New series follows him 'helping' the 2026 World Cup organisers

He delivered  the London Olympics in Twenty Twelve and was ‘head of values’ at the BBC in W1A – now Hugh Bonneville is to return as Ian Fletcher, taking a leadership role at the 2026 football World Cup.

The new BBC mockumentary sees the character take the role of ‘director of integrity’ at next year’s tournament, being hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

However, none of his team – including Jessica Hynes’s vacuous PR executive Siobhan Sharpe – are apparently coming with him.

Twenty Twenty Six 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.’

Joining Bonneville in the cast of the six-part series are Nick Blood, Chelsey Crisp, Paulo Costanzo, Stephen Kunken, Jimena Larraguivel, Alexis Michalik and Belinda Stewart-Wilson.

Jon Petrie, the BBC’s director of comedy said: ‘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.’

The series is being made by Expectation, whose creative director of scripted programmes, Nerys Evans, said: ‘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.'

And executive producer Paul Schlesinger added: '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.’

In character, Fletcher said: ‘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.’

Published: 19 Jun 2025