With Love Island off our screens this winter due to the pandemic, there’s a big gap in the schedule for a dating-based reality show.
Luckily, ITV2 has the perfect replacement, in the shape of new show The Cabins, which is essentially the winter Love Island people had originally expected.
The show is based on the original Dutch format called Let Love Rule created by John de Mol, aka the man behind the biggest reality show of all time, Big Brother.
It has proved to be a huge success since launching in the Netherlands, where it has already aired over 200 episodes across two series.
Ahead of its UK launch on Monday night, here’s everything you need to know about The Cabins…
The premise of the show is pretty simple
A host of singletons will be split into couples and will immediately start living together as their first date begins in their own exclusive log cabin.
There will be roaring fires and simmering hot tubs, as the couples get to know their potential partners. After 24 hours, they have to decide if they would like to spend more time together, or call it a day and walk away...
Like Love Island, it will also have a comedian narrating the action
Maisie Adam will be presiding over The Cabins, giving her unique take on the romantic shenanigans in the same capacity as Iain Stirling on Love Island.
Maisie kicked off her comedy career in 2017, when she triumphed in the nationwide So You Think You’re Funny? competition, which has previously been won by the likes of Peter Kay, Aisling Bea, and Tom Allen.
The following year, she was nominated for the Best Newcomer award at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards for her debut show Vague, where she also won the Amused Moose National Comic Award.
You may have also seen Maisie pop up on shows including Mock the Week, Have I Got News for You, QI, Roast Battle, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Hypothetical and The Stand-Up Sketch Show, while she also hosts a podcast called That’s A First alongside comedian Tom Lucy.
There’s a spin-off show too, geniusly titled Out Of The Woods
Radio 1 DJ and Strictly Come Dancing alum Clara Amfo will host the spin-off alongside Ibiza Weekender star David Potts.
The pair will be catching up with the “cabin crew to delve deeper into what went down inside those beautifully furnished walls”
Clara said she “can’t wait” for the series, adding: “Human connection will never not be fascinating to me and millions of others. As a nation, we’re obsessed with seeing how people fall in and out of love and everything in between.”
So, who are the contestants?
Abraham
Age: 21
Occupation: Student studying architecture
From: East London
He says: “What I’m specifically looking for is a partner or a best friend that could lead into that. That department of my life has been extremely unfortunate.”
Holly
Age: 23
Occupation: Cabin crew, make-up artist and influencer
From: Staffordshire
She says: “To start I want to see the fun side of them. I don’t want to be sat at the dinner table quizzing each other. I can’t stand the formal stuff.”
Mamudo
Age: 23
Occupation: Footballer and coach
From: Liverpool
He says: “I’m looking for someone that can match my energy, have a laugh with. Someone who is family orientated. Someone who can push me and I can push to achieve great things in life. Someone that I can connect with.”
Robyn
Age: 26
Occupation: Sales executive
From: Doncaster
She says: “I’ve been single for four years. I’ve enjoyed the single life, but now I’m ready to find someone. It would be so exciting if I found someone on The Cabins.”
Jess
Age: 24
Occupation: Works at local pub and bingo hall
From: Newport
She says: “I’m really comfortable with myself and the way my life’s going. I just want someone to share my crazy lifestyle with.”
Sarah
Age: 26
Occupation: Waitress, murder mystery actor, personal trainer and fitness model
From: Blackpool
She says: “I’ve dated men, but not a lot. Primarily I’m women, but if I fall for a guy, I’ll give them a chance. I do classify myself as lesbian.”
Tom
Age: 26
Occupation: National business development manager
From: Leeds
He says: “I’m over enthusiastic, very energetic, so [I’m looking for] someone I can have a laugh with, play games, talk rubbish, have a laugh.”
Sofia
Age: 21
Occupation: Miss Diamond UK, tattoo apprentice and model
From: Kent
She says: “I thought, what better way to get to know a person than being stuck with them for 24 hours? I thought it was a really good idea and I really like the ethos of the show.”
Will
Age: 28
Occupation: Electrician
From: London
He says: “I’m trying to maybe settle down, but it’s getting harder for me. Trying to find someone who likes me, it’s like trying to stand up in a hammock.”
Olivia
Age: 22
Occupation: Customer service representative
From: Hull
She says: “I’ve never had an amazing date. This will be the first. Whatever happens this will wow me regardless.”
Joel
Age: 22
Occupation: Bin man
From: Swansea
He says: “I’m looking forward to the environment – the comfort, cabin life. And obviously the jacuzzi at the front – I’m dying to get in there.”
Charlotte
Age: 29
Occupation: Operations manager
From: Stafford
She says: “I’m excited that I can’t hide anything from her. She’s going to get all of me in a short amount of time.”
Where are the cabins?
ITV hasn’t confirmed the exact location of the cabins featured in the show, but said they are “nestled in the UK”, with coronavirus restrictions presumably preventing it being filmed further from home.
However, Bustle has pointed out that the cabins bear a resemblance to the luxury Hidden River Cabins in Cumbria.
For the show, each sumptuous cabin has been kitted out with a hot tub, games, romantic outdoor seating and fully equipped kitchens to rustle up date-worthy treats.
Each cabin has an individual name too – Beaver’s Burrow, Otter’s Pocket and Stag’s Mount, so you can probably predict there’s going to be lots of innuendo with those.
So, when is The Cabins on?
The Cabins begins on Monday 4 January at 9pm on ITV2, airing weeknights at the same time thereafter.