8 May 2026
Alan Carr and Susie Dent are back to meet more ‘unbelievable brains’
Channel 4 has announced the recommission of recent hit series Secret Genius, which will return for an extended run of seven episodes. Hosts Alan Carr and Susie Dent will be back to guide audiences through a fresh set of mindboggling challenges designed to uncover the hidden potential of ordinary people with extraordinary minds.
The first series, which attracted 2.1 million episode one viewers saw people from across the country and from different walks of life descend on Genius HQ to take on a series of epic, immersive intelligence games based on the challenges Mensa uses to measure IQ. The new series will have more games for viewers to play along with at home and test the smarts of both viewers and contestants in exciting new ways.
Alan Carr said: “I’m absolutely thrilled Secret Genius is back and to be doing this alongside Susie again! We met people last series with unbelievable brains who had no idea how brilliant they were and watching that penny drop was genuinely magical. This series feels really special - bigger, more playful, and giving everyone at home the chance to join in and maybe discover a bit of hidden genius themselves. I can’t wait to meet our next batch of undercover geniuses… and try to keep up!”
Susie Dent said: “I’m delighted that Alan and I will have a new chance to discover people who have as yet no idea just how special they are. The first series of Secret Genius proved genuinely life-changing for some of our participants, and it was a privilege to see their new-found confidence. I’m already excited at the prospect of witnessing some more incredible minds!”
Madonna Benjamin, Senior Commissioning Editor, Documentaries and Factual Entertainment at Channel 4, said: “Secret Genius and the wonderful Alan and Susie struck a real chord with the audience by celebrating intelligence in all its forms and turning it into a joyful, shared experience. We’re delighted to be bringing it back with a bigger, bolder new series, helping even more people from across the country to unlock their hidden genius.”
Kelly Webb-Lamb, Founder and CEO of Mothership said “As a resolute non-genius, I am so looking forward to getting to watch a new tranche of incredible brains play even more brilliant mind-games in the second series of Secret Genius. It’s been a blast making this show with the Channel 4 gang, and we feel very lucky to be doing it again.”
Since airing Secret Genius has sparked significant interest across the UK. Mensa has reported a rise in enquiries about membership following broadcast and huge numbers have already applied to take part in the second series. Casting is still open so if you or someone you know is a potential Secret Genius, apply today here: Www.geniuscasting.co.uk
Secret Genius is co-produced by Mothership and WPP Media Motion Entertainment. It is Executive Produced by Kelly Webb-Lamb and Jon Cahn for Mothership and Melanie Darlaston for Motion Entertainment. It is commissioned out of Alisa Pomeroy’s Documentaries and Factual Entertainment department by Channel 4 Senior Commissioning Editor Madonna Benjamin and Head of Reality and Entertainment Steve Handley.
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