CBC’s popular unscripted show, The Assembly, is back for its second season, featuring six new celebrity interviews and a larger cast of over 30 neurodivergent and autistic adults questioning the guests. The lineup of celebrity guests includes actors Hudson Williams (Heated Rivalry), Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover), and Jay Baruchel (This is the End).
The new season, consisting of six episodes, will showcase interviews with notable figures such as actor and Miss Universe Canada Ashley Callingbull (North of North), singer-songwriter Lights, and three-time Olympic hockey gold medalist Marie-Philip Poulin. Each celebrity will face a no-holds-barred interview session, characterized by direct and unexpected questions that delve into personal aspects rather than conventional promotional topics.
The show’s unique format allows for genuine and candid exchanges, embracing moments of humor, awkward pauses, and authentic connections. Drawing inspiration from the French program Les Rencontres du Papotin, which premiered in 2022 with guests like Camille Cottin and French President Emmanuel Macron, The Assembly has gained international recognition. Variants of the show in other countries have featured renowned personalities such as Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen, David Tennant, and Stephen Fry.
The inaugural season of The Assembly received accolades, including a Canadian Screen Award for best direction, three Telly Awards, a Golden Sheaf Award at the Yorkton Film Festival, and a nomination for a Banff Rockie Award. Jennifer Dettman, CBC’s executive director of unscripted content, expressed enthusiasm for the fresh and honest energy showcased by the interviewers in the first season. Executive producers Stephen Sawchuk and Sean De Vries are optimistic that the upcoming season will continue to deliver heartfelt, humorous, and genuine conversations.
Produced by Vancouver-based Small Army Entertainment, the second season of The Assembly premieres on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 9 p.m. ET on CBC TV and CBC Gem. Exclusive “producer’s cuts” will be available on CBC Gem starting at 9 a.m. ET on the same day.