Nine has confirmed cast for The Block‘s 20th season, filmed on Phillip Island, earlier this year.
Five couples renovate five luxury family holiday homes – once again designed by architect Julian Brenchley – from an abandoned resort just a few minutes’ drive from the town of Cowes.
Host Scott Cam is back for an incredible 18th season and joined by Shelley Craft for her 17th season.
“When I drove into the site for the first time I knew it was going to be a big job for our contestants,” Cam said. “The houses are enormous and when you walk around the site, there are surprises at every turn, including a tennis court and a swimming pool.”
This year there are some big changes with Dan Reilly as sole Foreman after Keith Schleiger was unable to move to Phillip Island fulltime.
Real estate director Marty Fox also replaces judge Neale Whitaker alongside Shaynna Blaze and Darren Palmer -both both Whitaker and Schleiger will make special guest appearances.
Couples who will start the renovations are:
- Carpenter Jesse (29) and claims specialist Paige (27) – engaged couple from WA
- Electrician Kristian (31) and restaurant manager Mimi (28) – newlyweds from SA
- Plumber Ricky (34) and IT worker Haydn (37) – best mates from VIC
- Events account director and furniture designer Courtney (32) and landscape business development manager Grant (29) – married couple from NSW
- Hairdresser and business owner Kylie (37) and electrician and plumber Brad (32) – married parents from QLD
The 20th season sees a number of fan favourites returning to the show to lend a helping hand, plus, as this season builds to the auction, a select group of the Allstars will be helping to create something never seen on The Block before.
The returning Allstar Blockheads include:
Steph and Gian (2023), Eliza and Liberty (2023), Jimmy and Tam (2020), Alisa and Lysandra (2013, 2014), Ronnie and Georgia (2020, 2021), Michael and Carlene (2014), Kyal and Kara (2014), Tom and Sarah-Jane (2022), Omar and Oz (2022), Dale and Sophie (2012) and Andy and Deb (2019).
Creators Julian Cress and David Barbour said, “Marking Season 20, it felt like we really needed to do something special. We weren’t going to settle for just any location as it’s a major milestone, and Phillip Island has exceeded all of our expectations.
“Not only is it the natural beauty of the place, but the warm welcome we were given from the local community made it a very special experience for the entire cast, the crew, hosts and judges.
“We set out to build five holiday houses, but it certainly wasn’t a holiday for some of our contestants. Without giving too much away, the audience is going to be in for some major surprises across this series.”
The series is expected in August following the Olympics.
The first series of The Block premiered in 2003 from the Sydney suburb of Bondi and was an immediate ratings smash. Twenty seasons later, it is entrenched as a cultural phenomenon, as well as one of the most successful shows in Australian television history.
The Block has seen:
Over 900 episodes created
More than $34,000,000 in prizemoney won
176 Blockheads on the show
98 homes renovated
200 bathrooms built
98 kitchens built
Broadcasts in 170 territories around the world
The Block in Phillip Island is set to celebrate a milestone 20th season in 2024 and is coming soon to Channel 9 and 9Now.