'The Great British Baking Show' 2022: What We Know

Another stressful year has passed, but it's time for the ultimate comfort television to return. The Great British Baking Show (or Bake Off, as it's called in the U.K.) is one of the best parts of fall—a true feel-good reality show that makes us fall in love with cheerful contestants and truly unwind after a high-pressure day. The first episode premiered on Netflix last Friday, introducing fans to the brand-new cast of bakers and returning to a familiar setting. Here's everything we know about the new season.

When will 'The Great British Baking Show' air in 2022?

Netflix confirmed that the The Great British Baking Show will be released weekly on Fridays starting September 16, following the U.K. premiere that Tuesday. This schedule is the same as the 2021 edition of Baking Show, so U.S. fans will once again need to avoid social media spoilers for the three days in between the country's different air dates each week.

Who will host 'The Great British Baking Show'?

Our four intrepid judges and hosts are all returning for a new season. Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood will judge each week's three rounds of bakes: the dazzling signature, the surprising technical, and the intricate showstopper. Meanwhile, Noah Fielding and Matt Lucas will continue to host and amuse (or distract) the bakers throughout each show.

Who's in the cast of 'The Great British Baking Show'?

This year sees a dozen amateur bakers enter the tent, with Channel 4 introducing the bakers in a sweet group photo (above). Among the contestants are an internet-obsessed teaching assistant, the host of a composting radio show, an 18-year-old who's been baking since she was 13, and a 45-year-old who's been baking since he was two! As always, the show has found a fun bunch.

Where was 'The Great British Baking Show' filmed?

After moving production to a COVID-safe bubble for the 2020 and 2021 competitions, filming has returned to the Welford Park country house and estate in the county of Berkshire. The property was the show's main location from 2014-2019, before they moved to Down Hall Hotel Spa and Estate in Essex last year. This year's bakers reportedly did not have to stay in a bubble for filming, with production adding protocols "to keep everyone safe".

Who won 'The Great British Baking Show' last year?

Italian baker Giuseppe Dell'Anno took home the cake-plate trophy, having gone up against Crystelle Pereira and Chigs Parmar in the first-ever final where all three bakers had previously earned two Hollywood Handshakes and been Star Baker twice. Other standout contestants included Freya, the young psychology student who made plant-based bakes, and stellar German baker Jürgen.

What else can we expect?

In addition to the main show, Netflix also hosts the Baking Show franchise's spinoffs. Per What's on Netflix, two new episodes of The Great British Baking Show: Holidays will land on the streamer on November 18 (both episodes originally aired in the U.K. in late 2021). Netflix has also brought the franchise's Junior Baking Show stateside; it was released earlier this month, featuring contestants aged 9-15.