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'The Challenge' Season 36: Release date, plot, cast, trailer and all you need to know about MTV’s reality show

MTV announced that the latest chapter of the long-running reality competition series is called 'The Challenge: Double Agents' and the thriller-themed episodes will be shot in Iceland

MTV’s ‘The Challenge’ is ready to make a return but with more lies, deceit, and betrayals than ever before. After a successful 35th season that put its contestants in a post-apocalyptic style bunker, there was no way a global pandemic was going to stop ‘The Challenge.’ On Thursday, November 12, MTV announced that Season 36 of the long-running reality competition series is called ‘The Challenge: Double Agents.’

The official account of the reality TV show tweeted: "The wait is over! New season of #TheChallenge premieres Wednesday December 9th 8/7c on @MTV!" The new season will have 19 thriller-themed episodes shot in Iceland. “The Challenge: Double Agents” was created for MTV by Bunim/Murray Productions. Gil Goldschein, Julie Pizzi, Emer Harkin, and Danny Wascou serve as executive producers.

Release date

The 36th season of ‘The Challenge’ will premiere December 9 at 8 pm ET on MTV. Fans can get a sneak peek of the new season with a special preview episode ‘The Challenge: Double Agents Declassified’ airing Monday, December 7 at 8 pm ET, only on MTV. The series will air globally across MTV’s international networks in early 2021.

Plot

The new season will return to a partner format shot in Iceland, putting 30 returning and new competitors against each other "in a game of secrets, spies, and lies" for their share of the million-dollar prize. 

MTV’s official “Challenge” podcast will be hosted by Deal and Ferreira, who will recap each episode of the current season and dissect all of the drama from alliances to frenemies, feuds and (probably) hookups, as well as offer behind-the-scenes secrets about how the challenges are created, to what the cast eats, and more. Each new podcast episode will drop the day after the new episode of “The Challenge” airs.

Cast

This season will feature “Challenge” veteran Chris “CT” Tamburello, who is the longest-leading vet on the season, with this being his 18th Challenge. The other veterans joining him this season are Wes Bergmann and Aneesa Ferreira, who are each on their 14th Challenge; Leroy Garrett, who is on his 12th season; Nany Gonzalez, who is on her 10th season; Darrell Taylor, taking part in his ninth season; Ashley Mitchell and Cory Wharton, who are each participating in their respective eighth seasons; Theresa Gonzalez and Nelson Thomas, who are on their seventh Challenges; Kyle Christie, who is on his sixth season; Tori Deal, Devin Walker and Kam Williams, who are on their fifth Challenge each; Josh Martinez, who will appear for the fourth time; Tula “Big T” Fazakerley and Nicole Zanatta, who are taking part in their third seasons, and Kaycee Clark, Fessy Shafaat and Jay Starrett, who have just become veterans with this being their second seasons.

This season’s rookies are Natalie Anderson of both “The Amazing Race and Survivor,” “America’s Got Talent’s” Joseph Allen, “Are You The One’s” Amber Martinez, “Big Brother’s” Amber Borzotra, “Ex on the Beach’s” Mechie Harris, “Love Island” and “Celebrity Big Brother UK” alum Gabby Allen, “Shipwrecked’s” Olivia “Liv” Jawando, Ultimate Beastmaster’s” Nam Vo, and former WWE wrestler Lio Rush.

Also, U.S. Olympian Lolo Jones, who competed in the charity spinoff “The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros,” is back to compete in a full season this year, which puts her on the line between veteran and rookie.

Trailer

The trailer for Season 2 is not out yet. Circle back here for latest updates. 

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