Gladiators has quite the history. Launched on ITV in the halcyon days of 1992 for an eight-series run featuring the likes of Wolf, Jet, and Blaze, it was briefly revived by Sky in 2008 before finding new life with the BBC in 2024. Hosted by father-and-son team Bradley and Barney Walsh, it became the biggest launch for a new entertainment series in seven years.
In January, a third series was announced before the second even ended. Casting is now open for a projected January 2026 premiere. Want to test your mettle on TV screens across the country (and perhaps, like Eunice “Blaze” Huthart, transition from Contender to Gladiator)? Here’s your go-to roadmap to making it happen.
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Power. Tenacity. Giant metal hamster balls. This show is where guest Contenders test their strength and agility against resident Gladiators through a series of physical challenges in a bid to reach the final one-on-one Eliminator course. That could mean defying five power-pad wielding Gladiators during Gauntlet or evading pursuit swinging between rings on Hang Tough. Male and female Contenders compete through heats, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a grand final to cover themselves in glory and clinch truly unsurpassable bragging rights.
James Ellender (Take Off With Bradley & Holly, The Wheel) is the series casting producer for Gladiators. Georgia May (The Circle), Lindsay Hinton (The Three Day Nanny), and Rebecca Campbell (The Hit List) also serve as casting producers. Together, the Gladiators casting team is “on the lookout for the bravest members of the British public who have the speed and skill to take on [the show’s] superhuman Gladiators.”
Whether you’re eager to compete or looking for your first TV spot, these guides can help you on your journey:
Gladiators needs new Contenders each series to the tune of 10 men and 10 women. Think you’ve got the right stuff to join the nearly 100,000 wannabe Contenders who’ve tried out since 1992? You can fill out an online application through the BBC website. Previous series have been cast in the first half of the year for release at the start of the next year. Plenty of time to hit the gym.
You can also check directly through these casting directory pages:
Our guides to succeeding in reality TV should provide a leg up on the competition:
- Come on Down!: 5 Steps to Getting on a Game Show
- What Top Reality Show Casting Directors Really Look For