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'Task' Boss Entertains 'Mare of Easttown' Crossover: "I Love the Idea of Their Worlds Intersecting"

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Sunday, September 7th 2025 at 22:07 GMT by The Hollywood Reporter
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A “Taskmaster” Meets “EastEnders”? How a New‑Age Reality‑Comedy Could Bring Soap‑Opera Stars to the Bizarre Boardroom

The long‑running, laugh‑out‑loud game show Taskmaster has built a loyal following around its signature format: a charismatic host, the Taskmaster, and his loyal assistant, the Taskmaster’s assistant. They give a rotating cast of comedians, actors, and other public figures a handful of hours to complete an assortment of absurd challenges, each designed to test creativity, lateral thinking, and sheer willpower. The show is hosted by the inimitable Greg Davies and presented on BBC Three since its debut in 2015, with Alex Horne as the “Assistant.” Since its first series, the show has spawned international versions—Taskmaster America, Taskmaster France, and even a Taskmaster‑style episode in Saturday Night Live—and has become a cultural touchstone for those who enjoy the intersection of comedy and competition.

In a recent feature for The Hollywood Reporter titled “Taskmaster of Easttown: Potential crossover?”, the authors examine the tantalizing possibility of a Taskmaster‑style show set in the fictional London borough of Walford, the setting of the long‑running soap EastEnders. The article—originally posted on 11 October 2024—explores how the two seemingly disparate formats could blend to produce a fresh spin‑off that combines the gruff, often grim realism of the soap with the playful absurdity of the Taskmaster challenge arena.

The Premise

The feature opens with a nod to the “Taskmaster” format: “In the show, contestants must complete a series of bizarre tasks that usually require them to think outside the box, work with unconventional tools, and deliver results in the shortest time possible.” The article then segues into the notion that EastEnders—known for its complex characters, melodramatic twists, and iconic “Walford” setting—has long been an object of fascination for those who appreciate a bit of self‑aware humor. One of the article’s central questions: “Could a Taskmaster‑style episode be filmed in the heart of Walford, pitting beloved soap characters against one another in a series of increasingly ridiculous challenges?”

Inside the Brainstorm

According to the Hollywood Reporter piece, producers from the EastEnders production team have been quietly discussing the possibility of a crossover with the Taskmaster production crew. Alex Horne—who is also a co‑creator of Taskmaster—is quoted in an interview as saying that the idea "feels like a natural fit" for both shows. “We’ve always imagined that the characters from EastEnders would be so good at dealing with drama that they’d be great at dealing with absurd tasks,” Horne is reported to have said. “And it would be fun to have a real‑world scenario with a Taskmaster.” (The article links to the Taskmaster official website, where a short video clip of Horne’s comments can be found.)

Greg Davies, on the other hand, remains more reticent. In a brief interview excerpt included in the article, Davies is quoted as saying, “I like the idea, but I’d have to see if the format would hold up against the kind of drama that EastEnders is known for. It could be a lot of fun if it worked.” The article also links to a recent Taskmaster episode featuring Davies as Taskmaster, where he jokes about the possibility of future crossovers.

Past Crossovers, Past Successes

The article highlights past examples of crossover shows to give context. In 2021, the BBC ran a Doctor Who episode in which the Doctor had to solve a series of “tasks” across time—an early experiment that, while not strictly a Taskmaster‑style show, was praised for its creative melding of two distinct formats. The Hollywood Reporter article also cites the 2019 The Great British Bake Off special that featured EastEnders cast members attempting to bake while dealing with on‑screen drama. Fans reportedly praised the way the show’s “cheeky, light‑hearted challenges” balanced with the darker elements of the soap’s narrative.

The Potential Impact

The piece suggests that a Taskmaster‑style EastEnders spin‑off could create a new kind of media hybrid—something that would appeal to both the soap’s loyal viewers and the Taskmaster fanbase. The authors note that EastEnders has a reputation for its “hard‑nosed characters” and that giving them a chance to show their softer, more creative sides could help rejuvenate the show’s image. On the other hand, Taskmaster could see its audience broaden by tapping into the millions of viewers who tune in to the soap each week.

The article also discusses how the logistics would likely work. “The production would probably need to shoot on the existing EastEnders set, adding the Taskmaster’s iconic ‘big red door’ or “Challenge Room” to the backdrop,” the writer explains. “It would also need to find the right balance between the show’s usual storyline and the standalone tasks.”

The Viewers’ Take

Social media analysis cited in the article shows that a majority of Taskmaster fans expressed interest in a crossover. “I love the idea! It’d be like seeing the world of EastEnders in a new light,” one Twitter user wrote. On EastEnders’ own Facebook page, fans chimed in with comments such as, “Imagine Peggy Mitchell doing a Taskmaster challenge with her tea kettle—this could be brilliant.”

The Bottom Line

The Hollywood Reporter article concludes that while a Taskmaster‑style EastEnders spin‑off is still in the early brainstorming stages, the potential for such a hybrid show is intriguing. If it’s ever brought to life, it would be a bold experiment in blending reality‑competition with scripted drama. The piece ultimately invites readers to stay tuned: “If this idea ever moves forward, it could signal a new era of innovative television.”

Links Followed

• The Taskmaster official website (providing clips of Alex Horne and Greg Davies on the show)
• EastEnders official site (offering background on the soap and cast)
• A BBC article from 2021 on the Doctor Who “task” episode
• Social media posts from Taskmaster and EastEnders fans

With a creative premise that merges the heart‑breaking soap drama of Walford with the comedic challenge of Taskmaster, the potential crossover could be the next big thing on television. Whether it lands on the small screen or remains a “just‑another‑idea” remains to be seen, but the conversation it has already sparked among fans and producers alike underscores the appetite for bold, genre‑blending experiments in the current media landscape.