The concept for the programme was first created by Horne for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2010; he later secured a deal with Dave to adapt it for television, with the first episode premiering in 2015.
The contestants for this series were Frank Skinner, Josh Widdicombe, Roisin Conaty, Romesh Ranganathan and Tim Key, with the series' overall winner being Widdicombe – both Skinner and Ranganathan tied as runner-ups, Key placed fourth, and Conaty finished in last place.
Danish comedian Sofie Hagen made a voice appearance after Ryan called her during a task attempt in episode 1.
Previous contestant Josh Widdicombe appeared in episode 3 to aid Osman and Richardson in a team task.
Broadcaster and writer Ben Fogle made a cameo appearance in episode 5 due to coincidentally being in the same location during filming of a task.
The contestants for this series were Hugh Dennis, Joe Lycett, Lolly Adefope, Mel Giedroyc and Noel Fielding, with the series' overall winner being Fielding – Lycett ended as the runner-up, Giedroyc placed 3rd, Dennis placed 4th, and Adefope finished last.
Previous contestant Romesh Ranganathan appeared as part of Thomas and Gibson's attempt at a task in episode 5.
The contestants for this series were David Baddiel, Ed Gamble, Jo Brand, Katy Wix and Rose Matafeo;[13] due to illness, Wix was unable to attend filming of the studio segments for the fifth and sixth episodes, leading to former contestants (and series champions) Kerry Godliman and Katherine Ryan each standing in for these periods respectively.
[15] The panellists were Daisy May Cooper, Johnny Vegas, Katherine Parkinson, Mawaan Rizwan and Richard Herring.
During its broadcast, the series averaged over 2.83 million viewers, an improvement on previous figures as a result of its move to a channel with a broader audience.
The special's contestants were John Hannah, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Nicola Coughlan, Rylan Clark and Shirley Ballas.
As Britain was still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and maintaining strict social distancing guidelines, filming was done in compliance with these, with virtual audiences allowed to watch complete footage and their laughter tracks recorded for the final edit of an episode before it is broadcast.
The line-up includes Alan Davies, Desiree Burch, Guz Khan, Morgana Robinson and Victoria Coren Mitchell.
On 3 December 2021, Avalon announced that Taskmaster would have a second "New Year Treat" special, featuring Adrian Chiles, Claudia Winkleman, Jonnie Peacock, Lady Leshurr and Sayeeda Warsi.
Due to illness, Peacock could not attend the studio recording, so series 12 contestant Alan Davies was present in his place.
Series 13 features Ardal O'Hanlon, Bridget Christie, Chris Ramsey, Judi Love and Sophie Duker.
Series 14 features Dara Ó Briain, Fern Brady, John Kearns, Munya Chawawa and Sarah Millican.
Remote filming was done at the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport during its closure due to reduced traffic caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 21 November 2022, it was revealed that the cast for the third New Year special would be Amelia Dimoldenberg, Carol Vorderman, Greg James, Mo Farah and Rebecca Lucy Taylor (Self Esteem).
Series 15 features Frankie Boyle, Ivo Graham, Jenny Eclair, Kiell Smith-Bynoe and Mae Martin.
Series 16 features Julian Clary, Lucy Beaumont, Sam Campbell, Sue Perkins and Susan Wokoma.
On 23 November 2023, following the broadcast of the series 16 finale, it was revealed that the cast for the fourth New Year special would be Deborah Meaden, Kojey Radical, Lenny Rush, Steve Backshall and Zoe Ball.
On 14 November 2024, following the broadcast of the series 18 finale, it was revealed that the cast for the fifth New Year special would be David James, Hannah Fry, Martin Lewis, Melanie Blatt and Sue Johnston.
[75] Sue Johnston was the overall winner, with Hannah Fry as the runner up, Martin Lewis in third, David James in fourth, and Melanie Blatt in last place.
[76] The cast for the show's nineteenth series was announced on 22 January 2025, featuring Fatiha El-Ghorri, Jason Mantzoukas, Mathew Baynton, Rosie Ramsey and Stevie Martin.
Junior Taskmaster is a spinoff series hosted by Rose Matafeo and Mike Wozniak featuring contestants aged between 9 and 11.
A press release prior to the first special's broadcast detailed that it would feature past contestants discussing previous task attempts, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the show;[78] this was not the case.
[82] The hosts chat stats and facts about the show, and are joined by guests, ranging from the biggest Taskmaster Superfans, to the production team and international contestants/TMs/TM assistants.