Mike Smith
The long-running quiz show Only Connect returns for its 21st series. With its trademark blend of brain-teasing connections, clever team names, and dry wit, this new season promises another round of fiercely competitive intellectual combat, led once again by the ever-witty Victoria Coren Mitchell.
If you’re wondering when it starts, how to watch it, or what to expect this year, this detailed guide has you covered.
How to watch Only Connect Season 21 outside the UK on BBC iPlayer
To watch Only Connect Season 21 outside the UK, use a reliable VPN and connect to a UK server. Then visit the BBC iPlayer website, which is the BBC’s free on-demand streaming service, and sign in with a valid BBC account. Once connected, you can stream all available episodes online.
- Subscribe to NordVPN
- Install the VPN app on your device.
- Connect to a UK-based server.
- Open BBC iPlayer website or launch its app, then login or sign up for a new account.
- Watch Only Connect 2025 series 21 from anywhere
Only Connect 2025 – Series 21 Synopsis
Only Connect is not your average quiz show. Instead of straightforward trivia, contestants are challenged to make connections between seemingly unrelated clues, find sequences, untangle word puzzles, and decode cryptic logic grids. It’s a test of lateral thinking, teamwork, and cultural depth where knowledge alone isn’t enough.
Series 21 continues the legacy with 28 brand new episodes featuring quirky, passionate teams facing off in four unique rounds: Connections, Sequences, Connecting Wall, and Missing Vowels.
When Does Only Connect Series 21 Premiere
Only Connect Series 21 premieres on Monday, 21 July, 2025, at 8:00 PM on BBC Two. The season launches with a brand-new episode featuring the Whitley Baes versus the Caraxians, marking the start of another 28-episode run.
Premiere Date: Monday 21 July 2025
Time: 8:00 PM UK Time
Channel: BBC Two
Episodes: 28
New episodes air weekly on Monday evenings.
Where to Watch Only Connect Series 21
You can watch Only Connect Series 21 live on BBC Two every Monday at 8:00 PM. Full episodes are also available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer with a valid UK TV license. Simply sign in to your BBC account to watch episodes on-demand after they air.
- Live on BBC Two
- Online via BBC iPlayer
Who Is Hosting Only Connect Series 21
The series continues to be hosted by Victoria Coren Mitchell, known for her sharp wit, dry humour, and no-nonsense delivery. She has been the face of the show since its debut in 2008 and is beloved for her playful sarcasm and intellectual poise.
Only Connect 2025 Cast – Who’s Competing
The show features two teams of three players per episode, often with creative names referencing pop culture, academia, or hobbies.
Teams in Episode 1
Whitley Baes – A husband-wife-friend trio
Caraxians – Three fans of director Leos Carax
Episode 2 Teams
Oh No They Didn’t – Lovers of Pantomime and Alan Partridge
Pear Trees – Quirky logic enthusiasts
Only Connect Season 21 – Episode Guide
There are 28 episodes in Only Connect Season 21, and here is a list of episodes.
Episode 1 – Whitley Baes v Caraxians
Premiere: 21 July, 2025
Runtime: 28 minutes
Highlights: Connecting clues like President Carter, Actor Jones, and Assassin Ray
Episode 2 – Oh No They Didn’t v Pear Trees
Premiere: 28 July, 2025
Runtime: 28 minutes
Highlights: Clues include Inner Mongolia, New Mexico, South Holland, and East Azerbaija
Can You Watch Only Connect Series 21 Online for Free
Yes, you can watch Only Connect Series 21 online for free in the UK using BBC iPlayer once episodes have aired. You do need a valid UK TV licence and a BBC account to access the content.
Is Only Connect Suitable for All Ages
Yes. While the content is intellectually challenging, there is no inappropriate material, making it suitable for teenagers, adults, and family viewing. Younger kids might find it difficult, but there’s no age restriction.
Where Can I Download Only Connect Series 21 Full Episodes
Full episodes of Only Connect Series 21 are available to download on:
- BBC iPlayer app for offline viewing
FAQs
How many episodes are in Series 21
There are 28 episodes in total, airing weekly from July 21 2025 to early 2026.
Where is Only Connect filmed
It is filmed at Enfys Studios in Cardiff, Wales.
What makes Only Connect different from other quiz shows
Unlike most shows that rely on trivia, Only Connect focuses on making connections, completing sequences, sorting categories in a logic grid, and solving puzzles with missing vowels. It’s less about memorization and more about reasoning and pattern recognition.
Can I play Only Connect online
The BBC used to offer interactive Connecting Walls, but those games have been discontinued. However, many fan-made puzzles are available on quiz forums.
Who creates the puzzles for Only Connect
The puzzles are written by a team of expert quiz setters and editors, some of whom have even competed on the show in the past.
Only Connect Series 21 Preview
You can take a look at this:
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