As TV presenter Rylan Clark nervously arrives for his appearance on The Assembly, he wonders aloud: “Shit, what are they gonna ask me?” The opening questions from his unique interviewers are blunt: “Are they your real teeth?” and “Did you ever consider having a real suntan?” So much for small talk.
A Gamechanging Format
The ensuing half-hour delves into probing inquiries about his infidelity, divorce, and resulting breakdown. The 28-strong neurodivergent panel asks Rylan whether he loved his absent father, when he came out as gay, and how he copes when a famous friend gets cancelled. His tearful reply appears to allude to Radio 2 colleague Scott Mills. “You bastards,” Rylan sniffs. “You made me cry.”
Yet this gamechanging show isn’t all soul-searching. There are lighter moments too: Rylan recognises one inquisitor from a Chelmsford gay club, another tries to matchmake him with their mum’s gardener, and he receives a wedding invitation from a third. By the time they sing along to Pure Shores by All Saints, it’s joyous television.
“That was the best thing I’ve ever done,” says Rylan on his way out. “Let’s do it again.” Warm, frank, and funny, this episode typifies the feelgood nature of what has become the best talkshow on TV. Over the past two years, the ITV series has breathed new life into the tired televised interview format.
How It Works
Each episode opens with a panellist setting the scene: “Welcome to The Assembly, our collective of autistic, neurodivergent, and learning-disabled interviewers. Our rules are that no subject is out of bounds, no question is off the table, and all might happen.” The VIP in the hot seat faces a grilling like no other. Forget Graham Norton or Jonathan Ross; The Assembly creates the most revealing, entertaining celebrity encounters on air.
The format originated in France as Les Rencontres du Papotin (The Chatterbox Encounters). It became a phenomenon when President Emmanuel Macron was confronted about marrying his former high school teacher. This moment convinced UK producers Rockerdale Studios to snap it up. “Macron’s reaction made us go: ‘This is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before,’” says Rockerdale CEO Stu Richards.
The British pilot featured Michael Sheen and aired on the BBC during Autism Acceptance Week 2024. Despite critical acclaim, the BBC lacked the budget for a full series, and ITV poached the show. ITV’s inaugural episode saw Danny Dyer interrogated about his marriage troubles, finances, and drug-taking. Dyer declared: “You lot better prepare yourself for fame because I think this show’s going to be fucking massive.” His episode remains the biggest on YouTube with half a million views.
Impact and Recognition
Dyer told the Guardian: “It’s still my favourite interview I’ve ever done. I walked away feeling inspired and emotional after spending time with such brilliant, honest, unfiltered people.” The debut run also featured David Tennant, Jade Thirlwall, and Gary Lineker, who was asked bluntly, “Did you shit yourself on the pitch?” The series earned a Bafta nomination and an RTS award, and has been commissioned across 20 countries.
People with Down’s syndrome, autism, and complex learning disabilities are rarely afforded such screen time—and in total control. “Our company inbox is full of viewers telling us they’ve got autistic family members and they’re glad to be represented on TV,” says Richards. “Visibility and awareness are important, but we knew that would only come if we made the show entertaining. We could make a documentary about the SEND community, but the sad truth is that nobody would watch it. The Assembly has to be entertaining first and foremost. Ensure it’s universally appealing, then the other stuff follows.”
Director of production Michelle Singer adds: “Our panel is aged 18 to 77, and that spread is important. It brings diversity of life experience, which is all the more pertinent for neurodivergent people due to the danger of infantilisation.” Richards notes: “Diversity of views is crucial too. With a show like this, people might say: ‘Well, that’s woke as shit.’ But our cast span the social class and political spectrum. They’re adults with fully formed opinions.”
Memorable Moments
Viewers get to know the regulars: Caroline, who sits next to the celeb and asks eye-wateringly personal questions; Jacob, who provides the celebrity’s date of birth and star sign; Luka, the literary one who performed a Wordsworth poem for Stephen Fry and a Macbeth soliloquy for Tennant. The house band, led by vocalist Julice, closes each show with a rousing cover of a song meaningful to the guest. “We’re hoping to make an album one day,” says Singer. “There’s real demand for it!”
Season two guest Lenny Henry said: “The Assembly was genuinely moving for me. On one side of me, a lovely lady was experiencing all the feelings. On the other side, I had the living equivalent of Google, spitting facts about me like Jay-Z in his prime. It was crazy good.” Singer notes: “Lots of our interviewees still talk about it passionately. Jade sent individual handwritten cards to each cast member to say thank you.”
Behind the Scenes
The panel’s direct questions make for compellingly unpredictable conversation, flipping between sad, silly, and surreal. “Fundamentally our show is about connection,” says Richards. “Once you’ve agreed to our rules—and a lot of celebs won’t, so they don’t come on the show—it strips away the rules of neurotypical society and something magical happens.” Singer adds: “On a traditional chatshow, you’d get 10 minutes per guest. Our cameras roll for three hours. That gives space for everybody to relax and alchemy to happen.”
The Assembly elicits remarkable exchanges by asking tough questions in a charming manner that makes dodging impossible. Unsuspecting subjects are caught off-guard, often left sobbing, laughing, or both. There’s no project-plugging or gushing, just raw authenticity. Celebrities visibly relish the chance to do something different.
In the second season, first guest Stephen Fry was asked: “How much have you spent on cocaine?” “Can you help me meet Céline Dion?” and “Are you a top or a bottom?” “Asking a national treasure that question was quite something,” laughs Richards. “At moments like that, we’re in the gallery, going ‘What’s going to happen? Is the guest going to walk out?’ But Stephen handled it beautifully. It was scary but exciting. Now I tell the team: ‘I want to be terrified at least once per recording.’”
Former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon became the first politician to brave the hot seat. She was reduced to tears when asked about her miscarriage. “She also talked about how she has considered being a foster carer,” says Richards. “Our cast member Marcus, who has been through the care system, came up and read his own poem about it. Everyone was welling up.” Sturgeon described The Assembly as “one of the most special experiences of my life.”
Future Aspirations
Richards says: “We’d love to do more politicians. The format strips away the soundbites, lays them bare, and humanises them. Keir Starmer is the obvious candidate because his biggest problem is that people don’t see him as a human being. Tony Blair or David Cameron would be fascinating too.” Singer’s wishlist includes Hugh Grant, while Richards adds “Eric Cantona, Michelle Obama, and the pope,” only half joking.
It takes courage for A-listers to sign up. “Some PRs or agents get nervous,” says Richards. “They probably see some reputational value but won’t take the risk.” Singer says: “Several celebs have told us during the buildup that they’re ‘shitting themselves.’ How can you fail to be slightly intimidated by 28 strangers asking you literally anything? Embracing that delivers the best TV.”
A third series is yet to be confirmed but seems likely. Meanwhile, The Assembly’s true stars are embracing their cult following. “At the TV Baftas, properly famous people were approaching our cast members for selfies,” says Singer. Richards recalls: “You know Harry, who always wears a hat? He’s a massive Whovian, and Matt Smith recognised him. An actual Timelord came over for a chat. That’s the level we’re at now.”
The Assembly airs 24 May at 10pm on ITV1 and ITVX, followed by two compilations of unseen moments.
