Hugh Skinner Brings Back Beloved 'Will the Intern' Character After Nine Years
In a delightful return to form, actor Hugh Skinner is set to reprise his iconic role as the hapless Will the Intern in the new BBC spinoff series Twenty Twenty Six. The character, who first appeared in the Bafta-winning satire W1A, has been absent from screens for nearly a decade, but Skinner's portrayal remains as endearingly awkward as ever.
A Chance Encounter at Broadcasting House
Meeting Skinner at a café just outside Broadcasting House—the very setting of W1A—it's easy to see why fans might confuse him with his on-screen persona. "It happens," he reassures with a chuckle when addressed as Will. "I've played a lot of Wills and Harrys." Indeed, his career has been defined by a string of posh, bumbling characters, from Prince William in The Windsors to Harry in Fleabag and the younger version of Colin Firth in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
"I went to a private school, so I know that world," Skinner explains. "And I love playing people who are perceivably getting things wrong." This affinity for portraying endearing misfits has made Will the Intern a firm fan favourite, with his trademark lines like "Yeah, no worries, yeah, cool. Say again?" capturing the essence of corporate confusion.
The Return of Will in 'Twenty Twenty Six'
In Twenty Twenty Six, a spinoff set in Fifa HQ, Will has landed a job as a personal assistant to Ian Fletcher, played by Hugh Bonneville, who now serves as "head of integrity" ahead of the World Cup. Skinner reveals that not much has changed for the character: "Well, yeah, I don't know, yeah, mental," is his opening line, expressing disbelief at his new role.
Despite the nine-year gap, Will hasn't aged a day, thanks to what Skinner jokingly attributes to "being clean-shaven with a full face of makeup." At 41, the actor maintains a youthful appearance on screen, though in person, his nervous energy is palpable. "I find these things so nerve-wracking," he admits about interviews, constantly fidgeting in his seat.
Drawing from Real-Life Inspiration
Skinner based Will on a "lovely, earnest boy" he met at a wedding, but these days, he encounters real-life versions of the character at the BBC. "Interns will come up to me and go, 'Oh my God, it's so funny, I've actually got your job and everyone says I'm like you!'" he shares with amusement.
His dynamic with co-star Hugh Bonneville mirrors their on-screen relationship. "He is just such an amazing actor and a lovely person," Skinner says. "I feel a desire to impress him. I genuinely couldn't believe my luck the first time I was cast as Will, and I also can't believe I'm back."
The Art of John Morton's Writing
Skinner praises writer John Morton's scripts, which are renowned for their authentic dialogue and verbal tics. "His writing is so distinct," he notes. "He's so good at showing the verbal tics we get stuck on in an awkward situation. I find it hugely relatable." Unlike typical sitcom scripts, Morton's can run up to 75 pages for a 30-minute episode, packed with rapid-fire dialogue.
Twenty Twenty Six introduces a new setting in Miami, with an ensemble cast of American, Canadian, and Mexican actors. "The American characters are so earnest and so enthusiastic that [us Brits] aren't quite sure whether they're a threat or not," Skinner observes, highlighting the culture clash that defines the series.
From Drama School to Stardom
Skinner's path to acting wasn't straightforward. His parents, both medics, initially discouraged him, but after attending Eastbourne College, he earned a place at the London drama school Lamda. It was there he met Phoebe Waller-Bridge, with whom he later co-starred in Fleabag. "I'm just so happy for her," he says of her success, recalling their memorable shower scene with fondness.
However, his most enjoyable role was in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. "It was honestly mind-blowingly good, and slightly ruinous," he laughs, describing lavish dinners with castmates like Pierce Brosnan and unforgettable moments filming "Super Trouper." Despite not being a trained dancer, he embraced the challenge, even playing air guitar with a baguette in "Waterloo."
Looking Ahead
While Skinner won't be involved in the third Mamma Mia! film, he's excited about his upcoming role in the BBC drama Two Weeks in August, about a disastrous friends' holiday. This spring, he plans to dive into gardening, a new passion. As we part ways, he accidentally reaches for my tea, apologising profusely—a moment that perfectly encapsulates his endearing, Will-like charm.
Twenty Twenty Six premieres on BBC Two at 10pm on Wednesday, 8 April, marking a triumphant return for one of British comedy's most beloved characters.
