Twenty Twenty Six proves this beloved BBC comedy hasn’t lost its edge

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Hugh Bonneville is back as Ian Fletcher in Twenty Twenty Six, the latest installment of the popular BBC comedy series. This six-episode mockumentary continues the story from Twenty Twelve and W1A, and finds Ian dealing with an organization that seems more chaotic than ever.

John Morton created this series, continuing the realistic, documentary-style approach of his previous work. But instead of focusing on the Olympics and the BBC, this show dives into the often-turbulent world of football management. The story unfolds in Miami, following a team preparing to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The team now includes new members like Sarah Campbell, played by Chelsey Crisp, and Phil Plank (Nick Blood). They’re working alongside Nick Castellano (Paulo Constanzo), who handles business and legal matters, and Owen Mitchell (Stephen Kunken), responsible for logistics, as well as Eric van Depuytrens (Alexis Michalik) and Gabriela de la Rosa (Jimena Larraguivel). Notably absent is marketing expert Siobhan Sharpe (Jessica Hynes). However, with David Tennant returning as the narrator, the show maintains its signature style – favoring subtle humor over flashy displays.

The discussions happening around this are getting increasingly strange, covering topics like environmental issues and odd publicity stunts. They’ve even gone so far as to censor the word “FIFA,” adding to the overall sense of bewilderment and disorientation that defines the whole thing.

Ian Fletcher means well, but he’s struggling to manage the disorganised office. He’s trying to bring structure to things, but it’s difficult because some team members are disengaged while others are too pushy, making teamwork a real challenge. Hugh Skinner’s return as Will Humphries, Ian’s confused assistant, provides a familiar face and helps connect this series to the other shows.

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The show Twenty Twenty Six uses a familiar structure that’s been successful since Twenty Twelve. Even after more than ten years, this approach still resonates with audiences. One reason for its continued success is that the show explores universal themes. Though the specific setting changes, it consistently focuses on complex systems that inevitably encounter problems.

What I love about this show is how funny it is when things don’t go as planned – it’s all in those little awkward moments. But honestly, it hasn’t been a hit with everyone. A few reviewers have said that Twenty Twenty Six feels a bit too similar to what’s come before, and doesn’t really bring anything new to the table.

The criticism isn’t completely off-base. The show intentionally uses a slow pace, with pauses and conversations that go in circles, instead of big, dramatic moments. While some viewers might want something faster or more obviously funny, this unique style is actually what makes the series stand out. In Twenty Twenty Six, the humor comes from things staying the same rather than changing.

Similar to previous works, Twenty Twenty Six uses humor that might not appeal to all viewers – think endless, unproductive meetings, stalled decisions, and constant delays. However, this is intentional; it’s the core of the show’s satire, mirroring real-world frustrations. So, what might seem like a flaw actually adds to the joke.

The show hasn’t tried to reinvent itself with a different style or tone. Whether that’s a good thing or not will probably depend on what viewers are hoping for. But considering the series is based on the idea that things rarely improve, it makes sense that it’s stayed true to its original approach.

You can watch Twenty Twenty Six on BBC Two every Wednesday at 10pm. If you miss an episode, you can find it on BBC iPlayer.

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2026-04-22 23:51