Taskmaster Australia returned in full force on Thursday, March 27, launching its fourth season with a mix of laughter, absurd challenges, and a cast that’s already capturing viewers’ hearts. The premiere drew a Total TV national reach of 800,000, with a national average audience of 402,000, reaffirming its place as one of Australia’s most beloved comedy shows.
Stream every episode of Taskmaster Australia for free on 10Play
B&T spoke with Sarah Thornton, head of non-scripted at Paramount Australia, to uncover what sets this season apart, the effort behind crafting the chaos, and why Taskmaster remains a favorite among both audiences and comedians.
Advertisement Every season of Taskmaster excites! I love how wildly different each season is, thanks to the tasks and the fresh lineup of comedians, This season, we have a really amazing cast including Dave Hughes, Emma Holland, Lisa McCune, Takashi Wakasugi and Tommy Little – the chemistry between them all is awesome. I love the freedom they have within the format, it’s so playful and fun.
said Thornton
Season 4 brings some fresh surprises, including the addition of location tasks. “This is the first year we include ‘location tasks’ where we filmed with the comedians on Cockatoo Island – it’s so fun,” said Thornton. “There is one task on the island where a couple of the comedians really outwit Tom Cashman, which is very funny.”
Read More: Emma Holland Reveals The Best Advice For Tackling Taskmaster Australia Season 4
The core of Taskmaster Australia stays true to its wildly entertaining format: a prize task, three pre-recorded field challenges, and a live in-studio game—all evaluated by Tom Gleeson’s signature dry wit, with Tom Cashman’s delightfully meticulous assistance.
We are so lucky to have Tom Gleeson host the show, he really was the perfect host for the Australian version, Tom Cashman has really made his own mark on the Taskmaster’s assistant role with his pedantic geek energy. They have great chemistry in studio together and each season I feel like it just gets better.
said Thornton
Chaos vs Control: The Wildest Team Matchups
The Chaotic Trio: Emma, Waka and Tommy
On paper, pairing an absurdist collage artist (Emma), a Japanese-Australian comedy samurai (Waka), and a high-energy radio troublemaker (Tommy) seems like a recipe for chaos. On screen, it’s even better.
“Emma, Waka, and Tommy are a chaotic trio,” Thornton shared. And they’re embracing the anarchy. Whether it’s misreading clues, over-engineering simple solutions, or just shouting conflicting ideas over each other, this team brings boundless energy and big laughs to every task.
Emma’s quick wit, Waka’s lovable confusion, and Tommy’s rebellious streak come together to form a group that may not always win… but will definitely entertain. Expect plenty of yelling, impromptu dance moves, and accidental brilliance.
The Odd Couple: Hughesy and Lisa
On the other end of the spectrum is the unlikely pairing of Dave Hughes and Lisa McCune, and their dynamic is just as captivating.
He’s the cheeky comedian with a voice that could cut through steel, while she’s the award-winning actress known for her poise and precision. Together, they’re figuring out how to communicate across very different wavelengths—and that’s where the magic happens.
Dave and Lisa work together as a duo, The chemistry between them all is awesome.
the producer said
Although their approach may seem more methodical, don’t be deceived—this team has amazed audiences with clever workarounds, unintentional blunders, and true moments of teamwork (with a lot of eye-rolling from Lisa). Think less chaos, more confusion… but with equally hilarious results. While the format originated in the UK, the Aussie version brings its own twist.
We were lucky to have that blueprint with the Taskmaster format, but Australians have a unique sense of humour. We have a brilliant writing team who work closely with the creator of Taskmaster, Alex Horne, who is really generous with his time.
As for the cast? Bringing this group together was no accident. “I have to give credit to our incredible talent booker, Jacinta Waters,” Thornton explained. “She is so knowledgeable and well-connected, but also always thinks outside the box. We are also lucky now that so many great comedians have come through the show and have all loved the experience so much that there seems to be a real buzz about taking part.”
With new challenges, unexpected twists, and a cast that’s clearly up for anything, this season is shaping up to be a knockout.
I genuinely adore this season of Taskmaster, it’s my favourite so far (although I say that every year). I think as a production team we try to get better every season and so, in this season, the tasks are definitely bigger and better than ever,
said Thornton
Source: B&T