The heart-warming and captivating series, The Piano, is set to make a triumphant return to screens for an additional two series. Claudia Winkleman will once again take on the role of host, joined by the esteemed classical pianist Lang Lang and the internationally acclaimed performer Mika.
Produced by Love Productions, the highly anticipated new series of The Piano will expand from five to seven episodes, providing remarkable opportunities for undiscovered pianists to showcase their talent on public pianos across the United Kingdom, including some iconic new locations.
In a spectacular finale that captivated viewers, 13-year-old pianist Lucy stole the show with her awe-inspiring rendition of Debussy’s Arabesque at the Royal Festival Hall, leaving more than 2,000 spectators in awe. Since then, Lucy’s talent has won the hearts of the nation, earning her a performance at the coronation concert in front of distinguished royal guests.
Notably, fellow finalists Sean, Danny, and Jay have also achieved success following their appearances on the show. Sean and Jay are now collaborating on composing music together, while Sean and Danny are slated to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe in August.
The Piano has become Channel 4’s highest-rated new format since 2017’s “Old People’s Home for 4-Year-Olds,” with the first episode consolidating an impressive 2.7 million viewers. The series maintained an average of 2.7 million viewers throughout, garnering praise from audiences nationwide for its unique and refreshing take on music talent shows.
Additionally, Love Productions will produce a special 60-minute Christmas episode that will see the return of some favourite pianists from the first series. They will enchant commuters at London’s King’s Cross Station with festive melodies. Claudia Winkleman will be present throughout, adding secret Santa moments and celebrity surprises to the occasion. Mika and Lang Lang will also be in attendance, overseeing the proceedings and offering their own special festive gifts.
Furthermore, Lucy’s exceptional talent will be explored in depth through a one-off documentary that follows Lucy and her piano teacher, Daniel. This 70-minute commission will delve into Lucy’s profound connection to the world around her and how she communicates through the language of music.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Ian Katz, Channel 4’s Chief Creative Officer, stated, “In a world full of wannabes seeking their moment in the limelight, The Piano was a breath of fresh air. It celebrated ordinary people doing something extraordinary for the sheer love of it. From the 94-year-old widower who played in Glasgow station to find company to Lucy, the remarkable 13-year-old who stole the nation’s hearts. It took viewers on a remarkable emotional roller coaster, and I’m delighted that it will be coming back for more British stations next year.”
Richard McKerrow, Creator and Executive Producer at Love Productions echoed Katz’s sentiment, saying, “It always felt somewhat of a creative leap, so we were particularly thrilled with the success of The Piano on Channel 4. Most especially, we were overwhelmed by the warm response from everyone who watched. We’re extremely excited to embark on further series with the wonderful Claudia Winkleman at the helm, alongside Mika and Lang Lang. We can’t wait to unearth a whole new range of unknown amateur pianists from across the country and discover the music they want to share with the public.”
The Piano was commissioned by Channel 4’s Head of Specialist Factual, Shaminder Nahal, and Senior Commissioning Editor of Documentaries, Madonna Benjamin. Richard McKerrow serves as the Executive Producer, and Ted Hill is the Series Editor for Love Productions.
The Lucy documentary is directed by Poppy Goodheart and executive produced by Kira Phillips.
