Twenty Twenty Six's Hugh Bonneville: 'There were probably about 38 takes of one thing, all because of me fluffing my lines'
Hugh Bonneville reprises his role as Ian Fletcher in Twenty Twenty Six.
Twenty Twenty Six's Hugh Bonneville caused one scene to have "about 38 takes" because he kept messing up.
The actor's alter ego Ian Fletcher has joined the Oversight Team in Miami for the 2026 FIFA World Cup - staged in the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer - following spells as the BBC's ex-Head of Values in W1A and in a leadership role for the London 2012 Olympic Games in Twenty Twelve.
There is a new batch of cast members, including Solo: A Star Wars Story's Erin Kellyman (Madison Flynn, Thought Leader), Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D alum Nick Blood (Phil Plank, VP on Pitch Protocols), and Joey star Paulo Costanzo (Nick Castellano, VP Business and Legal Affairs).
And Hugh, 62, had to give them a heads up that he may forget some dialogue.
According to the new issue of Best magazine, he explained: "I apologised for not being as up on the script as everyone else was. I always felt like the fading has-been that can't remember his lines anymore.
"I think there were probably about 38 takes of one thing, all because of me fluffing my lines."
But the cast and crew of Twenty Twenty Six were supportive of Hugh.
He added: "They were a fantastic team, and we've remained good friends, and I'm very grateful for that."
One familiar face who makes a comeback in the spoof is Will Humphries (Hugh Skinner), first introduced as the bumbling-but-well-intentioned assistant to Ian Fletcher in W1A.
And Bonneville was thrilled with the character's return.
Asked why viewers adore Ian and Will's relationship, he said: "I recently described Will as the Paddington of the office world.
"Ian realises he could not only break the photocopier, but also himself on the photocopier, and so he needs to be looked after.
"I think that's partly why we all warm towards the relationship between Will and Ian - there's an avuncular or at least a godson relationship."
Skinner, 41, was moved by one scene between Will and Ian.
He told the BBC: "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."
Twenty Twenty Six airs on Wednesday (08.04.26), on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer at 10pm, with all episodes being available at 6am on BBC iPlayer.
