The iconic and wildly unpredictable show Taskmaster makes its triumphant return with Series 20, premiering on September 12, 2025, on Channel 4. For the uninitiated, the format is deceptively simple yet endlessly entertaining: five comedians are presented with a series of bizarre and brilliantly conceived challenges designed to test their creativity, lateral thinking, and sheer willingness to look foolish. The tasks range from the straightforward (“Impress the Taskmaster”) to the utterly incomprehensible (“Make the best thing out of this specific leaf”), all administered by the long-suffering and rule-obsessed assistant, Alex Horne.

However, the true heart of the show is the power dynamic in the studio. Here, the mighty Taskmaster, Greg Davies, sits upon his throne, passing final judgment on the contestants’ efforts with the terrifying grandeur of a capricious god and the wit of a seasoned stand-up. His arbitrary scoring and hilarious, withering critiques are what transform the filmed segments from funny clips into comedic legend. The studio banter, the arguments over points, and the sheer camaraderie (and rivalry) between the contestants create a unique alchemy of comedy that has made Taskmaster a global phenomenon.

Taskmaster Season 20: Host & Contestants

1. Greg Davies as The Taskmaster

Greg Davies, a comedic titan standing at 6’8″, is best known for his roles in British sitcoms like The Inbetweeners (as the iconic Mr. Gilbert) and Cuckoo. His career began in stand-up comedy, where he developed his signature style of loud, authoritative, and often surreal storytelling. His presence is inherently commanding, a quality that he harnesses perfectly for his role as the Taskmaster. On the show, he is the absolute dictator of the whimsical universe, his word is law, and his laughter (or scorn) is the ultimate reward (or punishment) for the contestants.

Davies’s genius as the Taskmaster lies in his ability to be both terrifying and utterly hilarious. He masterfully improvises alongside the contestants, using their failures as fuel for extended riffs and brutal, yet good-natured, put-downs. His dynamic with his much smaller assistant, Alex Horne, is the bedrock of the show—a perfect comedy duo of a grandiose king and his meticulous jester. Davies doesn’t just host the show; he presides over it, creating an atmosphere where absurdity is respected and failure is often more celebrated than success.

2. Alex Horne as The Taskmaster’s Assistant

Alex Horne is the brilliant, albeit long-suffering, mind behind the entire Taskmaster concept. A renowned comedian, musician, and bandleader (Alex Horne and the Horne Section), he originally developed the show for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. As the assistant, his role is to meticulously explain the tasks on film, observe the contestants’ chaotic attempts with a deadpan expression, and then faithfully report back to the Taskmaster in the studio. He is the keeper of the rules, the scribe of the show, and the silent witness to every act of genius and idiocy.

Horne’s comedy is one of subtlety and precision, which provides the perfect counterbalance to Greg Davies’s bombastic reign. His slight grimaces, subtle smirks, and occasional breaking of character are gold mines for observant viewers. He is the unflappable straight man in the field, yet in the studio, he often becomes the target of Davies’s mockery, accepting it all with a resigned dignity. Horne is the engine of the show; his intricate task designs are the seeds from which the entire forest of comedic chaos grows, making him the undisputed MVP behind the scenes.

The Contestants: A Mix of Comedy Royalty and Rising Stars

This series boasts one of the most exciting and diverse line-ups in the show’s history, promising a fantastic clash of comedic styles.

• Mathew Baynton (of Horrible Histories and Ghosts fame) brings his intellectual wit and character-acting prowess, likely leading to either meticulously planned solutions or wonderfully over-thought disasters.

• Maisie Adam, a master of high-energy stand-up and quick-witted storytelling, will undoubtedly approach tasks with infectious enthusiasm and a sharp, competitive edge.

• Sanjeev Bhaskar, a national treasure from The Kumars at No. 42 and Goodness Gracious Me, offers a more measured, sophisticated, and wonderfully dry humor that will clash beautifully with the inherent silliness of the tasks.

• Fatiha El-Ghorri, a rising star in the comedy circuit known for her brilliantly observed and awkwardly hilarious stand-up, will likely provide uniquely creative and quietly chaotic task attempts.

• Jason Mantzoukas, the legendary American chaos agent from The League and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, is the wild card. Known for his unhinged and loud comedic persona, his inclusion promises absolute, unpredictable pandemonium, making him a contender for the most brilliantly unhelpful contestant ever.

The series also features a stellar supporting cast of comedians including Phil Ellis, Stevie Martin, Ania Magliano, Reece Shearsmith (of The League of Gentlemen), Rosie Ramsey, and Nish Kumar (returning for a champion of champions special?), ensuring that every episode is packed with a unique blend of chaos, ingenuity, and side-splitting laughter. The uncredited roles (Amy Tuckwell, Jenny Walker, Becky Cant) are likely members of the essential production crew who occasionally appear on screen during tasks.