Taskmaster star Stevie Martin: 'We all need to fight apathy'

It could be easy to confuse Stevie Martin, the comedian who appeared on Taskmaster this year, with Steve Martin, the Only Murders in the Building and Cheaper by the Dozen actor.

Luckily, there is a method: Stevie Martin, the comedian, appeared on TV wearing a t-shirt of the actor, Steve Martin. As far as we’re aware, the reverse situation has not happened. Yet.

This year has been a big one for Martin (Stevie, the comedian). After a standout appearance on Taskmaster – which included her walking on her hands like a fish during the Cambrian explosion – Martin sold out the first leg of her tour, which has been extended into 2026.

Here, she runs us through 2025 in all its silliness.

What was your standout moment of 2025? 

When I did my first live show of the year after Taskmaster aired. Audiences were immediately more on board with my particular brand of stupidity, and wanted to say hi afterwards, which was lovely.

What do you know about yourself now that you didn’t this time last year?

There was a baby seagull unable to fly on our road and after standing guard for ages against these foxes who were circling, and waving at cars so they didn’t hit it, I picked it up in a jumper and put it on our roof. I guess I never knew I’d be brave enough to handle a gull until this year.

What do you think the world got right in 2025?  

Casting Celia Imrie and Alan Carr in Celebrity Traitors. Other than that, I’m struggling to think of anything solid. Mamdani getting elected! That was nice. 

Did you see Oasis?

I’m sort of Oasis ambivalent. I appreciate their relevance and talent, but I don’t think I’ve ever intentionally listened to them – other than, weirdly, “The Importance of Being Idle”. I like that song. 

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Would you rather be a Traitor or a Faithful?

A Traitor because I’d want to see whether I’d surprise myself and actually be good. I want to know if I can handle that amount of pressure, lying all day every day to people.

Where were you when you found out Taylor Swift was engaged?

Oh no! I’m also Taylor Swift ambivalent! Surprising, I know, as a white woman. I think I must have been on a train because I have spent the entire year on trains. I’m on a train now, answering these questions. All I know is train.

Do you think your job is at risk from AI?

I think if AI starts writing scripts and doing stand-up and acting then we’ve lost the plot as a society. Voiceover-wise I’ve already, I think, lost the smaller jobs to robot voices. 

What would your browsing history say about you this year?

The last things I googled are: “vets emergency ambulance” to check if my local vet has one in case something happens to my dog, “symptoms of pork tapeworm” (I’m vegan, I’ve never eaten pork in my life) and “best food for pregnant women” (was meeting my pregnant friend and wanted to buy her some delicacies). So I guess that I’m a generous person who buys delicacies, love my dog, and need to get a grip RE: pork-based maladies.

Are you more or less hopeful at the start of 2026 than at the start of 2025?

I’m the same. Hopeful that great people will continue to do great stuff, and terrible people will continue to make me want to scream. Onwards!

What are you looking forward to in 2026?

I’m going to the Lake District with my parents in February and we haven’t gone away together for a while, so that’ll be lovely. Have also booked a writing retreat with my dog which means I’ll get no work done and she’ll end up writing a book. 

What’s your big idea to make 2026 better than 2025?

We all need to fight apathy! I feel like a lot of people just accept how crap everything has got, and believe marching or protesting doesn’t do anything. But it does! I am going to try and get along to more marches and protests and stand up a bit more vocally for what I believe in. 

What’s your Big Issue for 2026?

It’s got to be climate change hasn’t it. Or if you want a non-depressing answer: getting Celia Imrie back on the next series of Celebrity Traitors. Give her another go for god’s sake!  

Stevie Martin has extended her critically acclaimed and sold-out debut UK tour, Clout, by over 20 dates into Spring 2026, including two additional London shows at Bloomsbury Theatre on Thursday 16 and Saturday 25 April.

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