Fox has revealed the identities of the 15 pioneers who will be building Utopia, a new reality series created by Big Brother's John de Mol, which will premiere Sunday, September 7 at 8PM ET/PT.
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Following the two-hour premiere, Utopia will air additional episodes on Tuesday, September 9 from 8-9PM ET/PT and Friday, September 12 from 8-9PM ET/PT. The show's regular time period will be Tuesday nights with six special broadcasts airing on Friday nights.
Utopia will be a Big Brother and Survivor blend which challenges 15 participants to create a perfect utopian civilization while surviving at an isolated, undeveloped location for an entire year.
Utopia will feature "pioneers" living in an environment together with no existing power structures, limited amenities and zero bathrooms. The "inhabitants" will be tasked with building a new society and attempting to become indispensable to the group, otherwise, they'll risk being "exiled" back to their regular lives and replaced by potential newcomers.
"These 15 Utopians -- seven women, eight men -- have accepted the challenge and each of them brings a unique skill set and ideal to Utopia. A lawyer, a preacher, a contractor, a chef, an ex-con and a soon-to-be-mom are among those seeking to build this new society. What conflicts will emerge, what leaders will arise and what ideals will shape this new world?," according to the network.
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Similar to Big Brother, the "inhabitants" will be recorded 24/7 and live feeds will be available online on UtopiaTV.com and the Utopia phone application for iOS, Android and Windows. Fans can begin viewing online content on Friday, August 29.
Utopia premiered in Holland in early January and drew strong ratings.
Below is the information Fox has released about the 15 people who will be participating in Utopia:
BELLA CHARTRAND
If there's one person prepped for success in Utopia, it's naked yoga enthusiast Bella, known as "the peppy prepper with a purpose" in her Southern hometown. "I'd rather be digging a hole than on a date," says Bella, who nonetheless remains "open to the possibility of having a child in Utopia."
Name: Bella Chartrand
Vitals: 45, single
Habitat of Origin: Griffin, GA
Occupation: Real estate entrepreneur; survivalist prepper
Skillset: Has been ready for Utopia for 10 years
ANDREA COX
"I'm a Christian who drops the f-bomb," announces this detox diva, who would resort to cannibalism before killing or eating an animal. Utopians beware: "When I snap, I can be a little b-tchy and manipulating to get my way," the self-proclaimed born-again virgin warns.
Name: Andrea Cox
Vitals: 38, single
Habitat of Origin: San Diego, CA
Occupation: Raw vegan chef; detox expert
Skillset: Juicing EVERYTHING
"5TH AVE" DAVE GREEN
"On paper, I'm written off," says 5th Avenue Dave, a former drug dealer and burglar who's been in and out of jail since 17. "I wanna show the world that ex-convicts and felons can make a change."
Name: Dave Green Nickname: 5th Avenue
Vitals: 31, single
Habitat of Origin: Queens, NY
Occupation: Homeless/Unemployed
Skillset: Sales; hustling; amateur barbering; smooth-talking
ROB HOSPIDOR
"I'm a g-ddamn patriot," says proud Jersey native Rob Hospidor, who's excited to represent America - "the REAL 'Merica," he clarifies. The gun-loving libertarian is sure to clash with the "hippies, kumbayahs and hairy-legged broads" he suspects will populate Utopia.
Name: Rob Hospidor
Vitals: 38, engaged
Habitat of Origin: South Amboy, NJ
Occupation: Security programmer
Skillset: Hunting; fishing; handling guns; getting combative
JOSH JOHNSTON
"You can't build a house without a general contractor, and you can't build Utopia without me," says Josh. A natural leader and a self-proclaimed "sexy beast," Josh is on a personal quest to unify the group to build the most gratifying society possible.
Name: Josh Johnston
Vitals: 36, father
Habitat of Origin: Salt Lake City, UT
Occupation: General contractor
Skillset: Building; cooking; sewing; fishing; hunting
JONATHAN LOVELACE
"When I go to Utopia, God goes to Utopia," proclaims Jonathan, who hopes to build a church and baptize his fellow Utopians.
Name: Jonathan Lovelace
Vitals: 44, married with two kids
Habitat of Origin: Church Hill, TN
Occupation: Pastor; high school coach
Skillset: Building; hunting; fishing; praying
NIKKI NOCE
An ideal society won't take shape overnight, but don't expect that to phase Nikki. The holistic doctor and tantric sex enthusiast is sure to take a hands-on approach to communal living. "The human touch is so loving and healing," she says.
Name: Dr. Nikki Noce
Vitals: 29, single
Habitat of Origin: Brooklyn, NY
Occupation: Medical and Holistic doctor; life coach; herbalist
Skillset: Non-traditional medicine; yoga instruction; gardening
BRI NYUGEN
"It would be nice to be the prettiest girl in Utopia - that way, I could have my pick of the men," says Bri, who is also passionate about animal rights and sustainability.
Name: Bri Nyugen
Vitals: 20, single
Habitat of Origin: Westminster, CA
Occupation: Veterinary technician; student
Skillset: Farming; raising livestock; horseback riding; canning fruits and vegetables; building huts
MIKE QUINN
"My strengths are definitely in government, not in working," says lawyer Mike, a serial dater who's packing work boots...although he's not planning on wearing them. "We have a much better chance of creating a society if I'm managing the rules."
Name: Mike Quinn
Vitals: 33, single
Habitat of Origin: New York, NY
Occupation: Attorney
Skillset: Litigation; wise-cracking
AMANDA SCOTT
"I'm pregnant, but not powerless," says Amanda, who plans to keep her pregnancy a secret from the other Utopians for as long as she can. Her work with developmentally challenged children reaffirms her belief that if "everyone treated each other like family, the world would be a better place."
Name: Amanda Scott
Vitals: 30, single
Habitat of Origin: Seattle, WA
Occupation: Behavioral specialist
Skillset: Patience; organizing/planning; singing
AARON THOMAS
"Food is life," says this former Army officer who knows what a good meal can mean to a hungry community. A hopeless romantic and fantastic forager, Aaron envisions a Utopia free of class divisions and full of nuts and berries.
Name: Aaron Thomas
Vitals: 26, single
Habitat of Origin: Jackson, MS
Occupation: Private chef
Skillset: cooking; foraging; personal training
CHRIS TUORTO
He'll infuse your spirit with happiness and burn your mouth with the hot peppers he farms with his family. Chili charmer Chris loves inspiring others, working as a team and finding beauty in all he beholds. Well, maybe not everything. "Bible bangers drive me nuts," he says.
Name: Chris Tuorto
Vitals: 25, single
Habitat of Origin: Cary, NC
Occupation: Glass blower; chili farmer
Skillset: Skateboarding; surfing; shredding; guitar-playing
HEX VANISLES
Don't call her Katniss. Sure, hunter Hex Vanisles is "six feet of twisted steel and sex appeal," but her primary game is to bring lessons from Utopia back to Detroit, her hometown.
Name: Hex Vanisles
Vitals: 25, single
Habitat of Origin: Detroit, MI
Occupation: Unemployed
Skillset: Hunting; fishing; gathering
RED VANWINKLE
"I'll be your Hillbilly MacGyver and your go-to guy," says Kentucky Red, who won't tolerate fools in Utopia. "I can fix just about anything," he says. "But there ain't no fixin' stupid."
Name: Red Vanwinkle
Vitals: 42, married; father
Habitat of Origin: Cecilia, KY
Occupation: Handyman; farmer; moonshiner; home builder; natural medicine man
Skillset: See "Occupation" above. The guy can do it all.
DEDEKER WINSTON
In Utopia, Dedeker wants everyone to feel safe, warm and comfortable... with her non-traditional sexuality: polyamory. "I'm not a freak. I'm not a sex addict. This is not a kink," says the liberal, who hopes to educate her fellow Utopians.
Name: Dedeker Winston
Vitals: 26, polyamorous relationship
Habitat of Origin: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Model; motion-capture artist,
Skillset: Cheese-making; social mediating
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski