Hugh Bonneville’s Football Comedy ‘Twenty Twenty Six’ Gains Popularity in America with BritBox and Tubi Partnership
EXCLUSIVE: The BBC’s satirical take on soccer tournaments, Twenty Twenty Six, is set to debut on two American streaming platforms.
In an unusual move, BBC Studios has secured distribution deals with both BritBox and Tubi for the sitcom, created by John Morton. The six-part series features actor Hugh Bonneville reprising his role as Ian Fletcher from W1A, alongside a primarily North American cast that includes Chelsey Crisp, Stephen Kunken, and Paulo Costanzo.
Premiering last week on the BBC, Twenty Twenty Six will launch in the U.S. on May 1, streaming on Tubi and BritBox, as well as on Blue Ant Media’s BBC First in Canada.
In the series, Fletcher travels to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to support a highly anticipated soccer tournament, assuming the role of Head of Integrity for the Twenty Twenty Six Oversight team. The show introduces viewers to a variety of new characters portrayed by the fresh cast.
Given its setting and American talent, Twenty Twenty Six was primed for a U.S. co-production partner. However, securing two non-exclusive deals simultaneously is a rare achievement. BritBox, owned by BBC Studios, currently streams Morton’s previous series, W1A and Twenty Twelve. Tubi, on the other hand, is a broadcast partner for this summer’s soccer world cup in the U.S. This dual distribution model, while uncommon, has precedent; BBC Studios previously arranged similar agreements for The Jetty.
Lawrence Szabo, BBC Studios’ EVP of Content Distribution for North America and Latin America, praised the show for its timely relevance and sharp humor. “We are thrilled to find such distinct homes for this sports-themed, workplace comedy,” he stated. “Bringing these three partners together highlights the versatility of our portfolio and our commitment to ensuring that world-class British storytelling reaches U.S. viewers who appreciate it.”
Twenty Twenty Six is produced by Expectation, with additional climate and health expertise provided by OKRE. The series was commissioned by Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy, and is written and directed by Morton. Key production staff includes producer Catherine Gosling Fuller and executive producers Paul Schlesinger, Nerys Evans, and Morton, with Emma Lawson serving as the BBC commissioning editor.
