The chocolate river is flowing, the Oompa-Loompas are back, and 12 Golden Ticket winners are heading into Wonka’s factory for more than just a tour on Netflix’s “Wonka’s the Golden Ticket.” The new reality series follows real-life Golden Ticket winners and a partner of their choosing as they face games, temptations, and surprises that test more than speed or quick thinking. Only one contestant will reach the end and win Wonka’s $3 million prize. Want to learn more? Consider this your go-to resource for everything contestants need to know about the upcoming series and other reality TV casting opportunities.
Netflix’s “Wonka’s the Golden Ticket” premieres Sept. 23, with a two-part finale on Sept. 30.
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Winning a Golden Ticket gets you through the gate. What happens next depends entirely on Wonka.
Twelve ticket holders and their partners compete inside a 40,000-square-foot chocolate factory, facing challenges that test both their judgment and physical skills. The competition forces them to adapt, strategize, and handle whatever Wonka’s unpredictable world throws at them.
Inside the factory, contestants will encounter a chocolate river, lickable wallpaper, and a reimagined Wonkavision. Wonkavision 2.0 games include “Wheel of Misfortune,” “Bubble Jeopardy,” and “Steal or No Steal.”
Howie Mandel (“Deal or No Deal,” “America’s Got Talent”), Nick Cannon (“The Masked Singer,” “America’s Got Talent”), and Wayne Brady (“Let’s Make a Deal,” “Don’t Forget the Lyrics!”) appear as holograms to host the games.
Rusty Goffe, who played an Oompa-Loompa in the original film, returns to the factory over 50 years later, now joined by his son, Ben Goffe.
Showrunners Alison Holloway and Emer Harkin were looking for authenticity when finding the show’s contestants. “We were also looking really closely at the significant other they bring into the factory. Every one had to be a strong and compelling character,” Holloway explained.
The 12 Golden Ticket holders and their partners are:
- Marcy, 63, retired, and JoAnne, 60, homemaker
- Shawn, 64, special education teacher, and Garrison, 30, partner marketing manager
- Ray, 79, retired, and Jackson, 25, bartender
- Bill, 63, retired, and Kayla, 34, consultant
- Tatum, 27, fashion consultant and social media manager, and Kellye, 61, professional singer, actor, and musician
- Everett, 36, travel advisor and marketing director, and James, 38, human resources manager
- Bryce, 22, roofer, and Taylor, 23, phlebotomist
- Nick, 37, DJ, and Jason, 49, DJ and event company owner
- Gabrielle, 22, DJ and choreographer, and Sasha, 24, entrepreneur
- Ziad, 32, fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle coach, and Austin, 29, content creator
- Ava, 25, creative producer, and Jeffrey, 69, business owner
- Moon, 29, a singer, and Hunter, 31, a general contractor
The Oompa-Loompa cast includes:
- Rusty Goffe
- Ben Goffe
- Mitchell Marion
- Tiffany Sarich
- Beccy Benjamin
- Ash Hodgkinson
- Dane Noonan
- Daniel Stone
- Alivia McCarthy
Credit: James Gourley/Netflix
Robyn Kass served as the casting director for Season 1 of "Wonka’s the Golden Ticket." A veteran of reality TV casting, Kass' credits include some of the biggest competition series, including “Squid Game: The Challenge,” “Fear Factor: House of Fear,” “Million Dollar Secret,” “Big Brother,” and “Survivor.”
Looking to improve your reality TV audition skills? Start here:
- What Top Reality Show Casting Directors Really Look For
- A CD on What to Know About Getting Cast on a Reality Competition Show
- How to Get on Reality TV
Season 2 of Netflix’s “Wonka’s the Golden Ticket” hasn’t been announced just yet. But for those hoping to catch their big break on reality TV, here are other casting opportunities to consider:
Looking for even more opportunities? Explore these directories, which are updated regularly:
And here are audition tips to boost your chances of landing a spot on reality TV: