Behind the Scenes of Big Brother Australia Casting
Before the Big Brother Australia housemates were selected, TV WEEK was given exclusive access to observe the casting process. When Channel 10 announced the revival of Big Brother, revamped to honor the original format, excitement was high. The iconic Big Brother house returned to the Gold Coast featuring live nominations, evictions, and a 24-hour livestream.
Authentic Casting Approach
Executive Network Producer Sarah Thornton emphasized that the show is not aiming to fill the house with influencers as seen in other reality shows. Instead, the casting team focuses on finding diverse contestants from various backgrounds, ages, and walks of life, reflecting the original seasons on Channel 10.
Inside a Casting Session
On a typical Tuesday afternoon in Sydney, the casting sessions took place at a modest hotel conference room. Applicants were interviewed one by one by a panel of five executives, including Sarah Thornton. The length of each audition varied greatly—some lasted only a few minutes due to brief or unclear answers, while others impressed the panel with their energy, charisma, charm, or humor.
“I love how generous people are,” said Sarah Thornton, acknowledging the emotional side of seeing up to 60 applicants per day despite the process being exhausting.
Summary
The Big Brother Australia casting process is a rigorous yet rewarding experience focused on genuine diversity and personality rather than social media influence.