ITV has unveiled a major new spin-off for its flagship reality franchise, announcing I’m A Celebrity…The Wild Frontier — a fresh format that relocates the action from the Australian jungle to the Canadian wilderness and introduces a paired contestant dynamic.
New Location, New Rules
The series moves production from the hot, humid jungles of Australia — home to the show since its inception, save for the 2020–2021 pandemic shift to Wales — to the “far north” of Canada. Co-hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly confirmed the original Australian series will continue alongside this new iteration.
Beyond the location change, the core gameplay shifts from solo competition to duos. According to a press release, “the pairs will eat, compete and be eliminated together as one.” Viewers will vote to evict pairs rather than individuals, maintaining the public vote mechanism central to the format.
The release added: “Viewers will see the pairings undertake gruelling trials in the beautiful and unknown Canadian landscape and take on action-packed challenges to win food, all aiming to become the last pair standing.”
Hosts Promise Twists and Familiar DNA
Ant McPartlin described the new series as “I’m A Celebrity… like you’ve never seen before. It’s a brand new format with lots of twists and surprises.”
Dec Donnelly emphasized continuity with the beloved original: “We’re also making sure to retain some of the elements that we know viewers love from the Australian series. Buckle up, it’s going to be brilliant.”
How the Pairings Work
Each duo requires only one celebrity; the other half can be a relative, friend, partner, or another celebrity. This structure aims to deepen emotional stakes and interpersonal dynamics within the competition.
ITV and Production Leaders Weigh In
Katie Rawcliffe, Director of Entertainment, Reality & Daytime at ITV, framed the launch as a strategic expansion: “I’m A Celebrity…The Wild Frontier is a brand new series from the award-winning I’m A Celebrity… team. The format takes duos to the most spectacular locations in Canada.
“The duos enter as a pair, play as a pair and leave as a pair. With all the brilliant DNA of I’m A Celebrity…, brand new gameplay and the dynamics of living and playing with your spouse, best mate or sibling, it promises to be a treat for audiences in 2027.”
Creative Vision for the Canadian Setting
Chantal Boyle, Creative Director at Lifted Entertainment — the production company behind the series — highlighted the global scale of the franchise: “I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! is one of TV’s biggest global formats and the Australian series holds a special place with its incredibly loyal UK fans.
“I’m A Celebrity…The Wild Frontier is a brand new show from the world of I’m A Celebrity and it promises to be dramatic, exciting and truly embrace its spectacular Canadian setting.”
Launch Timeline
The new series is scheduled to premiere in 2027.
