepares for the competition, other participants have faced unexpected hurdles; Joanna Page recently disclosed sustaining an eye injury caused by her four-year-old daughter, though she confirmed her continued participation in the series. Alex Horne, the show’s creator, expressed both excitement and the pressure of developing new tasks for the extended run, while Greg Davies returns as the Taskmaster to oversee the proceedings.
The inclusion of Amy Gledhill in the 21st series underscores the show’s reliance on high-caliber comedic talent to maintain momentum, even as the production faces the logistical demands of a long-term multi-season commitment.