The BBC’s new comedy, Twenty Twenty Six, has gone down a storm with viewers. The new series, from the team behind the acclaimed corporate satire shows W1A and Twenty Twelve, has been hailed by audiences as “hilarious” and “perfect”.

The six-parter sees Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey) reprise his role as the bumbling Ian Fletcher, the former Head of Deliverance for the London Olympics and ex-Head of Values at the BBC, who takes on a new role as Director of Integrity for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

two men standing in office© BBC/Expectation Entertainment/Jack Barnes
Hugh Bonneville and Hugh Skinner reprise their roles as Ian and Will in Twenty Twenty Six

Hugh Skinner also makes a welcome return as Ian’s hapless assistant Will Humphries, who, along with Ian, joins the motley crew that makes up the tournament’s Oversight Team in Miami.

To read HELLO!‘s review, sign up for our What to Watch newsletter, which arrives in your inbox on Saturday.

In the meantime, find out what viewers have said about the show below…

Ian Fletcher (HUGH BONNEVILLE)© BBC/Expectation/Jack Barnes
The series follows Ian in his new role as Director of Integrity for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

What is Twenty Twenty Six about?

Twenty Twenty Six follows Ian Fletcher as he embarks on a new chapter in Miami as the director of integrity for the FIFA World Cup.

The synopsis reads: “Having previously held a leadership role on the London Games in Twenty Twelve and a spell as the Head of Values at the BBC in W1A, Ian Fletcher is now bound for the greatest stage in world football.

group of people in boardroom© BBC/Expectation Entertainment/Jack Barnes
Viewers have hailed the series as “brilliant”

“The tournament will be the biggest ever. Hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, with 48 countries taking part and 16 venues thousands of miles apart across the whole of North America; what could possibly go wrong? Ian Fletcher is about to find out, as he joins the Twenty Twenty Six Oversight Team in Miami.”

What have viewers said about Twenty Twenty Six?

Viewers have hailed the first episode as “absolutely brilliant”.

While some fans said they missed the original cast, others were impressed with the new season.

One person wrote on X: “Deliciously awkward and hilarious as I had hoped,” while another added: “This is [expletive] perfect.”

A third viewer penned: “Just watched the first episode of #twentytwentysix and it is absolutely brilliant #2026,” while another hailed the series as “gold”.

Who stars in Twenty Twenty Six?

Hugh Bonneville and Hugh Skinner reprise their roles as Ian Fletcher and Will Humphries, respectively.

Joining them are Chelsey Crisp (Fresh off The Boat, Ten Percent), Stephen Kunken (Billions, The Handmaid’s Tale), Paulo Costanzo (Designated Survivor, Royal Pains), Marli Siu (Everything I Know About Love, Alex Rider), Alexis Michalik (A Love Story), Joe Hewetson (Too Much, Sex Education), Nicole Sadie Sawyerr (EastEnders, Casualty) and Nick Blood (Day of The Jackal, Slow Horses).

man and woman sitting at desk © BBC/Expectation Entertainment/Jack Barnes
All episodes are available to stream on BBC iPlayer now

Rounding out the cast are Erin Kellyman (Eleanor the Great, Blitz) and Jimena Larraguivel (Patience and RSC).

How to watch Twenty Twenty Six

All six episodes of Twenty Twenty Six are available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.