A quiet revolution is unfolding on our screens, and it’s coming from a celebrity interview show unlike any other. The Assembly, a new ITV series that began as a one-off BBC pilot featuring Michael Sheen, is now being hailed as one of the most emotionally resonant, thought-provoking, and authentic formats to hit television in years. In just four episodes, it’s sparked national conversation and may be laying the groundwork for TV’s next great evolution.
What Is The Assembly and Why Is Everyone Talking About It?
Unlike traditional interview shows where questions are vetted and rehearsed, The Assembly flips the format entirely. In each episode, a well-known public figure, like David Tennant, Danny Dyer, Jade Thirlwall, or Gary Lineker, sits down with a panel of autistic, neurodivergent, or learning-disabled interviewers. No scripts. No PR filters. No limits.
The results? Raw, unpredictable, and refreshingly honest conversations that often reveal more about the celebrity guest than any press junket or talk show ever could.
A Format Rooted in Authenticity and Inclusion
The Assembly is inspired by the French TV format Les Rencontres du Papotin and first aired in the UK as a special during Autism Acceptance Week. That pilot episode, featuring Michael Sheen, saw 35 neurodivergent interviewers ask everything from lighthearted questions about his favorite sandwich filling to deep inquiries about grief, family, and identity. Sheen later called the experience “very loving and joyful,” despite not knowing what to expect.
What makes the show remarkable is how it celebrates spontaneity and vulnerability. There’s no attempt to control the narrative. Instead, viewers get a rare glimpse into real, unscripted human interaction, and the result is both uplifting and emotionally powerful.
Why Critics and Audiences Are Falling in Love with The Assembly
Since moving to ITV for a full series, The Assembly has earned rave reviews from both critics and viewers. Social media is awash with praise, calling the show “a masterclass in empathy,” “a beautiful reminder of humanity,” and simply “TV at its best.”
Each episode ends with a live musical performance, often leaving both studio guests and viewers at home in tears. It’s not just television, it’s a deeply human experience that resonates well beyond the screen.
Many are already demanding longer episodes and additional seasons. As one fan tweeted: “This show better be renewed. It’s such a refreshing and heartwarming watch.”
Representing the Underrepresented—And Doing It Right
The Assembly isn’t just a clever twist on your typical interview show, it digs a lot deeper. What makes it stand out is how it hands the mic to neurodivergent and learning-disabled communities, not just to share their stories, but to ask the questions. That small shift? It changes everything. Suddenly, they’re not just being looked at—they’re leading the conversation. And honestly, that kind of narrative flip is long overdue.
Take the episode with Michael Sheen, for example. It hit home for a lot of people. There’s a quiet kind of power in it, nothing flashy, just real listening, thoughtful questions, and a sense that both sides genuinely see each other. In a media landscape where “diversity” sometimes feels like a checkbox or a PR move, The Assembly actually means it. No, it’s not perfect, but it’s doing something rare: showing what authentic representation might actually look like when it’s not filtered through the usual lens.
Could The Assembly Be TV’s Next Path Breaker?
With only four episodes in its first ITV run, The Assembly has already done what many shows struggle to achieve in years: make an impact. Industry insiders believe it could earn major awards, with BAFTA buzz already building. More celebrities are reportedly lining up to appear in future episodes, eager to be part of something genuinely meaningful.
It’s not just another celebrity show. It’s a reimagining of what inclusive, honest, and emotionally intelligent television can look like.
Where to Watch The Assembly
If you’re in the UK and curious about all the buzz, you can catch The Assembly on ITV1. Prefer streaming? It’s available on ITVX too, and for bite-sized moments, ITV’s YouTube channel has clips worth checking out. Oh—and if you’re interested in how it all started, the original pilot featuring Michael Sheen is still up on BBC iPlayer.
To Sum it Up
The Assembly isn’t just another cookie-cutter celebrity interview show. It’s doing something different, something that feels real. There’s this raw, inclusive energy to it that makes you sit up and go, “Oh, this isn’t the usual polished PR spin.” And honestly? People are picking up on it. Early reactions suggest that this might just be the direction TV’s finally leaning into: something more open, more honest, and way more in tune with the messy, diverse world we live in.
