Maisie Adam, the sharp-witted Yorkshire comedian known for her appearances on shows like Mock the Week, Have I Got News for You, and Amazon Prime’s Last One Laughing, has been making waves not just on the stage but also in the world of arts and culture. At 32, Adam’s star continues to rise, and her recent activities and candid interviews reveal a vibrant tapestry of tastes, influences, and personal philosophies that make her a compelling figure both on and off the screen.
Over the weekend of April 11-12, 2026, Adam paid a visit to the Powder Monkey Taphouse, a popular Portsmouth haunt, accompanied by her family. According to The Portsmouth News, this wasn’t her first time at the Powder Monkey, as she’s previously attended their markets, cementing her ties to the local area. The visit coincided with the recent revival of Pompey Royal, a historic local beer with deep roots in Portsmouth’s pub culture. Andy Burdon, CEO of Powder Monkey Brewing Co., explained the significance, stating, “We see Pompey Royal as more than just a beer — it’s part of Portsmouth’s identity. This is about making sure it remains a living part of the city, not something that fades into history.” Adam’s presence at the Taphouse underscored her appreciation for community traditions and the importance of local heritage.
But it’s not just community and comedy that animate Adam’s life. In interviews published on April 13 and 14, 2026, she offered an intimate look at her cultural landscape, sharing everything from literary loves to musical memories. Her favorite book? Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire, which she studied under the guidance of a memorable teacher named Mr. Bean. The play’s complex characters and emotional depth left a lasting impression, revealing Adam’s fondness for narratives that explore the raw edges of the human experience.
Currently, Adam is engrossed in Andi Osho’s Most Wanted, a comedic novel that cleverly tackles the housing crisis. The story, which follows two characters raising crime rates to make their neighborhood more affordable, resonated with Adam’s whimsical yet reflective approach to serious social issues. “It’s about two people who are struggling to get onto the property ladder, so they take it into their own hands to raise the crime rate to make the area more affordable,” she explained. This blend of humor and social commentary fits neatly with Adam’s own comedic sensibilities.
Literary aspirations and unfinished business also pepper her reading history. As a proud Yorkshire native, she wishes she had penned Wuthering Heights, a nod to her regional roots. Yet, not all classics have been smooth sailing: Joseph Heller’s Catch-22 proved too dense to finish during the pandemic. “Lots of people say it’s an absolute classic, but I tried to read it in the pandemic, so maybe it wasn’t the right time. I found myself zoning out,” she admitted. The Bible, too, remains partially unread—not for lack of interest, but because, in her words, “I guess it’s kind of ruined for me because I know the ending.”
Adam’s cultural palette isn’t limited to books. Film and theatre hold a special place in her heart. Her favorite film, This Is England, stands out for its authenticity. “You can tell it’s made very authentically by people who understand those worlds and backgrounds,” she noted. The stage also beckons, with Arthur Miller’s The Crucible nearly matching Williams’ play in her affections. A production she attended as a teenager in Sheffield left a powerful mark, shaping her appreciation for live performance.
Television is another source of joy and comfort. Adam counts Friends as her all-time favorite series, praising its timelessness and the way viewers’ perceptions of characters shift with age. “The more you grow up, you realise you’re not the character you most thought you were like when you started watching it,” she reflected, recalling her own evolution from identifying with Phoebe to embracing her inner Monica.
Music, too, is woven into the fabric of Adam’s life. Etta James’ “A Sunday Kind of Love” is particularly dear, tied to early days of romance with her husband, when their schedules only aligned on Sundays. The couple even chose it as their wedding’s first dance. Nat King Cole’s “Pick Yourself Up” brings bittersweet memories, conjuring feelings from the loss of her grandmother while in New Orleans. “It was really hard because we were really close. She loved her jazz music,” Adam shared, revealing the deep emotional resonance music can carry.
She also admires the lyricism of Bad Bunny, especially in “DtMF,” and finds strength in Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill,” a song that supported her family during her early medical struggles. “The strength this song gave her [my mum] helped her through that time and probably helped me as well,” Adam recounted.
Adam’s musical tastes are as diverse as her experiences. She’s a fan of ska as a pre-show energizer, and while she once played the drums, she wishes she’d stuck with it longer. “If you ask me to learn a new skill, I’m incredibly stubborn. It’s an awful trait of mine,” she confessed with a laugh. Her guilty pleasure? ABBA’s “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight),” which she says is guaranteed to get her on the dance floor.
Art and personal mementos also feature prominently in Adam’s world. She would love to own an untitled Keith Haring painting of two figures carrying a heart, but finds more value in the personal: “My granny used to have her coffee tables with a glass top, and underneath the glass were actual printed photographs from all over. It was such a point of conversation for whoever came around and far more personal… than just having a Tom Ford book and a Chanel book.”
Looking ahead, Adam is excited for Lily Allen’s West End Girl concert in June 2026, though she admits to being nervous about the sea of phones likely to greet her at the event. She dreams of hosting a dinner party with Noël Coward, Mary Shelley, Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo, and Billy Connolly, with Raye’s music providing the soundtrack—an eclectic gathering that speaks to Adam’s wide-ranging curiosity.
Despite her many interests, Adam’s Yorkshire grit remains a defining trait. She refuses to walk out of performances or football games, no matter how dire the situation. “If I’ve paid, I’ve paid — I’m sticking it out to the end,” she declared, underscoring her steadfastness.
As she prepares for her upcoming tour starting September 17, Adam continues to delight audiences with her humor, insight, and unpretentious love for the arts. Whether on stage, at a local taphouse, or curled up with a good book, she remains a vibrant force on the British cultural scene.