Series synopsis
The Piano is a British reality documentary family television series that premiered on Channel 4 on February 15, 2023. It was created by Richard McKerrow. It stars Claudia Winkleman, Lang Lang, MIKA and Jon Batiste.
A tranquil tale about two boys from very different upbringings. On one hand you have Kai, born as the son of a prostitute, who's been playing the abandoned piano in the forest near his home ever since he was young. And on the other you have Syuhei, practically breast-fed by the piano as the son of a family of prestigious pianists. Yet it is their common bond with the piano that eventually intertwines their paths in life.
Premise
A tranquil tale about two boys from very different upbringings. On one hand you have Kai, born as the son of a prostitute, who's been playing the abandoned piano in the forest near his home ever since he was young. And on the other you have Syuhei, practically breast-fed by the piano as the son of a family of prestigious pianists. Yet it is their common bond with the piano that eventually intertwines their paths in life.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Claudia Winkleman as Self - Presenter
- Lang Lang as Self - Judge
- MIKA as Self - Judge
- Jon Batiste as Self - Judge
Guest cast
- Tiffany Poon as Self - Judge/Pianist
Episodes
This series spans 5 seasons with 29 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 2 | December 25, 2023 | December 25, 2024 |
| Season 1 | 6 | February 15, 2023 | March 15, 2023 |
| Season 2 | 7 | April 28, 2024 | June 9, 2024 |
| Season 3 | 7 | April 13, 2025 | May 25, 2025 |
| Season 4 | 7 | July 12, 2026 | August 23, 2026 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Christmas 2023 Claudia, Mika and Lang Lang are back with a festive songbook, secret Santa, some celebrity surprises, and a unmissable finale for the holiday crowds at London's King's Cross Station. |
December 25, 2023 |
| 2 |
Christmas 2024 Claudia, Mika and Lang Lang host some festive, show-stopping performances featuring old and new friends at London's Battersea Power Station. |
December 25, 2024 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
St. Pancras. The search begins as passionate amateurs play the public piano at a busy London station |
February 15, 2023 |
| 2 |
Leeds In Leeds, as the search continues, a unique performance stops the station in its tracks |
February 22, 2023 |
| 3 |
Glasgow An 86-year-old, a boogie woogie biker and an Elton John-playing viruoso each hit the keys |
March 1, 2023 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Manchester The search begins with a classically trained boxer, a dance DJ and an 80-year-old romantic |
April 28, 2024 |
| 2 |
Cardiff In Wales - the land of song - the search continues with triplets and a song about conkers |
May 5, 2024 |
| 3 |
Edinburgh The team are blown away by a boy in a bow tie and charmed by a piano-playing postie |
May 12, 2024 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
London Liverpool Street The search for the UK's most exciting amateur pianists starts at London's Liverpool Street Station with an encounter with a dinner lady, some star power and a tarot reader. |
April 13, 2025 |
| 2 |
Brighton It's off to the seaside, as Claudia, Mika and Jon Batiste's continuing search for more amazing amateur pianists takes in some boogie-woogie and a song about a tapeworm. |
April 20, 2025 |
| 3 |
Sheffield On the hottest day of the year, Claudia, Mika and Jon encounter a professional footballer with the sweetest voice, an unexpected trumpet, and a piece inspired by a fish. |
April 27, 2025 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Birmingham Their first stop is Birmingham New Street station, where American classical pianist Tiffany Poon joins Mika in the observation room as performers including the youngest and oldest pianists ever to appear on the show, and a composer inspired by the Grand Canyon, take their turns at the keyboard. |
July 12, 2026 |
| 2 | Episode 2 | July 19, 2026 |
| 3 | Episode 3 | July 26, 2026 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Channel 4 |
|---|---|
| First aired | February 15, 2023 |
| Last aired | May 25, 2025 |
| Runtime | 24 minutes |
| Status | continue |
| Schedule | Sunday at 21:00:00 |