As Taskmaster concludes its 21st series, the lineup for series 22 has been announced, featuring comedians Matt Lucas and Richard Ayoade, among others. The long-running Channel 4 competition series, where five comedians perform absurd tasks set by Alex Horne and judged by Greg Davies, returns with a new cohort.
Series 21 Finale Recap
Thursday night saw the heated finale of series 21, where Kumail Nanjiani, Armando Iannucci, Amy Gledhill, Joel Dommett, and Joanna Page competed for the golden bust of Greg Davies. Joanna Page, known for Gavin and Stacey, emerged victorious, joining past winners like Mathew Baynton, Josh Widdicombe, and Mae Martin. She expressed that her family's obsession with the show drove her to participate, saying, 'For God's sake, they will absolutely kill you if you do not do it.'
Series 22 Contestants
The new lineup includes Edinburgh Fringe favorite Chloe Petts, comic and writer Isy Suttie (Peep Show), ventriloquist Nina Conti, Matt Lucas (Little Britain, Doctor Who), and Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd). Channel 4 teases, 'Like so many before them, they all believe they can impress the Taskmaster, but only one can take home the glory.'
Backlash Over Casting
The casting of Lucas and Ayoade has faced backlash due to their past controversies. Lucas faced criticism for his role in Little Britain, which included racist, homophobic, and ableist sketches. In 2020, he apologized, stating, 'We want to make it clear that it was wrong and we are very sorry.' Ayoade has been criticized for supporting IT Crowd writer Graham Linehan, known for controversial views on transgender issues. It remains to be seen how this affects viewership.
No release date for series 22 has been announced. Taskmaster is available to stream on Channel 4.
