Portrait Artist of the Year

Portrait Artist of the Year

Artists from the UK and Ireland compete by creating portraits of famous people.

Genre: Documentary

Cast:Kathleen SorianoTai Shan SchierenbergKate BryanJoan BakewellStephen ManganFrank SkinnerNcuti GatwaDavid Gandy


1Season 8

Portrait Artist of the Year: 2021 (2021): Episode 1 - Gabrielle, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Grace Neutral

October 13, 2021

The contestants are challenged to paint singer Gabrielle, actor Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, and television presenter Grace Neutral. Joan Bakewell and Stephen Mangan present.

2Season 8

Portrait Artist of the Year: 2021 (2021): Episode 2 - Gyles Brandreth, Karen Gibson, Sophie Cookson

October 20, 2021

The contestants are challenged to paint actor and presenter Gyles Brandreth, conductor Karen Gibson, and actress Sophie Cookson. Joan Bakewell and Stephen Mangan present.

3Season 8

Portrait Artist of the Year: 2021 (2021): Episode 3 - Alexa Chung, Nish Kumar, Philip Glenister

October 27, 2021

The contestants are challenged to paint author Alexa Chung, comedian Nish Kumar, and actor Philip Glenister. Joan Bakewell and Stephen Mangan present.

4Season 8

Portrait Artist of the Year: 2021 (2021): Episode 4 - Celeste, Lydia West, Alastair Campbell

November 3, 2021

The contestants are challenged to paint singer-songwriter Celeste, actress Lydia West, and journalist Alastair Campbell. Joan Bakewell and Stephen Mangan present.

5Season 8

Portrait Artist of the Year: 2021 (2021): Episode 5 - Kelly Macdonald, Hugh Skinner, Polly Walker

November 10, 2021

The contestants are challenged to paint actress Kelly Macdonald, actor Hugh Skinner, and actress Polly Walker. Joan Bakewell and Stephen Mangan present.

6Season 8

Portrait Artist of the Year: 2021 (2021): Episode 6 - David Olusoga, Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Sergei Polunin

November 17, 2021

The contestants are challenged to paint historian David Olusoga, scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock, and ballet dancer Sergei Polunin. Joan Bakewell and Stephen Mangan present.

7Season 8

Portrait Artist of the Year: 2021 (2021): Episode 7 - Chris Packham, Arlene Phillips, Ali Jawad

November 24, 2021

The contestants are challenged to paint naturalist Chris Packham, choreographer Arlene Phillips, and powerlifter Ali Jawad. Joan Bakewell and Stephen Mangan present.

8Season 8

Portrait Artist of the Year: 2021 (2021): Episode 8 - Ian Hislop, Emma Dabiri, Daniel Mays

December 1, 2021

The contestants are challenged to paint journalist Ian Hislop, author Emma Dabiri, and actor Daniel Mays. Joan Bakewell and Stephen Mangan present.

9Season 8

Portrait Artist of the Year: 2021 (2021): Episode 9 - Semi-Final: Nick Mason

December 8, 2021

The contestants are challenged to paint Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason. Joan Bakewell and Stephen Mangan present.

10Season 8

Portrait Artist of the Year: 2021 (2021): Episode 10 - Final: Barry Humphries

December 15, 2021

In the final, the three remaining artists paint the Australian actor Barry Humphries. The winner is revealed.

11Season 8

Portrait Artist of the Year: 2021 (2021): Episode 11 - Nicola Benedetti

December 22, 2021

The winning artist creates a commissioned portrait of Violinist Nicola Benedetti.