ITV has commisioned a new all-star panel show hosted by Alexander Armstrong. The Imitation Game will see top impressionists Rory Bremner and Debra Stephenson lead as team captains as they are joined by the UK’s favourite mimics and comedians including confirmed guests; Alistair McGowan, Jan Ravens, Jon Culshaw, Ronni Ancona, Anil Desai and Jess Robinson (Britain’s Got Talent).
Each week on ITV, both teams will go head-to-head in a number of fast-paced games and challenges where they must provide a variety of impressions - as they re-enact iconic movie scenes, re-voice news footage, blast out some surprising cover versions and put unlikely words in the mouths of all kinds of celebrities.
Co-produced by Big Talk Productions (Cold Feet, Mum) and Random Entertainment (I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, The Unbelievable Truth), the series brings together a long line of A-list celebrities brought alive by the impressionists and puts them in situations you would never expect to see them in: from Donald Trump rubbing shoulders with Holly Willoughby, Boris Johnson duetting with Adele and Russell Brand wooing Mary Berry.
Alexander Armstrong said: “ I’m so excited to be a part of this one of a kind panel show, alongside the brilliant Rory Bremner and Debra Stephenson and a host of incredible guest impressionists, and ‘celebrities”
Debra Stephenson said: " I'm so thrilled to be involved in this unique new panel show, playing opposite the "awesomeness" that is Rory Bremner - as well as a plethora of the country's most talented impressionists. With comedy, music and the fabulous Alexander Armstrong hosting, it's the most fun you can have in one TV studio!"
Rory Bremner added: " How do you get over 50 characters for the price of 4? Well, you do a panel show with impressionists. There are some brilliant mimics out there and bringing them together to perform challenges will be great fun. I’m very excited to be involved and looking forward to it”
Saskia Schuster, ITV’s Comedy Controller commented: "In the hands of our brilliant impressionists, it's going to be so much fun to see who's going to be dropping in to The Imitation Game to play along. It's a rare thing for a show to potentially have Donald Trump, Mary Berry, Adele and Phillip Schofield as guests!"
Kenton Allen added: " Jon Naismith and Graeme Garden are undisputed panel show kings so we’re delighted to be collaborating with them on this extremely funny and original twist on the genre"
The Imitation Game was commissioned by Saskia Schuster, ITV’s Commissioning Editor for Entertainment and Comedy. Executive produced by Kenton Allen, Matthew Justice and Saurabh Kakkar for Big Talk and Jon Naismith and Graeme Garden for Random Entertainment. Series produced by Ruth Wallace. The series will film this month to be broadcast later in the year.
