Twenty Twenty Six Review: The Two Hughs Deliver Delight in Hit-and-Miss W1A Spin-off
Hugh Bonneville and Hugh Skinner take centre stage in John Morton's latest satirical comedy, Twenty Twenty Six, a spin-off from the beloved BBC series W1A. The show places the duo in charge of organising the next World Cup, offering a humorous take on corporate culture and international bureaucracy.
A New Role for Ian Fletcher
Hugh Bonneville reprises his role as the perpetually bemused executive Ian Fletcher, who has transitioned from Head of Deliverance at the London Olympics in Twenty Twelve to the BBC's Head of Values in W1A. In Twenty Twenty Six, Fletcher assumes the tenuous title of Director of Integrity for the Twenty Twenty Six Oversight Team, relocating to Miami to oversee the tournament. As narrated by David Tennant, Ian must navigate an irretrievably American corporate environment, a shift that brings fresh comedic challenges.
An International Cast with Mixed Results
The series introduces a diverse array of characters, each lightly stereotyped to reflect their nationalities. Nick Castellano, played by Paulo Costanzo, embodies an all-American business and legal affairs expert, while Canadian Owen Mitchell, portrayed by Stephen Kunken, is pathologically amenable. European attaché Eric van Depuytrens, played by Alexis Michalik, exudes chic standoffishness, and Mexican optics and narrative head Gabriela de la Rosa, portrayed by Jimena Larraguivel, brims with excitement for Guadalajara.
However, John Morton's signature comic style, which excels at capturing awkward British micro-interactions, sometimes falters in this global setting. The dialogue's reliance on streams of consciousness like yes, no, of course, absolutely feels less effective when transplanted into such a different cultural context. The new characters lack the sharp observation seen in W1A favourites like Siobhan Sharpe or Anna Rampton.
Familiar Plot Points and Flat Social Media Team
Certain plot elements echo previous W1A scenes, such as a viral hashtag mishap involving #PowerOfPoop, promoted by Chelsey Crisp's sustainability head Sarah Campbell. The Gen Z social media team, comprised of sentiment creators and thought analysts, falls flat, with personalities reduced to Nineties surfer slang, pronoun zealotry, and ideas like we need to Taylor Swift 2026.
British Characters Shine Brightest
Morton finds stronger footing with the British characters. Nick Blood's Phil Plank, a literal-minded former lower division footballer in charge of on-pitch protocols, provides humorous moments as he ponders player heat in the American sunshine. Hugh Skinner returns as Will, Ian's hapless personal assistant, who has seemingly nepo-babyed his way into the role via posh parental connections.
Will remains as bumbling as ever, with physical comedy highlights including a scene where he investigates an office coffee machine with toddler-like artlessness, resulting in a cappuccino garnished with a melted AirPod. His dynamic with Ian, including a pep talk where Ian advises against unnecessary apologies only for Will to immediately apologise, adds heart to the series.
Verdict: A Fun but Uneven Return
While Twenty Twenty Six has its hits and misses, the chemistry between Hugh Bonneville and Hugh Skinner makes it a delightful watch. Their performances anchor the show, even as some elements feel recycled or underdeveloped. As the series unfolds, one might wonder if Ian Fletcher's next move could be a parish council in the home counties, but for now, this duo offers plenty of laughs in a satirical take on global events.
