Taskmaster returned for a brand-new season on May 1, 2025, and fans are already hailing the cast as one of the show's strongest yet. Greg Davies and Alex Horne have welcomed five new celebrities to the famous studio for the first time, including Fatiha El-Ghorri, Jason Mantzoukas, Mathew Baynton, Rosie Ramsey, and Stevie Martin.
Following the launch episode for season 19, viewers took to social media to praise the "brilliant" cast. One fan even branded Ghosts star Mathew Baynton as "one of the all-time" best contestants. "Immediately love this cast and immediately naming Mathew Baynton as my fav," said another fan, with a third adding: "Amazing cast this series, could not stop laughing!!!" Another viewer hailed the episode as one of the "funniest and best episodes of this show to date," while a fifth said: "Already feels like this is the best all-round cast for a couple of series."
In the first episode, one of the standout challenges was the Pea Olympics, where contestants had to catch peas fired from catapults, find them hidden under cushions, and throw them into the grass. Baynton, a fan favorite known for his role in Ghosts, struggled during the challenge, often putting his face in his hands in frustration. At one point, he asked Horne, "Into the wind?" when trying to throw a pea, illustrating the difficulty he faced.
Baynton had a mishap when he tried to locate a pea under 26 cushions. Feeling the time pressure, he rushed around, tossing pillows aside, which sent his pea flying off into a corner and out of sight. Reflecting on his performance, he said, "If you don't mind I'd like to just dwell on the regret," before continuing with the tasks.
Despite his struggles, Baynton managed to perform better when tasked with making a carrot tower. However, he curled up into a ball on the floor when he couldn't balance a pea on top as required. As the video wrapped, Davies laughed, saying, "Mathew, we are not even one full episode into this series and I think you might be close to the edge." To which Baynton humorously replied, "That was not even close to my lowest ebb. I remember that fondly if anything."
Other tasks in the episode included a challenge where contestants had to move two jars of vinegar into a fish tank without spilling. The twist was that the full jars were placed on the backs of the stars' hands, without lids on, forcing them to figure out how to slip their hands free and transport the liquid without spilling it. The final challenge had the celebrities competing to get the most raisins into a wine glass, but they could only use their mouths and were not allowed to bend over.
Despite the comedic challenges and Baynton's initial struggles, he ended up being the first winner of the new series, leading the pack with a total of 19 points. Taskmaster airs on Thursdays at 9 p.m. on Channel 4, and the new season is set to run for nine weeks. The show's format continues to be a hit, as viewers appreciate the blend of humor and challenge.
Baynton, in an interview with Metro prior to the episode's premiere, teased that he did something he might regret for the rest of his life during the filming. "I did something it's fair to say I might regret for the rest of my life," he shared. "The bizarre thing about that is that no one is telling you what to do, it's your decision. So I was the maker of my own misfortune in that sense. It's like you just go into this strange mental space, and all you're thinking about is the task, and you're being forced to make decisions quite quickly, and you just do it and throw yourself into it. It's only when you’re in the car on the way home that you think, 'Oh shit, that's going on TV, that’s going to last forever.'"
Baynton also explained he had a "momentary wobble" before signing up for the season, noting that being on the show meant being open to being made fun of. He previously turned down appearances on panel shows due to nervousness about being himself but decided to join Taskmaster because he was a fan. "You’re not under pressure to be funny," he added. "It’s really just about submitting to it, being really open, and just trying to do whatever insane things you’re being asked to do, and it just looked like so much fun."
As the new season unfolds, viewers are eager to see how the rest of the contestants fare in the challenges and whether Baynton will continue to impress. Taskmaster has consistently provided a platform for laughter and entertainment, and this season seems poised to deliver even more memorable moments.
Taskmaster returns next Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 9 p.m. on Channel 4, promising more hilarious challenges and unexpected antics from its talented cast.
