What’s up, reality TV fanatics? Enjoying Survivor 48? Recovering from the bonkers season of The Traitors? Catching up on the postseason Love Is Blind drama? Honestly, same.
The reality TV orbit continues to expand, adding new shows, novel twists, and special formats into the rectangular world of our TV screens. It’s hard to manage all of it, which is why you have me, Bracketology’s self-proclaimed “Supreme Expert of Reality TV But Only Really For A Few Specific Shows.” With that title now firmly locked in (I hope the founders don’t edit that out!), it’s time to explore the rest of 2025 and parse out the best new reality TV shows coming this year. We’ve got new ideas and returning favorites—it’s a veritable smorgasbord, folks!
It’s damn-near impossible to capture everything in one measly post, so I’m going to focus on a few key categories and preview some of the shows I’m most excited for.
The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives S2
Finally, the anticipated return of the show my wife called “just okay!” Joke’s on her, that means I can watch it myself while she’s on a work trip and live my housewife fantasy alone!
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives knew exactly what it was doing when it aired season one in 2024. Take the tried-and-true Real Housewives format and supplant it onto a group of dramatic religious moms. The ensuing show unveiled a lot of dirt on the Mormon community while simultaneously reckoning with the church’s problems (sexism and myriad others). The mix of sincere explorations of what it means to live in the Mormon community and the absolute bonkers drama that occurs within it is the ideal cocktail for reality TV.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season two starts on May 15 on Hulu.
An Underlooked Spin-off: RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs. The World S3
If it’s possible for Drag Race to reach the point of oversaturation, I certainly haven’t reached it. I relish every season and spin-off of RuPaul’s Drag Race, including the oft-underestimated Vs. The World series. UK Vs. The World has been particularly delightful over its first two seasons. The return of Jimbo! The elimination of Pangina Heals! The rise of Tia Kopf! These moments are all possible thanks to the series, which streams on World of Wonder (and that explains why it’s not always embraced by the core fandom).
Rumor has it that season 3 wrapped filming already, so we can expect a release date soon.
A Huge Milestone: RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 10
Officially announced on August 10, 2024, RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 10 will likely air in the second half of 2025. Eighteen queens are rumored to take the stage in the landmark season.
In recent years, the All Stars twists and turns have provided fun subversions of the show’s format. All signs point to this being an elimination season (18 queens the whole time would be…a lot), and competition will undoubtedly be fierce for that coveted season 10 crown.
Needlessly Long Build-Up: Lego Masters S5
Hot damn, I adore Lego Masters. Pairs of builders team up to compete in Lego challenges to be judged by Brickmasters Amy Corbett and Jamie Berard. Will Arnett hosts and does all sorts of comedy bits that actually land (though take this with a grain of salt as I am a dad and thus all-in on cheesy humor). The builds themselves are immense and imaginative, and the teams genuinely want each other to do well. I guess what I’m saying is it’s just The Great British Bake Off with Lego Bricks (that’s right, they won’t call them “Legos” on the show, folks!).
FOX is weirdly hush-hush about new Lego Masters seasons, and it’s hard to pin down details. I’m hoping we see season five later this year. That would certainly align with the show’s last few premieres.
More, More, More Reality Stars: Battle Camp
Netflix seems to have caught on! Chucking a bunch of reality TV fan-favorites into an obnoxiously over-the-top competition setting just works.
According to Tudum by Netflix, the series premieres on April 23 and offers a cash prize of $250,000. There are physically taxing challenges, a “wheel of misfortune,” and “gruelling punishments” in store. Based on pre-show materials, it looks like Netflix’s answer to MTV’s juggernaut The Challenge.
Expect contestants from The Circle, Perfect Match, Love Is Blind, The Mole, and other Netflix series to make appearances. After a quick scroll through the cast list, I determined this show is a must-watch thanks only to Shubham from The Circle’s first and fifth seasons.
A Netflix Revival: Temptation Island
Temptation Island made waves in 2001. Years later, Netflix is bringing it back for more drama, more island hook-ups, and more thinly veiled shenanigans beneath claims of “allowing people to find love.”
Temptation Island was part of the original wave of dating reality shows, and now it slots neatly into our current cultural zeitgeist. It’s a companion to Love Island, Too Hot To Handle, Love Is Blind, The Ultimatum, and even Perfect Match. Couples come to the titular island to test their connections. The new season started streaming on March 12, 2025. I have yet to give it a go, but a cursory glance at some of the buzz surrounding the show tells me it’s juicy as all hell.
An Annual Must-Watch: Jeopardy! Masters
Let’s finish things off with a crowd pleaser. Jeopardy! Masters has become yearly viewing for millions, even those who don’t keep up with day-to-day Jeopardy! goings-on.
The 12-game series will pit six contestants against each other in various combinations, where they can earn points and battle for the ultimate trivia prize of $500,000, the Trebek Trophy, and a $100,000 donation to the winner’s chosen charity.
Last year’s top three finishers return to Masters this year: Victoria Groce, Yogesh Raut, and self-proclaimed game-show villain James Holzhauer. Neilesh Vinjamuri earned his spot as the 2024 Tournament of Champions winner while beloved champion Matt Amodio clinched a spot by winning the Jeopardy Invitational Tournament. One contestant remains: the coveted Producer’s Pick. Last year, Amy Schneider received the honor, but this year’s selection is still under wraps. I’m holding out hope for Buzzy Cohen!
Jeopardy! Masters starts on April 30, 2025
