Big Brother is making a comeback on British television this Sunday after a five-year hiatus, with producers promising a more diverse cast and a return to the show's social experiment roots. The new series, airing on ITV2, will feature 16 housemates selected from 30,000 applicants who reflect societal changes since the show was axed by Channel 5 in 2018.
Casting executive Jay Khagram said the team was mindful of shifts in society, including the pandemic, social media, and political climate. “Gender identity terms like ‘non-binary’ and ‘gender fluid’ were nonexistent in society previously,” he noted, adding that phrases like “Black Lives Matter” and “Me Too” have also become part of public discourse. The final line-up includes housemates who are “completely fresh and unique,” with ages ranging from 18 to over 50.
Executive producer Natalka Znak said she sought people with “different accents” and “ordinary jobs” to ensure a variety of backgrounds. The show aims to spark debates on modern issues, with Znak stating, “You do want the national things that people are talking about… different generations approach things differently.” Housemates and production staff have undergone inclusion and diversity training to address potential misunderstandings.
Other changes include a more “aspirational” and colourful house, a “playful” Big Brother character, and the return of 24-hour live streaming. Producers also consulted with teams from 33 global versions of the show, including Portugal’s couples edition and Australia’s love-focused series, before deciding to stick with the social experiment format favoured in northern Europe.
Lucas Green, chief content officer at Banijay, which owns the format, highlighted the show’s potential to promote tolerance. He cited examples such as Wendy, the first transgender winner of a reality show in Mexico, and an Israeli housemate whose openness helped bridge divides. “We’re proud that Big Brother has changed lives and what society is prepared to accept,” Green said.
