W1A's Ian Fletcher to return in World Cup series Twenty Twenty Six
- W1A character Ian Fletcher (Hugh Bonneville) is to star in Twenty Twenty Six, a BBC comedy series set around the football World Cup
- The six-part series sees Ian Fletcher joining the Oversight Team in Miami as the tournament's Director of Integrity
- "It's 15 years since Ian Fletcher's journey started with the run-up to the London Olympics and we are delighted the BBC has given John another chance to capture the universal comedy of people trying to organise something really big in a room"
Hugh Bonneville is to return as Ian Fletcher, the character previously seen in W1A and Twenty Twelve, in six-part football World Cup themed series Twenty Twenty Six.
The news has been announced via a spoof BBC press release titled "BBC's former Head of Values Ian Fletcher appointed to exciting new role as Director of Integrity for upcoming global football tournament".
The BBC says: "Having previously held a leadership role on the London Games of Twenty Twelve and a spell in W1A as the Head of Values at the BBC, Ian Fletcher is now bound for the greatest stage in world football.
"Next year's tournament will be the biggest ever. Hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico with 48 countries taking part and 16 venues thousands of miles apart across the whole of North America; what could possibly go wrong? Ian Fletcher is about to find out, as he joins the Twenty Twenty Six Oversight Team in Miami as its Director of Integrity."
The character of Ian Fletcher comments: "I'm thrilled at the prospect of joining the Oversight Team in Miami for this unique event. And in terms of the Integrity role, to borrow a soccer analogy, this is a rare opportunity to set out your own goals and then score them on the global stage."
The BBC One series will see Bonneville joined on screen by actors Nick Blood, Chelsey Crisp, Paulo Costanzo, Stephen Kunken, Jimena Larraguivel, Alexis Michalik and Belinda Stewart-Wilson.
The show's writer and director John Morton says: "I wasn't sure what Ian Fletcher had been up to recently. The last I heard he was still recovering from a serious Mindfulness Course in Somerset. So, it's great to hear that he's made it back and has re-emerged in his natural habitat at the centre of a well-known institution, but now on the world stage and facing his biggest opportunity yet to get things right. I'm thrilled and hugely grateful to the BBC for giving me the chance to follow him again, this time all the way to Miami, and I literally can't wait to see what happens."
Executive producer Paul Schlesinger notes: "It's 15 years since Ian Fletcher's journey started with the run-up to the London Olympics and we are delighted the BBC has given John another chance to capture the universal comedy of people trying to organise something really big in a room, but this time with an outstanding international cast."
Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy, says: "We'll miss Ian's invaluable contribution to the BBC as Head of Values but how could he resist getting the call-up to be a part of one of the most expansive and ambitious sporting events in the world. We wish him, and the team, all the best."
Nerys Evans from producers Expectation adds: "I've been a fan of John's writing for such a long time, especially seeing the different challenges he creates for poor Ian Fletcher, so beautifully portrayed by Hugh Bonneville. We're thrilled to be collaborating on Twenty Twenty Six; I can't wait to see what he's got in store for Ian this time."