Before the Big Brother Australia housemates were selected, TV WEEK was given exclusive access to observe the casting process. When Channel 10 announced the show’s return with a fresh approach honoring the original format, excitement was high. The Big Brother house is once again on the Gold Coast, featuring live nominations, evictions, and a 24-hour livestream.
Executive Network Producer Sarah Thornton revealed that the series deliberately avoids casting influencers, unlike many modern reality shows. Instead, the team seeks contestants from diverse backgrounds, ages, and life experiences, reflecting the original seasons on Channel 10.
On a typical Tuesday afternoon in Sydney, I joined a casting session held in a plain hotel conference room. I sat behind a camera facing a panel of five executives, including Sarah Thornton. Prospective applicants entered one by one and answered various questions.
Some candidates were dismissed quickly due to short or vague answers—the shortest interview lasted just three minutes. Others engaged the panel with their energy, charm, humor, or charisma.
"I love how generous people are," said Sarah, acknowledging that while interviewing up to 60 applicants a day can be exhausting, the process is often “magical.”
The Big Brother Australia casting aims to find authentic and varied personalities, maintaining the spirit of the original show while adapting to today’s reality TV landscape.
The Big Brother Australia casting process seeks real, diverse personalities through demanding auditions, emphasizing authenticity over influencer appeal.