The new season of Love Is Blind UK has left this viewer questioning why she still tunes into Love Island. New episodes of the Netflix dating experiment have just dropped, introducing 30 singles who entered the famous pods hoping to find 'The One'.
As always, the contestants go on a string of blind dates and choose to commit to one person without ever seeing each other. The hope is to build a sincere emotional connection that isn't influenced by physical attraction. Each couple goes on to face various relationship milestones, from moving in together to meeting each other's families. Then comes the weddings and, fingers crossed, a life of marital bliss.
A Fairytale Format That Delivers
The UK spin-off has been followed since its premiere in 2024, and each year there are absolutely no complaints. It serves up top-tier drama as well as genuinely sweet moments that prove love runs deeper than good looks, granted everyone on the cast is stunning.
Unfortunately, the authenticity that makes Love Is Blind such a joy to watch has been missing from Love Island for years. Reality TV fans know they are signing an invisible contract when they choose to watch "unscripted" shows. We promise to accept that producers will at one point or another intervene for the sake of bringing us piping hot drama.
Love Island's Reality Problem
But this doesn't mean we want to watch wannabe celebrities play-up to cameras for weeks on end, all in the name of bagging hundreds of thousands of followers and, if they are so lucky, life-changing brand deals. The ITV series has lost almost all signs of "reality" and turned into a ballot of Who Wants to Be A Millionaire. Except the Islanders don't have £1 million on the line, they're playing for seven-figure followers on Instagram.
Love isn't even part of the equation anymore, and most of the cast don't even try to pretend it is. This summer's winners Lorenzo Alessi and Julia Majchrzak have been home for less than a month, but they're already sparking relentless split rumours. Just earlier this year, Ciaran Davies and Samie Elishi took home the crown in Love Island: All Stars, then broke up three weeks later.
Higher Stakes on Netflix
Other contestants have studied the show so much that they know exactly who they need to partner up with if they want a spot in the final. It's not my style to pit two good shows against each other, but it's high time the Love Island casting teams start taking notes from Netflix. The Love Is Blind participants have predominantly been real people who are actually looking for love.
It has to be said that the stakes are a lot higher on the dating experiment. The wedding ceremonies are legally binding, so 'faking it' could lead to real off-screen consequences, ahem, a divorce battle. But I refuse to believe that Love Island bosses can't find singles who are genuinely looking for romance, and don't drool at the sight of a million followers. Love Is Blind UK is streaming on Netflix.
