EXCLUSIVE: CBC Celebrities, gather around! The names in the hot seat for season 2 of the Canadian version of The Assembly are here, and they have some collective star power.
Passionate rivalry star Hudson Williams, HangoverZach Galifianakis and It’s the end Actor Jay Baruchel signed up to be interviewed by a group of autistic and neurodivergent interviewers for the six-part series.
Also among the cast are three-time Olympic gold medalist Marie-Philip Poulin and Miss Universe Canada Ashley Callingbull, who appeared in the Netflix, CBC and APTN comedy. North of the northAnd singer-songwriter Lights.
The second season of the CBC show will premiere on CBC Gem and CBC TV on Sunday, November 1 at 9 p.m. ET (9:30 a.m. NT). The “Producer’s Cuts” special will air on CBC Gem the same day starting at 9 a.m. ET. Here is the trailer.
The Assembly began its life in France on France Télévisions as The Papotin Meetingsand has since spawned recurring versions in countries including the United Kingdom, Spain and Australia. Guests across all versions included Camille Cottin, President Emmanuel Macron, Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen, David Tennant, Stephen Fry and Sam Neil.
Each version features the cast of an audience of autistic and neurodivergent interviewers, who collectively interview celebrities in a ask-anything interview format. In Canada, interviewers from the first season will return alongside new ones.
“The response to The Assembly“The first season of was incredible,” said Jennifer Dettman, general manager, Unscripted Content, CBC. “Our interviewers bring such a fresh, honest energy to the traditional talk show, and we’re excited to feature more engaging conversations with some of the best-known national and international celebrities.”
In Canada, Small Army Entertainment is producing the series for CBC. Season 1 won a Canadian Screen Award for Best Direction, a Golden Sheaf Award at the Yorkton Film Festival, three Telly Awards and was nominated for the Banff Rockie Award.
“This season of The Assembly is full of surprises and promises to deliver even more heart, humor and authentic conversations that can only happen in a series like this,” added executive producer Stephen Sawchuk. “Being back for a second season shows that the series is resonating with audiences,” added Sean De Vries, the other executive producer. “It’s encouraging to have a successful series that thrives on authentic human connection.”
For CBC, Sally Catto is General Manager, Entertainment; Dettman is Executive Director, Unscripted Content; and Susan Taylor is executive in charge of production.
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