The Piano Season 3: Jon Batiste Joins as Judge, Heathrow Terminal 5 Among Fresh Filming Spots

Fresh Faces and Famous Places: Season 3 Reinvents The Piano

Channel 4 isn’t playing it safe with Season 3 of The Piano. After two popular runs packed with moving moments and jaw-dropping performances, this reality competition is shaking up its judging panel and switching up its filming locations. The biggest headline this year? Star pianist Lang Lang will be stepping away from his judge’s seat after the awaited 2024 Christmas special.

Lang Lang’s departure isn’t without reason. Juggling a globe-trotting concert calendar and international engagements, he simply couldn't squeeze in another season. For many viewers, his expert comments and infectious enthusiasm were a huge part of the show's charm. But the producers have scored a winner for his replacement: Jon Batiste. If the name rings a bell, you might know him from his Oscar and Grammy wins for his work on Pixar’s movie Soul or as the vibrant bandleader from Stephen Colbert’s late-night show. Batiste brings serious musical chops and a lively personality to the mix.

Batiste has already won over host Claudia Winkleman, who called him a joy to be around. She’s not overselling it—Batiste’s known for his infectious positivity and for breaking down the barriers between styles, backgrounds, and audiences. He’ll be joining Mika, who’s judging for a third time. Mika hinted there are big changes this year when it comes to the mix of contestants as well. One thing that won’t change: the show’s mix of tear-jerking personal stories and open-to-all performances in very public places.

New Audiences in New Spaces: Airports Join the Journey

Season 3 is going bolder with its stage choices. Sure, it’s sticking with some iconic rail stations—London Liverpool Street, Brighton, Sheffield, and Newcastle Central—but, for the first time, the show is setting up a grand piano in an airport. Imagine stepping off a plane at Heathrow Terminal 5 and catching a world-class show, right in the arrival hall. It’s a move that’ll turn the spotlight on travelers as well as musicians, opening the door to new stories and even more unexpected performers.

The format stays familiar. The show turns seven ordinary public spaces into pop-up concert halls, drawing out the dreams and stories behind the players—everyone from nervous first-timers to music lovers who use the piano to unwind after work. These personal journeys are what keep fans tuning in—the tears, the surprise, the audience’s reaction as someone takes a leap from anonymous commuter to local star.

This season kicks off with a special Christmas episode, the last hurrah for Lang Lang alongside Mika and Winkleman. After that, Batiste steps up for the main seven-episode run in early 2025. As the talent gets more diverse, the music grows even more unpredictable. If the past two seasons are anything to go by, there will be standing ovations, shocked train travelers, and plenty of moments that stick with viewers long after the credits roll.