In exciting news for reality TV fans, it’s been revealed Big Brother is set for a reboot.
According to TV Blackbox, the series will return in 2020, with Endemol Shine Australia producing the show and casting to begin soon.
The online publication further revealed that Channel Seven is picking up the series after axing its current affairs program Sunday Night, with the network reportedly using the budget for production and the timeslot for Sunday night eviction shows.
While no host has yet been announced, original host Gretel Kileen is rumoured to be in the running.
Big Brother first burst on to the airwaves in 2001, when reality television was not yet a dominate genre and its breakout stars included Sara-Marie Fedele and Blair McDonough.
It was originally hosted by Gretel before Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson took over in later seasons. When Big Brother was rebooted on Channel Nine, Sonia Kruger was at the helm.
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Big Brother’s Gretel Killen with contestant Bree Amer.
(Image: Network Ten)Appearing on KIIS FM’s Kyle & Jackie O show earlier this week, Gretel Kileen weighed in on speculation Big Brother was due to return.
“I think the essence of Big Brother is brilliant because when we first started that show it was about just watching humans interact without interference, just seeing what humans do. It wasn’t ‘Who’s going to win?’ It was: Let’s just see what relationships form and how people pass their time and converse,” she said.
“I think watching ourselves is something we could actually learn from now. I think this is a time of analysis and introspection and redefining our values, so I think it would be a hoot.”
However, she added that a lot has changed since the show’s first season in 2001.
“Reality TV can attract a different kind of person now who wants to be famous, so perhaps that level of purity, maybe the time has passed. But maybe that’s a matter of casting,” she said.
Gretel with Big Brother’s 2003 winner, Reggie Bird.
(Image: Network Ten)