ITV unveils “Fresh Cuts 2025” line-up, backed by £80M diversity commissioning spend

ITV has revealed the six commissions forming part of the 2025 “Fresh Cuts” series, premiering on ITVX and YouTube later this year as part of ITV’s £80m Diversity Commissioning Spend. Produced by leading creative voices including acclaimed DJ Ras Kwame, TV Collective Breakthrough leader Sebastian Whyte, BAFTA and Grierson Award-winning Creative Director Jess Mitchell, and “The Assembly” director Céin McGillicuddy, the line-up also features the first-ever “Fresh Cuts” sketch show, “Say! Less!” from Kevin Muyolo at Daddy’s Super Yacht, and the trainer restoration format “The Re-Store” from Tamara Barton-Campbell’s Renaissance Studios.

The programmes have been commissioned by Richard Botchway, Commissioning Editor at ITV, who oversees the series alongside Nahrein Kemp, DEI & Talent Lead, for Sue Murphy’s Factual Entertainment team.

Richard Botchway said: “We are incredibly excited and immensely proud of the 2025 ‘Fresh Cuts’ commissions. This stellar lineup showcases outstanding talent and brings fresh, diverse voices to our screens, truly reflecting the vibrant creativity within the UK.” Nahrein Kemp added: “Each programme showcases the outstanding talent we have in our industry and we can’t wait to bring their fresh, diverse and vibrant voices to ITVX and our ITV YouTube channel.”

The 22-minute original programmes will premiere on ITVX and ITV’s YouTube channels across Black History Month and Disability History Month later this year.

“In Convo” from RK the DJ Productions, fronted by Ras Kwame, offers intimate, unfiltered conversations in a stylised setting inspired by LeBron James’s “The Shop.”

“Black Britain – A Tale of Two Cultures” (W/T) from Whispering Rebel explores the cultural and social ties between the UK’s Black African and Caribbean communities, directed by Sebastian Whyte.

“Say! Less!” from Daddy’s Super Yacht is a sharp, fast-paced sketch show led by rising Black comedy talent, blending viral parody with bold, unapologetic humour.

“The Re-Store” from Renaissance Studios combines sneaker restoration with personal stories, culture, celebrity moments and history, hosted by Jordan Taylor.

“Play Time” from Céin McGillicuddy and Andy Kinnear challenges neurodiverse performers to stage a play in a single day, based entirely on ideas from a class of primary school children.

“The Blind Matchmakers” from Different Productions flips dating conventions by letting blind experts guide single influencers towards deeper connections, hosted by Lucy Edwards.