Hugh Skinner returns in Twenty Twenty Six: Interview
Twenty Twenty Six is the new BBC comedy from the makers of W1A and Twenty Twelve. Before it starts this Wednesday, read what actor Hugh Skinner had to say about reprising his role at the BBC...
A brand-new six-part comedy series arrives from the creators behind W1A and Twenty Twelve. This time, former BBC Head of Values Ian Fletcher steps into a major new position as Director of Integrity for an upcoming global football tournament.
Having previously overseen operations during the London Games in Twenty Twelve and later taken on the role of Head of Values at the BBC in W1A, Ian Fletcher (Hugh Bonneville) is now heading to the biggest stage in world football.
Set to be the largest tournament ever staged, the event will be hosted across the USA, Canada and Mexico, featuring 48 teams and 16 venues spread across vast distances throughout North America. With so many moving parts, what could possibly go wrong? Ian Fletcher is about to find out as he joins the Twenty Twenty Six Oversight Team in Miami.
Speaking about his new role, Ian Fletcher said: “I’m thrilled at the prospect of joining the Oversight Team in Miami for this unique event. And in terms of the Integrity role, to borrow a soccer analogy, this is a rare opportunity to set out your own goals and then score them on the global stage.”
Hugh Skinner (Will Humphries, Assistant to Ian Fletcher)
How would you describe your character in Twenty Twenty Six?
Will Humphries is Ian Fletcher’s assistant and is very well intentioned, but completely useless. Ian Fletcher previously sorted out the London 2012 Games, and then he got stuck in at the BBC, and now he’s tackling a major football tournament. I also played Will in W1A which was about seven years ago now and it’s great to be back.
So, how has Will changed since we last saw him in W1A?
Will hasn’t really changed in between W1A and Twenty Twenty Six nor does he throughout the new series and that is part of the glorious thing about John Morton’s characters - they don’t ever really change that much.
But one of the things I really liked in the new series, is the fact Ian takes Will aside and tells him not to apologise for himself and to have a bit more confidence, and it’s fine to be how he is. I thought it was such a beautifully different scene and I found it very moving when I read it.
What do you think the main differences are between W1A and Twenty Twenty Six?
The main differences are that there’s a whole new cast of American characters played by the most extraordinary group of actors and seeing how John Morton has taken on those vernaculars has been extraordinary! You also hear the voice of the documentary maker now as well, which is another side to it that I haven’t seen John do before which has been brilliant.
How does Will get on with the new characters?
He sort of gets in with the social media team, I wouldn’t say they get on amazingly well with him, but he’s pleased to have some people to sit next to, and then there’s Emily, another executive assistant who I’ll be honest isn’t very nice to him.
What are the aspects of your character you enjoy the most?
One of the things I love about playing Will is when he’s trying to do practical things because he does them very badly, so it’s perfect in a sense, because I can have a go and fail, and that is then right, which is ideal really! One of those things is doing keepy-uppies and I thought it would be fine, because I can’t do them but actually it turns out doing keepy-uppies badly is quite hard.
Do you play football?
No, I can’t play football at all, I have no control of a football and Will’s not supposed to have any control of the football, but when you’re not supposed to have any control of the football, but you are supposed to land a football in a really specific place… it’s beyond me! But I felt like I got through it without getting too embarrassed!
Why should people watch Twenty Twenty Six?
People should watch Twenty Twenty Six because it’s written and directed by John Morton and he’s got such an individual voice and he’s so specific. I read the script and it’s so brilliant on the page, and then he directs it and makes it more brilliant than you could have imagined. And then he goes into the edit it and makes it better again! It’s such a treat to work with him, he’s incredible, and I can’t wait for people to see it!
Twenty Twenty Six airs on BBC Two and is available on iPlayer from Wednesday 8 April.