EXCLUSIVE: Don’t Get Catfished, Channel 4‘s latest digital dating series, has landed a second season ahead of Season 1’s launch today.
The move is unusual for a show ordered for Channel 4.0, UK network Channel 4’s youth-skewing online channel.
The Bakers Dozen Studios and After Party Studios series premieres on the Channel 4.0 YouTube channel later today.
In each episode, one well-known creator goes on blind dates with five potential matches. However, two of their fellow stars are pulling a prank on their pal, using voice scrambling tech to disguise and persuade their friend they’re the perfect match. Amongst the dividers, the three other contestants are real singles hoping to flirt their way into the creator’s heart.
Season 1 kicks off with YouTuber Deji, who is looking for someone who understands the life of a content creator, but Fran (really Harry Pinero) and Abby (actually Darkest Man) have other ideas. Others set to feature in Season 1 include Nella Rose, Konan, Zeze Millz, Romell Henry and Scousemali.
“This is a hilarious and instantly moreish social experiment with all the familiar appeal of a dating format that really reflects the approach we’re taking with Channel 4.0 to cut through all the noise on YouTube,” said Evie Buckley, Digital Commissioning Editor at Channel 4 and Channel 4.0 Lead. “We know Don’t Get Catfished will quickly captivate our audience, so we wanted to ensure we quickly follow up on the first series with more chaos next year.”
Marvyn Benoit, co-founder of Bakers Dozen Studios said: “For Channel 4.0 to recommission Don’t Get Catfished on the day season one lands is the biggest compliment we and the team at After Party Studios could receive. It underlines exactly what we set out to achieve with this format – taking risks, embracing innovation and creating content that excites both creators and audiences all whilst championing diverse talent.”
Jamie McDonald, Head of Originals at After Party Studios, added: “Don’t Get Catfished is the kind of bold, mischievous and digitally native content After Party Studios loves to make. Teaming up with Bakers Dozen has been a creative collaboration and we’re thrilled to keep the partnership rolling to deliver even more catfishing chaos to Channel 4.0’s army of viewers in season two.”
Don’t Get Catfished season will run to six 20-minute episodes. It was commissioned for C4.0 by Buckley, along with Catorina White, Digital Commissioning Executive, and Sacha Khari, Head of Digital Commissioning.
Executive producers are Marvyn Benoit, who had the initial idea for the show in 2023, and MacDonald and Sam Ewen from After Party. It is series produced by Trent William-Jones. New episodes of Season 1 are dropping every Thursday on Channel 4.0.