Breaking News! The highly anticipated lineup for Taskmaster series 21 has been leaked, revealing a star-studded cast ready to face Alex Horne's eccentric challenges and impress Greg Davies. This news comes ahead of the official announcement, which was slated to follow the second part of the New Year Treat on Channel 4. But, as they say, the cat's out of the bag, thanks to the Daily Star! So, if you're keen on surprises, look away now! Otherwise, let's dive into the exciting roster of contestants.
Before we get to the juicy details, it's worth noting that Horne and Davies are currently capitalizing on the show's growing popularity by staging live shows across the US, including Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and New York. This push to expand the American audience seems to be paying off, especially after Jason Mantzoukas's appearance in series 19. The show's producers are even hoping for another American remake, following the 2018 version with Reggie Watts. And with the inclusion of an Oscar-nominated star in this new series, the show is poised to build on its success, especially considering the 176 million views the Taskmaster YouTube channel garnered from American viewers last year.
So, who are the brave souls stepping into the Taskmaster arena? Here's the lowdown:
Amy Gledhill: The 2024 Edinburgh Comedy Award winner for her show Make Me Look Fit On The Poster, Amy has graced panel shows like 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Roast Battle. Before comedy, she trained as an actress and performed in musical theatre. She also played Leslie in the BBC Two comedy series Alma's Not Norma and is one half of the comedy duo The Delightful Sausage. She is also taking part in series two of Amazon’s Last One Laughing.
Armando Iannucci: Known for creating the political satire The Thick of It and its American adaptation, Veep, this 61-year-old creative's film credits include In The Loop and The Death of Stalin. He began in radio comedy and was appointed a CBE in 2017. He currently hosts a Radio 4 show and podcast and has openly expressed his love for Taskmaster.
Joanna Page: The 47-year-old Welsh actress, famous for playing Stacey Shipman in Gavin & Stacey, has also appeared in films like Love Actually and Doctor Who. She trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Joel Dommett: The comedian and presenter, 39, has hosted The Masked Singer since 2020 and I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! Extra Camp. He's expressed his long-standing desire to participate in Taskmaster, calling it a game-changer for television.
Kumail Nanjiani: The Pakistani-American comedian, actor, and writer, born in 1978 in Karachi, co-wrote and starred in The Big Sick, earning an Academy Award nomination. He played Dinesh Chugtai in HBO's Silicon Valley and appeared in Eternals. He started his career in stand-up comedy in Chicago.
Each contestant is set to bring a unique blend of respect, fear, and a burning desire to claim Greg's golden head. But here's where it gets controversial... with such a diverse and talented lineup, who do you think has the best chance of winning? And what about the potential for an American remake – is it a good idea, or does it risk losing the show's original charm? Let's discuss in the comments!
