Love Is Blind UK premiered on Netflix on Wednesday, but it has received a wave of mixed reviews from TV critics. After its success in the United States, where six series’ have aired, the show has landed in the UK. Thirty singletons entered hoping to bag themselves a partner and get married during the show’s wedding finale.
Married couple Emma and Matt Willis are the hosts of the UK series, filling the shoes previously worn in the US by Nick and Vanessa Lachey. However, despite its success in the US, some British critics have slammed the couple for “hosting through gritted teeth” and have branded the Netflix premiere “awful.”
The Guardian’s Elle Hunt gave the show a disappointing two-star review, claiming the concept of the show is “un-British”. She wrote, “Emma and Matt Willis are a good match for Nick and Vanessa Lachey’s star power, even if they don’t share the American couple’s supreme ease with the undertaking.” She continued, “It is, after all, essentially un-British to talk about your feelings, which all Love Is Blind participants are obliged to do constantly.”
The Independent’s Ellie Muir also issued a two-star review and wrote, “Things got off to a promising start.. the hope is quickly lost in episode one when an unenthused Matt asks ‘Is love truly blind?’ through gritted teeth.”
However, The Standard gave it a four-star review, explaining: “Yes, it’s made for American audiences, but this cast is surprisingly loveable.”
Inews also gave the show a raving review, stating, “if these addictive opening four episodes are anything to go by, the first British series might end up being the best in the world.”
The first four episodes of Love Is Blind: UK were released on August 7, and will be followed by three more on August 14, before the final airs on August 21.
Breaking Down the Stereotype
Or so the exec producer of “Love is Blind U.K.” feared before the contestants of the new British edition of Netflix’s hit dating show were sent into their pods to find a potential partner.
“What’s fantastic about the U.S. show is how people are so effusive and are very clear about how they feel are so article,” explains Nazleen Karim, a reality TV vet who has worked across shows such as “Big Brother” and “Made in Chelsea.” “And we thought, gosh, there’s this stereotype of the British stiff upper lip. Will that be the case or will we defy the stereotype?”
Much to their surprise, they did.
Within just a few minutes of watching Love is Blind U.K. it’s quite clear that each one of British singletons has absolutely no issue letting it all out when it comes to their emotions (while talking to a potential spouse that they can’t actually see, of course).
“We went into the pods thinking, can we pull this off? Will we be able to do this? And then there was this magic, and it just happened after day one and people were opening up within the first 10 minutes. And we were thinking, what is this magic formula about the pods?”
For Karim, the pods — little more than a series of small, cosy rooms kitted out with a coach, a rug and a blue wall shared with another pod — offer just the right “inviting, comfortable environment” to encourage people to go deeper than they might anywhere else.
“There’s something so beautiful and confronting about the pods, it just allows you to be really vulnerable,” says Karim, so people just lay their hearts and emotions on the line and the Brits bared their souls in a similar way to the U.S. cast. We were so proud of British men.”
Love Is Blind UK: A Social Experiment
Many viewers may see “Love is Blind” as pure entertainment, but Karim suggests that the “social experiment” also helps set an example for other men, showing that they can talk about their feelings while still having masculine energy.
“We love that message that our male cast has been fantastic about putting across,” she says.
Love Is Blind UK: A Slightly Older Cast
While the format of the U.K. show is practical identical to that of its U.S. counterpart, which has already run for six seasons and spawned remakes in Japan, Brazil, Mexico and Germany, there is one noticeable difference when it comes to the contestants: they’re a little older. Most, in fact, are in their 30s. And that’s a factor series editor David Cheesman says the creative team also very proud of.
“I feels more authentic that these people are ready to take the next step into finding a life partner and a soulmate and effectively saying ‘I do’ at the altar,” he says, noting that people tend to get married younger in the U.S. (the average age for women in the U.S. is 28.6 while in the U.K. it’s 30.6). “It’s not something people in their 20s can always afford to do in the U.K., so I think it makes our cast very believable and very relatable to people watching.”
Love Is Blind UK: A British Twist
The cast was also selected from across the length and breadth of the U.K., with a wide range of accents — some much stronger than others — meaning that some U.S. viewers may need to use subtitles. While Karim says they obviously welcome all international audiences, she claims it was primarily made with a British audience in mind, pointing to certain phrases used that only Brits might understand (and the fact one date ended because the couple supported rival soccer teams — Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspurs).
While some may struggle with a few of the accents, “Love is Blind” fans around the world should instantly recognize the golden goblets each cast member carries with them into the pods, a prop that has become synonymous with the show and has been happily continued into the U.K. edition (instead of something a little more local, such as a china teacup).
Are the Goblets Actually Filled with a Magic Formula?
But could these goblets actually contain the “magic formula” that helps the Brits open up in such an un-British manner? Potentially smashing another stereotype, Cheesman claims that there’s rarely any alcohol in them.
“There’s not as much as you would think,” he says. “But there’s a lot of water, lots of tea and lots of coffee.”
The Hosts of Love Is Blind UK
A Variety and iHeartRadio Podcast
The Business of Entertainment “Love Is Blind: UK” hosts Matt and Emma Willis told Business Insider they were rooting for the show’s contestants, but there were a few couples who made them wonder “how’s this gonna go?”
“Love Is Blind: UK” is the latest spin-off of Netflix’s hugely popular dating show “Love Is Blind,” which launched in 2020 and is hosted by married couple Nick and Vanessa Lachey.
In the first few episodes, contestants date in pods so they can’t see each other and must connect based on personality rather than looks. Those connect get engaged, meet face-to-face, and then go on holiday.
In the final stage, they return home to see if their relationship fits into their regular life, before deciding whether to get married or break up.
When Netflix recruited Matt Willis, a member of the English pop-punk band Busted, and Emma Willis, host of the UK versions of “The Voice,” “Big Brother,” and “The Circle,” they said they were already massive fans of the show.
Matt and Emma spoke to BI about what it was like to shoot “Love is Blind: UK,” including having special access to the pods while filming in Sweden.
BI: “Love Is Blind” is such a huge brand. What was your first reaction when Netflix asked you to host the show together?
Emma: My first reaction was “absolutely yes” because we’d watched it and had become obsessed. And then it was panic because it’s such a huge show that you’re like, “Oh, please let us be as good as all the others.”
Matt: But then we watched it, and we’re like, “Oh, it’s brilliant. So, thank God.” It’s the best thing to be a part of because we love love.
As big fans of the show, what part were you most excited about seeing?
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Matt: I was so excited to see the pods. It’s [filmed in] a big hanger and looks incredible.
Emma: I couldn’t wait to just get in a room with all of them to chat, be nosy, question them, and find out their motives. The frustrating thing was that we only dip in and out of it, and we just wanted to be there all the time.
Once they were about to go into the pods, [the production team] took us to the gallery, and it was literally a wall full of screens. They said, “Sit down.” They put some headphones on us and gave us a little button to flip between pods, and we sat there for maybe two hours. We couldn’t pull ourselves away. We had to get on a plane.
Matt: And I was matching everyone in my head and writing them down. This person is going to get with this person. I was wrong about everyone.
Were there any couples you were rooting for?
Matt: It’s a beautiful show and you kind of just want everyone to fall in love.
Emma: There was maybe one or two that you’re like, “How is this gonna go?” That’s the beauty of the show. When you think something’s not going well, you put them in a different environment, and they thrive.
So the pods make them react a certain way, and then you get them on a beach. They act a different way, and then you take them back to the reality of home and real life, family, work, and living together, and then that changes the dynamic again. So you really see different phases of a relationship in a really short amount of time.
Some people tune in to “Love Is Blind” for the drama rather than the romance. Would you say the UK season is more or less dramatic than the original show?
Emma: I think it’s less dramatic than the US, but the right level of drama.
Matt: It feels very real.
Emma: I feel like it’s just pitched perfectly. It’s not a show about drama. It’s a show about love, but with love comes drama. So I think it’s a perfect marriage of drama and love which reflects life.
The first four episodes of “Love Is Blind: UK” are available on Netflix.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Read next
Love Is Blind UK: The Cast
Jump to The Netflix reality hit moved across the pond and struck gold with its latest contestants.
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Spoilers for Love Is Blind: UK episodes 1-4 ahead. There’s nothing like a fresh season of Love Is Blind. Back in 2020, Netflix created a social phenomenon with the premiere season of its hit dating reality show, with six(!) couples getting engaged sight unseen after dating in the show’s trademark pods. By now, the U.S. version of LIB has a lot of baggage, from multiple ruinous breakups to an array of legal challenges brought by former cast members. However, there are still international versions of the series that have brought romance and found dedicated fan bases worldwide. (Raise your hand if you’re still hoping for Love Is Blind: Japan season 2.)
The inaugural season of Love Is Blind: UK arrived on Netflix on August 7, 2024, debuting four initial episodes that may be the best the franchise has seen since the original flagship’s fourth season. Rather than being based in one city, the cast has been recruited from all across the U.K., and there are already some standouts approaching the experiment with truly open hearts. (We’ll see how this statement ages as the full 12-episode season drops over the next few weeks.) For now, time to meet the swoon-worthy cast of Love Is Blind: UK season 1.
Aaron
Aaron in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @amurrell1
Location: Milton Keynes, England
Occupation: Chicken restauranteur
Romantic Inspiration: “His parents, who’ve been together for the past 34 years.”
Gets Engaged? No.
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Benaiah
Benaiah in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @benaiahgb
Location: Preston, England
Occupation: Structural landscaper
Looking For: “A partner with whom he can totally let his guard down.”
Gets Engaged?:TBA (We don’t see whether he and Nicole rekindle things after she breaks up with Sam.)
Bobby
Bobby in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @bobbyj4k
Location: Staffordshire, England
Occupation: Luxury shopping guide, rapper
Why He Joined LIB: “After traveling the world, he’s now ready to be in perfect harmony with the woman of his dreams.”
Gets Engaged? Yes, to Jasmine
Catherine
Catherine in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @catrichards94
Location: Jersey, England
Occupation: Dental nurse
Looking For: “A compassionate guy who understands how being adopted as a baby has shaped the course of her life.”
Gets Engaged? Yes, to Freddie.
Charlie
Charlie in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @charlie.mawson08
Location: Hertfordshire, England
Occupation: Gym general manager
Dating History: “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.”
Gets Engaged? No.
Conor
Conor in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @griffindoor92
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Occupation: Health food business owner
Dating History: “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.”
Gets Engaged? No.
Demi
Demi in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @demisantanabrown
Location: London, England
Occupation: Safeguarding and attendance manager
Why She Joined LIB: “Sporty Demi is ready to break out of the friend zone after some men find her competitive instincts intimidating.”
Gets Engaged? Yes, to Ollie.
Ella
Ella in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @ellalilianaa
Location: Derbyshire, England
Occupation: Social worker
Looking For: “A life-changing connection with a man who will match her energy and give 100% to the relationship... Bonus points if he’s a music and food lover.”
Gets Engaged? No.
Elle
Elle in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Location: London, England
Occupation: Graphic designer
Describes Herself As: “A total Daddy’s girl, and dreams of the day she’ll meet someone who shares his values, as her dad is ‘husband goals.’”
Gets Engaged? No.
Freddie
Freddie in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @freddieppowell
Location: Bolton, England
Occupation: Funeral director
Biggest Strength: “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.”
Gets Engaged? Yes, to Catherine.
Jake
Jake in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @jake.shill
Location: Leicestershire, England
Occupation: Civil engineer
Dating History: “Falling in love quickly and being ‘a bit of a melt’ in past relationships.”
Gets Engaged? No.
Jasmine
Jasmine in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @thejaycee_
Location: London, England
Occupation: Mental health nurse
Why She Joined LIB: “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.”
Gets Engaged? Yes, to Bobby.
Joanes
Joanes in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @joanes11
Location: Luton, England
Occupation: Resident service manager
Describes Himself As: An “old-school romantic who’s searching for something extremely rare in his future wife.”
Gets Engaged? No.
Jordan
Jordan in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @jordybaker
Location: Surrey, England
Occupation: Fashion tech founder
Why He Joined LIB: “Jordan has watched his friends and family get married and have kids one by one, and now he’s ready to take the plunge.”
Gets Engaged? No.
Lisa
Lisa in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @lisahendrie
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Occupation: Baby photographer
Dating History: “Falling in love is the easy part — sometimes it happens practically overnight — but she hasn’t quite figured out how to make it last.”
Gets Engaged? No.
Maria
Maria in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @mariabenkh
Locationb Southampton, England
Occupation: Makeup artist
Looking For: “An ‘alpha male’ type who’s seeking a traditional relationship... [and] a husband who has the same qualities as her dad, who passed away in 2020.”
Gets Engaged? Yes, to Tom.
Natasha
Natasha in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @tashwaters
Location: Cheshire, England
Occupation: Careers coordinator
Dating History: “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.”
Gets Engaged?: No.
Nicole
Nicole in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @theholisticnicole
Location: Surrey, England
Occupation: Head of brand and marketing
Why She Joined LIB: “After her first marriage came to an end, Nicole is ‘ready to be vulnerable again and walk down the aisle.’”
Gets Engaged? TBA (She gets engaged to Sam but they break up off-camera.)
Olivia
Olivia in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @livlavelle
Location: London, England
Occupation: Creative project director
Looking For: “A potential lifelong partner who ‘makes [her] better’ as she enters the next stage of her life.”
Gets Engaged? No.
Ollie
Ollie in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @ollie1sutherland
Location: London, England
Occupation: Software sales
Why He Joined LIB: “Going for ‘Instagram-hot’ girls hasn’t yielded the meaningful partnership Ollie has always desired deep down.”
Gets Engaged? Yes, to Demi.
Priya
Priya in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @priyanka__grewal
Location: Berkshire, England
Occupation: Procurement manager
Dating History: “She was previously engaged for just 24 hours, but quickly ended things when she realized deep down they were on different paths.”
Gets Engaged? No.
Ria
Ria in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @reelouise31
Location: London, England
Occupation: Commercial contracts manager
Why She Joined LIB: “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.”
Gets Engaged? No.
Richie
Richie in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @trickyy
Location: Gloucestershire, England
Occupation: Sports turf maintenance director
Looking For: “A woman who’s future-oriented and who doesn’t mind giving him plenty of reassurance.”
Gets Engaged? No.
Ryan
Ryan in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @thescottishkorean
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Occupation: Techno DJ and cellist
Biggest Dating Challenge: “Getting people on board with his demanding schedule, as he often works through the night and jets off around the world to perform.”
Gets Engaged? No.
Sabrina
Sabrina in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @sabrinavittoriaegerton
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Occupation: Director of marketing and communications
Why She Joined LIB: “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.”
Gets Engaged? Yes, to Steven.
Sam
Sam in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @sam_klein
Location: London, England
Occupation: Product design manager
Why He Joined LIB: “With two heartbreaks in his past, Sam wants to make his third shot at love the one that lasts a lifetime.”
Gets Engaged? Yes, to Nicole, but they break up off-camera.
Sharlotte
Sharlotte in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @sharlotteritchie
Location: London, England
Occupation: Global communications director
Ideal Type: “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.”
Gets Engaged? No.
Shirley
Shirley in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @shirleybekker
Location: London, England
Occupation: Junior doctor
Worst Habit: She “enjoys ‘winning the hearts of emotionally unavailable men.’”
Gets Engaged? No.
Steven
Steven in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @stvnsmthy
Location: London, England
Occupation: Gym owner
Biggest Strength: “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.”
Gets Engaged? Yes, to Sabrina.
Tom
Tom in Love is Blind: UK season 1.
Instagram: @stroudtom
Location: London, England
Occupation: PR and advertising consultant
Describes Himself As: “A 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.”
Gets Engaged? Yes, to Maria.
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