Next Week: Emma & Matt Willis Present ‘A Very British’ Love Is Blind

Next week, one of Netflix’s biggest reality franchises will finally come to the UK. Following the US, Brazil, Japan and Sweden, it’s finally time for Love Is Blind UK (and, just fyi, a Mexico version is coming this month, too). So who are the British singles participating in the infamous ‘experiment’? We’ve got all the details.

Love Is Blind UK: Cast, Release Schedule & More

Who Are The Hosts?

Taking the reins from US hosts and couple Nick and Vanessa Lachey are Emma and Matt Willis. Emma is a seasoned TV host with experience on Big Brother and The Voice UK, while musician husband Matt co-founded pop-rock band Busted back in the day.

‘I’m so excited to be presenting the UK version of Love Is Blind with Emma,’ says Matt. ‘We love the show! It’s been such a dream working together and fascinating to watch the process unfold. Experiencing this new project side by side has been really amazing, and I can’t wait for people to come on this journey with us.’

‘I love to play matchmaker with my friends and love LOVE, so I am so excited to be co-hosting the first ever UK version of Love Is Blind,’ adds Emma. ‘I’m intrigued to see people connect on a purely emotional and mental level right off the bat, without visuals playing a part. Plus – you’re getting double Willis! I’ve loved going to work with Matt, and we’re both obsessed with the show, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity.’

Watch their very British teaser trailer below.

What To Expect

If you’re not a fan of the US version, is it worth giving Love is Blind UK a try? Yes indeed, says Emma. ‘It’s just a very British version – it’s quite self-deprecating,’ she told the BBC. ‘There’s a lot of humour, a lot of banter. And you can tell that when they say [things in the pods], you feel like they really mean it, because you feel like they wouldn’t say if they didn’t.’ And that’s on British awkwardness.

And will it be full of wannabe influencers like certain other dating shows? ‘I think the cast is really good,’ Emma added. ‘And they have got people who genuinely want to meet their life partner and settle down.’

‘I think in the other TV shows maybe the dating aspect is secondary to being on telly, whereas this one feels like the telly is a vehicle for them to fall in love,’ adds Matt.

Well, let’s meet the singletons in question…

Love Is Blind UK: Meet The Cast

Aged between 27 and 38 years old, 30 eligible singles enter the pods at the start of the experiment, hoping to leave with a betrothed by the end. From a gym-loving funeral director to a woman suffering with self-diagnosed resting bitch face, here’s everyone we will meet in Love Is Blind UK.

Shirley

Age: 27

Occupation: Junior doctor

Location: London

As a former high school science teacher, Shirley knows all about chemistry, but she hasn’t nailed down the formula for her own dating life. Why? For starters, Shirley readily admits that she enjoys “winning the hearts of emotionally unavailable men.” But she wants to change her ways and settle down, as a recent med school graduate. But she won’t waste any time in the pods with guys who are unsure about starting a family — in fact, Shirley hopes to have children sooner rather than later.

Sharlotte

Age: 35

Occupation: Global communications director

Location: London

For her entire life, Sharlotte has done the twin thing with her beloved sister, who also happens to be her roommate. Now that her sister has moved out to live with her boyfriend, it’s never been more clear to Sharlotte that it’s time for her to do the same. But it’s been eight years since she’s been in a relationship and Sharlotte’s grown accustomed to the single life. She was briefly engaged to her ex, but they split after realizing they’d grown apart. Any guy who wants to get serious with Sharlotte needs to respect her hustle, since she has no plans of changing the course of her very successful career for men who are easily intimidated.

Sabrina

Age: 35

Occupation: Director of marketing and communications

Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland

Hyper-independent Sabrina has learned that it’s best to depend on herself as a single woman. But after doing a lot of work on herself, Sabrina’s heart and mind have never been more open heading into the experiment, where she hopes to go deep with men who’ve also sorted out their own issues. Hailing from Belfast, Sabrina is an avid traveler. Ideally, her perfect match will catch feelings in the pods, so they can spend the rest of their lives together catching flights as a couple.

Ria

Age: 34

Occupation: Commercial contracts manager

Location: London

While she loves being the designated “cool aunt” of the family, Ria is over showing up to events alone — and giving everyone updates on her non-existent love life. And while she might tell her friends and family that she’s not interested in finding a partner, it’s all an act to get them to stop asking about her romantic prospects. But now she has a fresh outlook on finding the one because she’s done playing the waiting game when it comes to love.

Priya

Age: 37

Occupation: Procurement manager

Location: Berkshire, England

Priya is looking to expand her horizons and dating pool by taking a chance at finding love in the pods. But if things aren’t feeling right, Priya won’t be afraid to change her mind. She was previously engaged for just 24 hours, but quickly ended things when she realized deep down they were on different paths. These days, she’s searching for a partner who respects her independence and appreciates her life passions: protecting animals and the environment. And, of course, bonus points if he gets along with her two fur babies.

Olivia

Age: 28

Occupation: Creative project director

Location: London

Olivia’s mom says her daughter only goes for “the potential guys” — and Olivia tends to agree. Now Olivia is on the hunt for a potential lifelong partner who “makes [her] better” as she enters the next stage of her life. Since moving back to the UK after uprooting her life for a stint in Los Angeles, Olivia has a whole new mindset about dating. For years, she’s put her career above everything else, but she’s finally ready to put finding love at the top of her to-do list. And since her last break up, Olivia’s put in serious work to get to know herself on a whole new level.

Nicole

Age: 29

Occupation: Head of brand and marketing

Location: Surrey, England

After her first marriage came to an end, Nicole is “ready to be vulnerable again and walk down the aisle.” Since then, she’s acquired an MBA and thrown herself into her career, so work has been a necessary distraction. Now Nicole is ready to enter into the next chapter of her journey. She’s open to all types of connections in the pods and is hoping to make her second shot at love last a lifetime.

Natasha

Age: 32

Occupation: Careers coordinator

Location: Cheshire, England

Natasha spends her spare time learning how to code — but she hasn’t cracked love and dating. Since her last relationship came to an end two and a half years ago, Natasha has undergone a transformation inside and out. She and her ex went their separate ways after five years during the COVID-19 lockdown, when they realized that they didn’t have much in common anymore. But Natasha hasn’t given up hope on finding her “forever person,” especially since her parents, who’ve been together for 42 years, are a constant source of inspiration.

Maria

Age: 30

Occupation: Makeup artist

Location: Southampton, England

Passionate and outgoing Maria isn’t afraid to speak her mind — and knows exactly what she wants in a romantic partner. At the very top of her list is an “alpha male” type who’s seeking a traditional relationship. But he’ll have some big shoes to fill: Maria is looking for a husband who has the same qualities as her dad, who passed away in 2020. In her eyes, her role model was the “definition of a protector” and any guy who comes into her life has to measure up.

Lisa

Age: 34

Occupation: Baby photographer

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

For Lisa, falling in love is the easy part — sometimes it happens practically overnight — but she hasn’t quite figured out how to make it last. As an ‘all-in kind of girl’, Lisa is looking for a relationship of substance that’s all about what’s on the inside. If she finds her perfect match in the pods, she hopes to start a family one day. And she’s definitely comfortable with babies, as Lisa owns a photography business that specializes in newborn shoots. But don’t waste her time if physical appearance is a priority, as Lisa wants to build a relationship that goes beyond the surface.

Jasmine

Age: 29

Occupation: Mental health nurse

Location: London

After four years of being single, Jasmine has a working theory about why men don’t approach her in public: they find her ‘resting bitch face’ intimidating. But she couldn’t be more available for the right guy who’s ready to settle down and put a ring on her finger … preferably before she turns 30. Before her current job, she worked as a flight attendant, so she’s used to dating men from all around the world, but a luxurious lifestyle won’t hold her attention. Instead, she’s ready to start the next chapter of her life with a guy who’s able to communicate how he feels and speak her love language: words of affirmation.

Elle

Age: 27

Occupation: Graphic designer

Location: London

Elle is a total Daddy’s girl, and dreams of the day she’ll meet someone who shares his values, as her dad is ‘husband goals.’ The graphic designer is often blinded by good looks when it comes to dating, which means she can ignore red flags. Elle has been single and dating for the past year, but has struggled to find a guy who wants the same things in life: To get married and build a big family.

Ella

Age: 27

Occupation: Social worker

Location: Derbyshire, England

Getting judged based on looks is an experience Ella knows all too well, as she was bullied growing up. Now she works with children who are going through the same struggles, bringing her healing journey full circle. Entering the pods, Ella is searching for a life-changing connection with a man who will match her energy and give 100% to the relationship. In the past, that’s been hard to find, as the guys she’s come across haven’t reciprocated her feelings. Bonus points if he’s a music and food lover — Ella loves to sing and whip up an Italian meal.

Demi

Age: 30

Occupation: Safeguarding and attendance manager

Location: London

Sporty Demi is ready to break out of the friend zone after some men find her competitive instincts intimidating. Demi can go toe-to-toe with them on the soccer field and boxing ring but struggles when it comes to dating. Now she’s done ‘making jokes about being single’ and more than prepared to make finding a forever soulmate a priority in the pods. She won’t budge, however, when it comes to having children. Family comes first for Demi, as she wants to live up to the example set by her parents, who are still deeply in love after being married for 14 years.

Catherine

Age: 29

Occupation: Dental nurse

Location: Jersey, England

The ‘horrific’ dating scene on the small island of Jersey hasn’t exactly helped Catherine, as ‘everybody’s related to everybody’. The dental nurse thought she’d found her future husband — until she discovered he was cheating on her right before they were set to go on vacation together. Now Catherine is ready to broaden her horizons beyond her hometown and enter the pods for another shot at true love. Ideally, she’d cross paths with a compassionate guy who understands how being adopted as a baby has shaped the course of her life.

Tom

Age: 38

Occupation: PR and advertising consultant

Location: London

After one long-term relationship, Tom spent most of his 30s focusing on his own personal growth, building his career, and getting ready to settle down. Now that he’s been single for six years, Tom is ready to take the next step and put his search for love above everything else. And, as a frequent traveler, he’s done jetting off around the world solo, as ‘watching a sunset [isn’t] the same on your own’. But ladies, be warned: Tom is a self-described and very proud ‘mummy’s boy’, so anyone who makes it down the aisle must first get a green light from the No.1 woman in his life.

Steven

Age: 37

Occupation: Gym owner

Location: London

Steven is dating to marry and start a family — and he just needs to find the right woman to return all the love he has to offer. As the owner of his own gym, Steven puts in work when it comes to fitness, but he’s just as focused on a heart and mind connection. He goes above and beyond to pay attention to his partner’s needs in a relationship, making notes of their likes, dislikes, hopes, and dreams. Entering the pods, his head and heart are set on a locking down a happily ever after, as he’s already ‘almost got [his wedding] planned’.

Sam

Age: 31

Occupation: Product design manager

Location: London

For years, Sam’s mom has been on his back about settling down and finding a wife, but he’s entering the experiment for his own reasons. With two heartbreaks in his past, Sam wants to make his third shot at love the one that lasts a lifetime. He’s excited to lead with his personality in the pods, as women in London tend to focus on Sam’s height (for the record, he’s 6’4) instead of his heart. But he hasn’t made any real attempts at dating lately, as his ‘extraordinary’ career growth has been on the forefront of his mind, while his love life has fallen by the wayside.

Ryan

Age: 31

Occupation: Techno DJ and cellist

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Say cello to Ryan: a techno DJ and cellist, who’s looking to end his two-year single streak. In previous relationships, the Korea-born musician has dated older, but he’s open to connecting with women of all ages in the pods. However, at 6’3″, tall women tend to grab his attention. Ryan’s biggest challenge with dating is getting people on board with his demanding schedule, as he often works through the night and jets off around the world to perform. But strike the right chord with him, and he’s ready to make a commitment of a lifetime.

Richie

Age: 30

Occupation: Sports turf maintenance director

Location: Gloucestershire, England

Richie is an avid sports fan, but he’s done playing games when it comes to dating. His most serious relationship spanned 18 months, but came to an end when his then-girlfriend expressed doubts about starting a family. Since then, Richie’s been on the hunt for a woman who’s future-oriented and who doesn’t mind giving him plenty of reassurance. But the pods might prove difficult for Richie, whose love language is first and foremost physical touch.

Ollie

Age: 33

Occupation: Software sales

Location: London

Going for ‘Instagram-hot’ girls hasn’t yielded the meaningful partnership Ollie has always desired deep down. After six years of being single, he’s finally ready to switch up his dating strategy and deprioritize looks to meet a potential soulmate. Plus, he’s absolutely tired of arriving to all of his friends’ weddings without a date and wants to find his forever plus one. But if anybody wants to be a part of Ollie’s life, they’ll have to get the approval of his family, as absolutely nothing means more to him.

Jordan

Age: 32

Occupation: Fashion tech founder

Location: Surrey, England

Jordan has watched his friends and family get married and have kids one by one, and now he’s ready to take the plunge. And while he’s taken risks in business as the founder of his own company, putting it all on the line for love isn’t his typical approach. For Jordan, trust has to be earned, but he’s ready to throw caution to the wind in the pods should his potential soulmate be on the other side of that glowing blue wall.

Joanes

Age: 31

Occupation: Resident service manager

Location: Luton, England

Salsa and language enthusiast Joanes hopes his next partner will be his forever amour. But finding someone who shares his values in this swipe-happy world has proved difficult, as Joanes isn’t interested in playing games or text message tennis. Instead, he’s an old-school romantic who’s searching for something extremely rare in his future wife, as ‘rocks are easily found, but you have to dig deep for that diamond’.

Jake

Age: 32

Occupation: Civil engineer

Location: Leicestershire, England

If Jake had his way, he’d already be married with kids by now. Among his friends, he has a reputation for falling in love quickly and being ‘a bit of a melt’ in past relationships. He’s never been more motivated to find his perfect match in the pods. And if any of the women can match his patient and sensitive nature, there’s no stopping Jake from walking away from the experiment with his forever partner.

Freddie

Age: 32

Occupation: Funeral director

Location: Bolton, England

In the past, many have been quick to judge fitness enthusiast Freddie solely by his looks. But Freddie has fostered a deep sense of empathy, thanks to his career as a full-time funeral director and his tight bond with brother Jack, who has Down syndrome. As for love, Freddie goes all in, buying flowers, booking travel plans, and making dinner reservations for his partner. Unfortunately, his exes haven’t exactly appreciated his overt displays of affection, so he’s hoping to find someone who speaks his love language.

Conor

Age: 31

Occupation: Health food business owner

Location: Dublin, Ireland

Long distance was to blame for the demise of Conor’s last relationship, but seven years later he’s more than healed from the heartbreak. Still, this expert flirt has found it difficult to connect with anyone else on a deeper level, despite having plenty of love to give — and dreams of starting a family one day. But no matter where this journey takes him, Conor is bringing the memory of his late mother with him, as he recently opened a health food business in her memory.

Charlie

Age: 34

Occupation: Gym general manager

Location: Hertfordshire, England

When it comes to relationships, Charlie has been through it all — serial dating, giving his mom control of his apps, and dodging more than a few catfishes along the way. Despite his cheeky sense of humor, the former soccer player hasn’t had much luck finding lasting love in the past five years. But he hasn’t given up hope just yet. Charlie knows that a genuine connection is waiting for him on the other side of the pods, because “looks can only take things so far.” Plus, he’s of the belief that you ultimately “need your best mate” for a true partnership, so only a soul connection will do.

Bobby

Age: 33

Occupation: Luxury shopping guide

Location: Staffordshire, England

Whether you know him as Bobby or by his rapper alter-ego Bobby J, music is the way to this British boy’s heart. After travelling the world, he’s now ready to be in perfect harmony with the woman of his dreams. Family comes first for Bobby, who says he doesn’t know where he would be without his mother. And after losing his cousin under tragic circumstances, he’s keenly aware of just how short life is. That’s why Bobby is more than ready to “fall very hard” for his future wife in the pods.

Benaiah

Age: 33

Occupation: Structural landscaper

Location: Preston, England

It’s safe to say Benaiah is used to riding solo. Following a painful first heartbreak, he’s spent the past 11 years free of any romantic attachments. But now that he’s settled back in the UK after traveling the world, this adventure seeker is ready for his next feat: marriage. However, Benaiah isn’t interested in following any sort of handbook for a happily ever after. Instead, he wants to create a brand new blueprint for what family life could be — one that is based on love and trust with a partner with whom he can totally let his guard down.

Aaron

Age: 33

Occupation: Chicken restaurateur

Location: Milton Keynes, England

As the owner of the popular chicken wing franchise Wing Kingz, Aaron is searching for a queen to join his roost. Since ending a long-term relationship, he’s embraced the single life, but now Aaron doesn’t want to be alone when the party ends. After all, he knows everlasting love is possible thanks to his parents, who’ve been together for the past 34 years. Now it’s Aaron’s time to follow in the footsteps of his brothers and sisters and create his own family.