W1A sequel Twenty Twenty Six cast: New and returning stars in BBC comedy

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Hugh Bonneville is back in action as Ian Fletcher for Twenty Twenty Six, which is the third show to follow the executive as he muddles his way through tricky corporate crises.

Stepping away from the BBC (as depicted in W1A), Ian is now joining football's governing body in a position that opens up mere months ahead of an ambitious World Cup.

Not only will it bring dozens of national teams to North America for heated matches, but the tournament itself is spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico, each of whom want to further their own interests.

Ian will need every ounce of his diplomatic skill to keep all parties happy, with plenty at stake as hundreds of millions of fans eagerly await kick-off at the main event. Here's your introduction to the Twenty Twenty Six cast.

Twenty Twenty Six cast: Meet the new and returning stars

Cast of Twenty Twenty Six standing and sitting around a conference table in an office, with a wall map displaying various cities in the background. — The ensemble cast of Twenty Twenty Six. BBC / Expectation Entertainment / Jack Barnes

Here's an overview of the Twenty Twenty Six cast – read on for more on each character and the actor playing them, including where you might have seen them before.

Hugh Bonneville as Ian Fletcher
Hugh Skinner as Will Humphries
Chelsey Crisp as Sarah Campbell
Stephen Kunken as Owen Mitchell
Paulo Costanzo as Nick Castellano
Alexis Michalik as Eric Van Dupuytrens
Marli Siu as Mia So
Joe Hewetson as Zach Linksfeld
Nicole Sadie Sawyerr as Emily Nash
Nick Blood as Phil Plank
Jimena Larraguivel as Gabriela De La Rosa
Erin Kellyman as Madison Flynn

Hugh Bonneville plays Ian Fletcher

Hugh Bonneville as Ian Fletcher in Twenty Twenty Six, leaning on a chair with a map of the US on the wall behind him. — Hugh Bonneville as Ian Fletcher in Twenty Twenty Six. BBC / Expectation Entertainment / Jack Barnes

Who is Ian Fletcher? Ian is an executive whose previous job roles include Head of Deliverance at the London 2012 Olympic Games (as seen in Twenty Twelve) and the BBC's Head of Values (as seen in follow-up W1A).

Now he's moved to football's governing body to oversee the work on an elaborate World Cup, spread across three nations – each with their own climates, problems and agendas. In his new title, Director of Integrity, he's tasked with ensuring that decisions are made with the best interests at heart.

Ian is, as longtime viewers will remember, a somewhat self-interested but generally well-meaning type of person. His polite demeanour sometimes lands him in unenviable predicaments.

What else has Hugh Bonneville been in? One of the Britain's most recognisable faces, you've probably seen him in Downton Abbey, Paddington, The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin or Douglas is Cancelled.

Hugh Skinner plays Will Humphries

Hugh Skinner and Hugh Bonneville as Will and Ian in Twenty Twenty Six. BBC / Expectation Entertainment / Jack Barnes

Who is Will Humphries? First introduced in W1A, Will previously worked as Ian's PA at the BBC, securing the role after a shambolic internship. Although raised in an affluent upper middle-class family, Will has virtually no life skills and is capable of turning even the simplest task into an absolute headache. He's also recognisable for his fast-paced and flustered style of speech.

What else has Hugh Skinner been in? Skinner played Harry in Phoebe Waller-Bridge's smash-hit comedy Fleabag. He's also known for The Windsors, Harlots, The Witcher and period comedy-drama Wicked Little Letters.

David Tennant is the Narrator

David Tennant poses on the red carpet for the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards With P&O Cruises at The Royal Festival Hall on May 11, 2025 in London, England. — David Tennant attends the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards With P&O Cruises. Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images

Who is David Tennant? Presented in a documentary format, the events of Twenty Twenty Six (and its preceding shows W1A and Twenty Twelve) are narrated by famous actor David Tennant. He shot to stardom as the Tenth Doctor in BBC One's Doctor Who, but is also known for the likes of Broadchurch, Jessica Jones, Good Omens and Rivals.

Chelsey Crisp plays Sarah Campbell

Chelsey Crisp stars in Twenty Twenty Six; she is sat at a conference table in an office, smiling at someone ahead of her — Chelsey Crisp stars in Twenty Twenty Six. Expectation / BBC

Who is Sarah? Sarah is one of Ian's new coworkers, who oversees the sustainability efforts of the football tournament.

What else has Chelsey Crisp been in? Crisp previously worked with W1A and Twenty Twenty Six creator John Morton on Ten Percent; his English-language remake of French sitcom Call My Agent. She's probably best known for her main role on ABC sitcom Fresh Off the Boat, which aired six seasons between 2015 and 2020.

Nick Blood plays Phil Plank

Nick Blood as Phil Plank in Twenty Twenty Six; he is stood with his arms crossed, with two other men stood to either side, in an office setting — Nick Blood (centre) plays Phil Plank in Twenty Twenty Six. Expectation / BBC

Who is Phil Plank? Phil is a former footballer, whose career never really took off. Now, he's taking a behind-the-scenes role as the team's advisor for on-pitch protocols.

What else has Nick Blood been in? Blood rose to prominence with roles in sitcoms Trollied and Him & Her, plus Channel 4's cop comedy-drama Babylon. Later, he played Lance Hunter on Marvel's Agents of SHIELD and recently stepped back into the world of spy craft for Sky's The Day of the Jackal. Other credits include Joan, Euphoria and Rain Dogs.

Jimena Larraguivel plays Gabriela De La Rosa

Jimena Larraguivel plays Gabriela in Twenty Twenty Six; she is looking over at someone in an office setting, and wearing a green dress — Jimena Larraguivel plays Gabriela in Twenty Twenty Six. Expectation / BBC

Who is Gabriela? Gabriela is charged with overseeing optics and narrative around the event. As a proud Mexican, she is not-so-subtly pushing for her own country's interests as one of the three host nations (alongside the USA and Canada).

What else has Jimena Larraguivel been in? She recently featured in Channel 4's hit detective drama Patience.

Stephen Kunken plays Owen Mitchell

(L-R) Nick Blood, Jimena Larraguivel and Stephen Kunken star in Twenty Twenty Six; they are sat around a conference table, looking forward attentively towards an unseen speaker — (L-R) Nick Blood, Jimena Larraguivel and Stephen Kunken star in Twenty Twenty Six. BBC / Expectation Entertainment / Jack Barnes

Who is Owen? Owen is the team's head of logistics and execution, which is particularly crucial to a tournament with such enormous scope. He's also Canadian, which might influence his judgement in some instances.

What else has Stephen Kunken been in? You may have seen Kunken in hit dramas Billions, The Handmaid's Tale or The Affair.

Paulo Costanzo plays Nick Castellano

Paulo Costanzo plays Nick in Twenty Twenty Six; he is wearing a formal outfit and standing in an office with his arms crossed. He looks concerned. — Paulo Costanzo plays Nick in Twenty Twenty Six. Expectation / BBC

Who is Nick? Nick is the representative of business and legal affairs. As you'd expect, he's a tough negotiator with a keen focus on the bottom line, which others on the team find abrasive at best.

What else has Paulo Costanzo been in? Costanzo starred opposite Matt LeBlanc in Friends spin-off Joey, where he played the title character's nephew, Michael. He went on to take roles in sci-fi drama The Expanse, HBO miniseries The Night Of, political thriller Designated Survivor and Prime Video sitcom Upload.

Alexis Michalik plays Eric Van Dupuytrens

Alexis Michalik plays Eric in Twenty Twenty Six; he is stood in an office, leaning against a desk and smiling with his arms crossed — Alexis Michalik plays Eric in Twenty Twenty Six. Expectation / BBC

Who is Eric? Eric is essentially Ian's boss, serving as the chief representative from the governing body's headquarters.

What else has Alexis Michalik been in? Michalik has primarily worked in French film and television. Most recently, he appeared in The Three Musketeers: Milady, opposite Eva Green and Vincent Cassel.

Nicole Sadie Sawyerr plays Emily Nash

Nicole Sadie Sawyerr and Hugh Skinner star in Twenty Twenty Six; their characters are stood next to each other in an office — Nicole Sadie Sawyerr and Hugh Skinner star in Twenty Twenty Six. BBC / Expectation / Jack Barnes

Who is Emily? Emily is Eric's personal assistant.

What else has Nicole Sadie Sawyerr been in? Sawyerr recently appeared as Cheryl in long-running medical drama Casualty.

Erin Kellyman plays Madison Flynn

Erin Kellyman stars in Twenty Twenty Six. She is looking stressed while clutching a phone in one hand — Erin Kellyman stars in Twenty Twenty Six. Expectation / BBC

Who is Madison Flynn? Madison is the head of the social media team.

What else has Erin Kellyman been in? Kellyman did a tour of Disney franchises earlier in her career, with back-to-back roles in Solo: A Star Wars Story, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Willow. Other notable credits include The Green Knight, Blitz, Top Boy and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.

Marli Siu plays Mia So

Marli Siu plays Mia in Twenty Twenty Six; she is sat at an office desk, holding one hand to her chin, looking concerned — Marli Siu plays Mia in Twenty Twenty Six. BBC / Expectation / Jack Barnes

Who is Mia? Mia works with Madison and Zach on the social media team.

What else has Marli Siu been in? Siu has previously appeared in Alex Rider, the Prime Video/Freevee adaptation of Anthony Horowitz's young adult franchise, plus Everything I Know About Love and CBBC Online's Dixi.

Joe Hewetson plays Zach Linksfeld

Joe Hewetson plays Zach in Twenty Twenty Six; he is stood in an office holding a phone, with an excitedly shocked expression on his face — Joe Hewetson plays Zach in Twenty Twenty Six. Expectation / BBC

Who is Zach? Zach is the third and final member of the social media team, with a particular focus on identifying reputational threats.

What else has Joe Hewetson been in? Recently, Hewetson has made appearances in Sex Education, Too Much and Say Nothing.

Twenty Twenty Six premieres on BBC Two and iPlayer on Wednesday 8 April 2026.

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David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.