What To Know
- Nigella Lawson will replace longtime judge Prue Leith on the new season of The Great British Baking Show.
- The series shared a first look at Lawson’s Baking Show debut via social media.
- The competition show is expected to premiere on Channel 4 in the U.K. next month and will likely air on Netflix for U.S. viewers this fall.
The upcoming season of The Great British Baking Show will not only feature a new group of talented bakers, but also a new judge.
As production on the upcoming season of the beloved baking competition series (a.k.a. The Great British Bake Off) concludes, the show gave fans a first look at new judge Nigella Lawson‘s debut. “Life is about to get sweeter. Bake Off is coming soon…” the show’s Instagram page captioned a Sunday, August 16, photo featuring Lawson alongside fellow judge Paul Hollywood and hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding.
Fans shared their excitement over the show’s return in the post’s comments. “I am ready with my cup of tea, pyjamas are on, candle is lit – it is bake off season!!!” one user exclaimed. Another added, “Nothing is important anymore. The Bake Off count down is back.”
Someone else stated, “I’m sooooo excited for the Nigella reign!!!!” A different person posted, “Cannot wait to see Nigella on the show.” A separate commenter stated, “We’re going to miss prue so much! But your casting folks are on point….excited to see the new team dynamic!”
In a comment of her own, Lawson wrote, “I love being part of this gang!” Hollywood gushed, “This has been a dream this year, thanks Gang.” Fielding joked that the group looked like the band The Mamas & the Papas, while Hammond said she was “excited” for fans to see what’s to come.
Back in January, longtime judge Prue Leith announced that she would be leaving the beloved baking competition series (a.k.a. The Great British Bake Off) after nine years. “Bake Off has been a fabulous part of my life for the last nine years, I have genuinely loved it and I’m sure I’ll miss working with my fellow judge Paul, Alison and Noel and the teams at Love Productions and Channel 4,” she said in a social media statement at the time.
Leith continued, “Now feels like the right time to step back (I’m 86 for goodness sake!), there’s so much I’d like to do, not least spend summers enjoying my garden. Whoever joins the team, I’m sure they’ll love it as much as I have. I feel very lucky to have been part of it.”
Lawson, who is best known as a TV personality and cookbook author, was announced as Leith’s official replacement later that month. “I’m uncharacteristically rather lost for words right now!” she said in a January 26 Instagram statement. “Of course it’s daunting to be following in the footsteps of Prue Leith and Mary Berry before her, great dames both, but I’m also bubbling with excitement.”
She added, “The Great British Bake Off is more than a television programme, it’s a National Treasure – and it’s a huge honour to be entrusted with it. I’m just thrilled to be joining the team and all the new bakers to come. I wish the marvellous Prue all the best, and am giddily grateful for the opportunity!”
The Great British Baking Show airs on Channel 4 in the U.K. According to the network’s website, the new photo of Lawson and the cast was snapped on the first day of filming. Production has officially wrapped, and the season is expected to premiere on Channel 4 next month, meaning it will likely hit Netflix for U.S. viewers this fall.
The Great British Baking Show, Streaming Now, Netflix