Claudia Winkleman to Front New BBC Chat Show

Claudia Winkleman is set to host a new chat show on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, launching in spring 2026. The program, simply titled The Claudia Winkleman Show, will fill the slot previously occupied by The Graham Norton Show and is produced by So Television, a part of ITV Studios – the company behind Norton’s successful program .

A New Voice for BBC Chat Shows

The announcement marks a significant shift for the BBC, as it’s the first time in decades a flagship evening talk show on the network will be hosted by a woman . Winkleman, known for her roles co-presenting Strictly Come Dancing and hosting The Traitors, expressed her gratitude and slight apprehension about the opportunity. “I can’t quite believe it and I’m incredibly grateful to the BBC for this amazing opportunity,” she said. “I’m obviously going to be awful, that goes without saying, but I’m over the moon they’re letting me try.”

Format and Guests

The Claudia Winkleman Show will follow a similar format to its predecessor, featuring lively conversations with prominent figures from film, television, music, and other fields, all before a live studio audience . The first episode, airing on March 13, 2026, will feature a diverse lineup of guests including actor Jeff Goldblum, known for his roles in Jurassic Park and Wicked, who will discuss his band, The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra . Also appearing will be actress Vanessa Williams, discussing her performance in The Devil Wears Prada, national treasure Jennifer Saunders talking about her new film, The Magic Faraway Tree, and comedian Tom Allen promoting his new book, Common Decency .

Production and Commissioning

So Television, led by Managing Director Graham Stuart, is producing the show. Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at the BBC, praised Winkleman’s ability to connect with guests and audiences alike, stating she is a “true national treasure – warm, witty and endlessly entertaining” . The show will consist of seven 50-minute episodes , available on both BBC One and BBC iPlayer.