Dating prank show Don’t Get Catfished secures launch day repeat commission for Channel 4.0

Channel 4.0’s brand-new show, Don’t Get Catfished, from Bakers Dozen Studios and After Party Studios has been recommissioned ahead of its first series premiering on the YouTube channel later today.  

In each episode, one well-known creator is looking for a real connection and will blind date five potential matches. However, two of their fellow stars are pulling a prank on their pal, using voice scrambling tech to disguise and persuade their friend they’re the perfect match. Amongst the dividers, the three other contestants are real and hopeful singles who are flirting their way into our creator’s heart. Can our headliner find a true partner, or face the savage gloating from their mates after a great game of deception and persuasion? 

The first series kicks off with YouTuber Deji who is looking for someone who understands the life of a content creator, but Fran (really Harry Pinero) and Abby (actually Darkest Man) have other ideas, and make it their mission to ensure they win Deji’s heart. Meanwhile, the real daters fight and flirt their way to prove they’re the one. Others looking to link up with a potential date in this series includes Nella Rose, Konan, Zeze Millz, Romell Henry and Scousemali.  

Channel 4.0’s Evie Buckley commented: “This is a hilarious and instantly moreish social experiment with all the familiar appeal of a dating format that really reflects the approach we’re taking with Channel 4.0 to cut through all the noise on YouTube. We know ‘Don’t Get Catfished’ will quickly captivate our audience, so we wanted to ensure we quickly follow up on the first series with more chaos next year.” 

Marvyn Benoit co-founder of Bakers Dozen Studios said: “For Channel 4.0 to recommission ‘Don’t Get Catfished’ on the day series one lands is the biggest compliment we and the team at After Party Studios could receive. It underlines exactly what we set out to achieve with this format - taking risks, embracing innovation and creating content that excites both creators and audiences all whilst championing diverse talent.”

Jamie McDonald, Head of Originals at After Party Studios added: ”Don’t Get Catfished’ is the kind of bold, mischievous and digitally native content After Party Studios loves to make. Teaming up with Bakers Dozen has been a creative collaboration and we’re thrilled to keep the partnership rolling to deliver even more catfishing chaos to Channel 4.0’s army of viewers in series two.”

Stemming from an idea first pitched by Benoit in 2023, Don’t Get Catfished series two (6x20’) was commissioned for C4.0 by Evie Buckley, Digital Commissioning Editor and Channel 4.0 Lead with Catriona White, Digital Commissioning Executive and Sacha Khari, Head of Digital Commissioning. Executive Producers are Marvyn Benoit from Bakers Dozen Studios, and Jamie MacDonald and Sam Ewen from After Party Studios. It is series produced by Trent William-Jones. Watch the first series every Thursday on Channel 4.0.