Netflix has announced the cancellation of its popular reality game show, The Circle, after a seven-season run. The decision comes as viewers questioned the show's future following a prolonged absence from screens since its last season premiered in October 2024. However, fans will be relieved to learn that the programme is not entirely disappearing, as a new version is set to air on Hulu in the US, which typically translates to availability on Disney+ for audiences in the UK.
The format of The Circle sees contestants living in separate apartments within the same building, communicating solely through a bespoke social media application. Participants can choose to be themselves or create entirely new personas, with the ultimate goal of becoming the most popular player and winning a cash prize. The show gained significant traction for its exploration of online identity and social dynamics.
The upcoming Hulu iteration is poised to introduce several notable changes. For the first time in the show's history, it will merge civilian contestants with celebrities, a concept previously trialled in the UK version with figures such as Mel B, Emma Bunton, and Richard Madeley. Additionally, audience voting will be introduced, shifting some of the power from the contestants themselves, who traditionally decided who was 'blocked' from the game.
A significant change for the new series will also be in its presentation. According to reports from The Wrap, Michelle Buteau, who has hosted the Netflix version, will not be returning. Hulu has stated that the new host and full cast members will be announced at a later date. The original British version of The Circle, which aired on Channel 4 from 2018 to 2021, was hosted by Maya Jama and Alice Levine for its first series, with Emma Willis taking over for subsequent seasons.
The show's production history has seen it move across various locations. The initial UK series was filmed in London before relocating to Salford, Manchester, where the first few US seasons were also shot. Following the cancellation of the British series, the Netflix production moved its base to Atlanta, Georgia, for its later seasons.
Source: The Wrap