The hit British comedy format is getting a French adaptation, with the six-episode series expected to launch in 2027.

Taskmaster is heading to France, with broadcaster TF1 commissioning a local version of the hit British comedy entertainment format, starring French television presenter Camille Combal.

The six-part series is being produced by 1367 Productions and is already in production, with a planned launch in 2027. Combal will take on the role of the Taskmaster’s assistant as well as producing the programme, bringing the format to a new audience after its success across multiple international territories.

The announcement was made at MIPCOM in Cannes, where the latest deal added France to the growing list of countries to adapt the show. Created by Alex Horne, Taskmaster has become one of Britain’s most recognisable comedy formats by turning seemingly simple tasks into elaborate tests of creativity, quick thinking and comic timing.

How will the French version of Taskmaster work?

The French adaptation will follow the familiar premise of the original, bringing comedians and other well-known personalities together to tackle a series of unusual challenges. Contestants are judged on their attempts to complete each task, with the results often proving just as entertaining as the challenges themselves.

In the UK version, Greg Davies presides over the contestants as the Taskmaster, while Horne acts as his assistant and oversees the tasks. The format’s appeal comes from the unpredictable results, the contestants’ different approaches and the freedom to turn straightforward instructions into wonderfully elaborate disasters.

Combal is already a familiar face to French viewers, having hosted programmes including TF1’s The Masked Singer. His appointment gives the new adaptation an established television personality at its centre, while his role behind the scenes means he will also help shape the French version.

Taskmaster continues its international expansion

France joins a growing international family of Taskmaster adaptations, with local versions produced in 15 territories outside the UK. The format has found audiences across Europe and beyond, including in Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Portugal and Belgium.

The international expansion has continued during 2026, with new deals and returning series demonstrating the format’s ability to work across different television markets. The Polish adaptation has already moved into production on a second series, while versions in Estonia and Iceland have been recommissioned following their debuts this year.

According to distributor Avalon, Taskmaster has been the third most-travelled television format globally this year, with deals in seven new territories during 2026. More than 100 seasons and 1,000 hours of the programme have now been produced worldwide, underlining the scale of its international reach.

The original British series also remains a major part of the format’s success. Channel 4 has commissioned the UK version through to series 27, giving the show a long-term future at home while international broadcasters continue to develop their own interpretations.

What Alex Horne thinks about the French adaptation

Horne has welcomed the prospect of seeing the format take shape in France, joking that the country will be considerably easier for him to visit than New Zealand. The creator has said he tries to watch local versions being made wherever possible, reflecting his interest in how different countries interpret the same basic idea.

The French version will have to establish its own identity while retaining the elements that have made the original so popular. The relationship between the Taskmaster and assistant is central to the format, as is the chemistry between the contestants as they compare their approaches and react to the results.

For TF1, the commission adds an established international format to its entertainment line-up, with the broadcaster hoping to bring audiences together through comedy and playful competition. The series is expected to arrive in 2027, although an exact premiere date and the full contestant line-up have not yet been announced.

With filming already underway, the French adaptation is now the latest test of whether Taskmaster’s distinctive mix of absurd challenges and competitive comedy can win over another national audience.