Amelia Dimoldenberg to End 'Chicken Shop Date' After 12-Year Run

Key points

• Amelia Dimoldenberg announced on September 3, 2026, that Chicken Shop Date will end after a final season.
• The series began in 2014 as a column for a London youth magazine and evolved into a major YouTube phenomenon.
• The show has accumulated approximately one billion views and 34 million hours watched, reaching 97% of countries.
• Dimoldenberg is transitioning to new projects, including a BBC young adult drama and a rom-com film with Orion Pictures.
• The final season is described as a celebration of the show's history, featuring a last lineup of eclectic guests.

Background

Chicken Shop Date launched in 2014 when Dimoldenberg was 17, initially as a print column for The Cut, a London youth magazine. The format, which involved interviewing guests in a fried chicken restaurant with a flirty and often awkward style, gained traction on YouTube. Over the years, the show expanded its guest list from niche UK musicians to global A-list celebrities, including Paul McCartney, Billie Eilish, and Andrew Garfield. The series became a significant player in digital media, influencing how traditional television and film marketing approached online content.

How outlets are covering it

Pitchfork and The Hollywood Reporter emphasize the personal and emotional closure of the series, highlighting Dimoldenberg's statement that the show was her 'romcom' and that she is moving on to new adventures. The Guardian offers a more critical perspective, noting that the show had begun to 'ossify' and become a standard stop for publicists, losing some of its original spontaneity. However, The Guardian also acknowledges the show's cultural impact, particularly its role in legitimizing YouTube as a platform that challenged traditional television. Deadline focuses on the business and career transition aspects, detailing Dimoldenberg's new projects and the show's massive reach metrics, such as 3.4 million subscribers and one billion views. All sources agree on the show's significance and the finality of the decision, but differ in their emphasis on the show's evolution and impact.

Why it matters

The end of Chicken Shop Date marks a significant moment in the evolution of digital media and celebrity interviews. The show's success demonstrated the power of YouTube to reach a global audience and influence traditional media formats. Dimoldenberg's transition to traditional television and film projects highlights the increasing crossover between digital creators and mainstream entertainment. The show's legacy includes memorable moments that went viral, such as Louis Theroux's rap and the chemistry with Andrew Garfield, which shaped public perception of celebrity interactions online.

What to watch

Dimoldenberg is currently developing a young adult drama series for the BBC, described as her version of Skins, and a romantic comedy film for Orion Pictures. The final season of Chicken Shop Date will feature a last lineup of eclectic guests, serving as a celebration of the show's 12-year run. Dimoldenberg has also been involved in red carpet interviews for major awards and was named to Time's 100 creators list, indicating her continued influence in the entertainment industry.