Disney+ Adds Three New Premium Reality Commissions to Its Growing Slate of UK Unscripted Original Series

Disney+ dials up the drama with a brand-new raft of reality commissions including the return of Britain’s original and much-loved dating series “Blind Date”, reimagined for a contemporary audience.

The ultimate dating series “Blind Date” is back – bigger, better, and bolder than ever. The new series will begin in a secret “Blind Date” location, where contestants must choose between three potential suitors, hidden from view behind the legendary “Blind Date” wall, the only thing standing between them and their potential true love just metres away. With a host of unique, innovative, and head-turning format twists, our daters will see if forever love can truly grow as they spend the summer living together but potential new partners are always lurking behind the wall…

The Original series (10×45′) is executive produced by Matthew Worthy & Kieran Doherty for Stellify Media (a Sony Pictures Television-backed company) and Graham Stuart for SO TV (part of ITV Studios). The series was commissioned and is executive produced by Sean Doyle, Executive Director, Unscripted for Disney+.

Within the new slate is also a new premium access series, “The Rooneys” (working title). The Original series (10×40′) is produced by Lorton Entertainment and Blast Films.

The observational doc-series will feature Coleen and Wayne Rooney like we’ve never seen them before, along with their family and friends, as they step into a new chapter of their lives. The ten-part series will follow Coleen as she navigates new entrepreneurial endeavours, while Wayne swaps training for the school run.

Having grown up in the limelight since their teens, the Rooneys are no strangers to public interest in their personal lives. However, this Disney+ exclusive series will offer unprecedented access that sees them navigating the highs and lows of everyday family life, whether that’s juggling their respective careers and busy family of four boys, or enjoying quality family time on holiday, celebrating milestone birthdays and anniversaries.

“The Rooneys” (w/t) is executive produced by Julian Bird, Paul Stretford, and Ashley Smith for Lorton Entertainment, Danny Hora,n and Tanya Winston for Blast Films. The Series Director is Martin Webb, and Nonuk Walter serves as showrunner. The series was commissioned by Sean Doyle, Executive Director, Unscripted for Disney+ and is executive produced by Jon Swain, Commissioning Executive, Unscripted for Disney+.

The final show in the mix “Jamie and Sophie: Raising Chelsea” (working title), features the nation’s favourite ‘nearly parents’, Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo, as they embrace their latest challenge and greatest joy to date… parenthood. Dorothy St Pictures produce the series in association with Jampot Productions.

Known for their infectious energy and no filter truth-telling, Jamie and Sophie’s on-screen journey in their twenties gripped audiences across the globe on hit Channel 4 series Made in Chelsea. Their new Disney+ Original series will take viewers on a no holds barred whirlwind journey of the next chapter in their lives in this refreshingly relatable series.

Whether it’s the emotional rollercoaster of pregnancy, balancing their busy professional lives, moving into their first family home, navigating support – and unsolicited advice – from loved ones, or documenting of the way on their top-charting podcast, NearlyParents, viewers can expect moments of warmth, humour and of course, a healthy dose of drama as the countdown approaches…

Speaking of the upcoming series, Jamie and Sophie say, “For nearly a decade, we’ve brought audiences along the highs and lows of our personal and professional lives through TV, radio, social media, and our podcasts. It’s such an honour to now partner with the incredible teams at Disney+ and Dorothy St Pictures to bring our next chapter to viewers across the globe. Navigating our lives with a baby on the way has opened up a whole new stage of our relationship – we can’t wait to give you a front row seat!”

“Jamie and Sophie: Raising Chelsea” (w/t) is produced by the award-winning production company behind critically acclaimed series “Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story” and the EMMY nominated “Pamela, A Love Story”, Dorothy St Pictures, in association with Jampot Productions. Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo also executive produce. The series was commissioned by Sean Doyle, Executive Director, Unscripted for Disney+ and is executive produced by Gaby Aung, Senior Manager, Unscripted for Disney+.

Sean Doyle, Executive Director of Unscripted at Disney+ shares, “We’ve seen great success over the past couple of years with our Disney+ Original unscripted series such as “Finding Michael”, “Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story”, “Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story” and more recently, “Flintoff”.

Our distinctive offering of combining the most talked-about household names and their incredible life experiences has hit the right note with our audiences who are looking for authentic and captivating real-life stories.

As our slate evolves, we want to continue working with world-class producers and homegrown talent in the reality space, with a focus on female-skewed factual. These shows will complement our existing and iconic reality offering from our US studio partners, including The Kardashians and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

We’re really grateful to be working with the Rooney’s again, along with Jamie and Sophie for the first time, and Blind Date is a brilliant opportunity to bring everyone’s favourite dating show to a large scale with the potential to resonate with a whole new generation.

Filming is underway on The Rooneys (w/t) and Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo: Raising Chelsea (w/t). Production will begin on Blind Date later this year. Further details will be announced in due course.