Matt Edmondson, Mollie King host discovery+ UK reboot of Beauty And The Geek
February 8, 2022
Discovery UK has announced the commission of two discovery+ original reality series – the classic and highly popular Beauty And The Geek and a brand-new contemporary format Zodiac Island (w/t). Both shows will drop on discovery+ in the UK later this year.
Matt Edmondson and Mollie King (The Saturdays), presenters of BBC Radio 1’s Matt and Mollie, will together host the UK reboot of Beauty And The Geek; the reality show that pairs eight beauties with eight self-proclaimed ‘geeks’.
Produced by Initial (a Banijay UK company), the eight-episode series will take the cast on a journey of self-discovery, and hopefully love, through a variety of challenges that confound expectations and reveal there is more to them than meets the eye. As the series progresses couples will be eliminated, ultimately leaving only one winning pair who will take home the coveted cash prize of £50,000.
Distributed internationally by Banijay, Beauty And The Geek is a FOX format, originally created in 2005 and adapted in over 20 markets across Europe, Latin America and beyond.
Matt Edmondson, said: “I have absolutely no idea why Mollie and I have been chosen to host this show – I get that I am a natural beauty, but I’ve never really thought of her as a ‘geek ’- nevertheless, I’m certain we’ll have a blast hosting the UK series of Beauty And The Geek. I love this show and the fact it brings people together who, at first, might seem worlds apart to prove that they are not so different at all. As the saying goes, ‘you can never judge a book by its cover’.”
Mollie King said: “I can’t wait to host the return of the UK series of Beauty And The Geek with Matt! As a pair, we are determined to help the couples get the best out of this adventure, and really want them to bring out the best in one another. Of course being a hopeless romantic I’m hoping to see some sparks fly too! Ultimately, we want everyone to be seen and appreciated for who they really are inside.”
As well as bringing back the reality classic, discovery+ will also be home to a brand new dating format and discovery+ original, Zodiac Island (w/t). Produced by Barefaced TV (part of STV Studios), the 10×60’ series will feature three leading astrologers who will carefully find matches for twelve cynical singletons. Living together during one lunar cycle on a sun-soaked Greek island, the series will test whether matching couples by their birth charts will lead to true love.
Clare Laycock, SVP Planning & Insights, Head of Entertainment at Discovery UK, said: “Beauty And The Geek has enjoyed huge international success and we are delighted to bring it back to the UK and give discovery+ viewers access to another hit reality show. We are excited to work with Matt Edmondson and Mollie King, a perfect fit for the show, who will put this year’s couples through a series of tasks that challenge stereotypes, misconceptions and ask the ultimate question: do ‘opposites’ attract? We are also over the moon to confirm details on our brand-new dating format, Zodiac Island (w/t). This is a unique twist on the traditional dating show, combining a search for real love with a passion for astrology.”
The two reality shows were ordered by Discovery UK’s Clare Laycock, commissioned by Charlotte Reid and executive produced by Steven Fullagar for discovery+. Executive Producer for Beauty And The Geek is Jessica Thomas at Initial. The casting for the series will be overseen by Nicole Taylor. Zodiac Island (w/t) will be executive produced by Rosie Bray and Lucy Golding.
Katy Manley, Managing Director for Initial, Producers of Beauty And The Geek, said: “We are delighted to bring this iconic reality show back to the UK through discovery+. We know many viewers will have fond memories of the original show and we’re confident this updated version, where singles of all walks of life hope to find love, friendship and even confidence, will surprise and delight old fans whilst also bringing this entertaining, heart-warming show to a new audience”.
Rosie Bray and Lucy Golding, Creative Directors at Barefaced TV, Producers of Zodiac Island, said: “With discovery+ we know we’ve found the perfect home for our original format Zodiac Island, which looks at dating in a whole new way, creating love matches that are truly written in the stars.”