Season five of Love Island USA has concluded, bringing with it a rollercoaster of love, heartbreak, intense feelings, and dramatic twists. The Peacock series, with the charming return of Modern Family actress Sarah Hyland as host, follows a group of singles as they inhabit the Love Island villa, all in pursuit of romantic connections. While forming couples, these Islanders also encounter challenges, surprises, and unexpected developments that determine whether they will stick with their current partner or choose someone new. Home viewers also have a say in who stays and who leaves with a broken heart.
Simon Thomas, the show’s executive producer, aspires to create an atmosphere where both Islanders and audiences feel like they’re having the most incredible summer vacation ever, with a touch of drama along the way. Season five, set in Fiji, lived up to this goal, featuring its share of sensational events, from an Islander’s confrontation with Hyland during a tense elimination to the entry of an ex-girlfriend as a game-changing addition. Despite the ups and downs, several couples persevered and made it to the final stages.
In an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Thomas delves into the creative process behind each season, how the team handles intense moments during filming, insights into what transpires behind the scenes during the Casa Amor return, the mental health support available for Islanders, and tantalizing hints about the upcoming spinoff, Love Island Games.
Sarah Hyland’s return as the host received rave reviews. What was it like having her back? Sarah is truly fantastic! Her natural charm and likability make her a standout, and the Islanders genuinely look up to her. She’s been an absolute joy.
Could you shed some light on the planning behind selecting the initial group of Islanders and their first coupling episode? One intriguing aspect of our show, setting it apart from others in the same genre, is our minimal emphasis on matchmaking. The casting process is quite extensive – we probably consider more individuals compared to other shows, given our larger cast throughout the season. Our approach is to bring together a diverse mix of personalities. When they converge, we’ve learned not to impose our expectations on their behavior. This unpredictability is enjoyable, as they often surprise us with their choices. We avoid directing them towards a particular path. Our aim is to set the stage for potential love connections and observe how things unfold as new people enter the mix.
When assembling the group of Islanders, is the hope that they’ll all get along? Certainly, our hope is that everyone finds a connection. We want everyone to discover something meaningful. This way, when new Islanders arrive, there’s room for further connections. We want the Islanders to have an unforgettable summer vacation experience – akin to the best memories from your youth. Our intention is to evoke that sense of bonding over shared experiences. While drama might arise, the overall atmosphere should be joyful.
The return of Islanders from Casa Amor generates intense anticipation. How does it feel to witness this behind the scenes? Casa Amor is quite intriguing; we actually conduct the final coupling twice due to the presence of two villas. We keep this segment hidden from viewers due to spoilers. It’s comparable to anticipating Christmas Eve and Christmas – we have insights into the dynamics but aren’t entirely sure how things will unfold. The outcomes can be explosively diverse. Experiencing Casa Amor, as well as watching live streams internally, is addicting and can keep you glued to the screen late into the night. Our internal perspective covers all 24 hours of content, whereas viewers see only a fraction of that each day.
The intense and unexpected scene where Islander Mike Stark confronts Sarah Hyland during the “red wedding” episode drew significant attention on social media. How do you navigate such high-stakes moments? When such situations arise, our immediate concern is ensuring everyone’s well-being and preventing the situation from escalating. Love Island doesn’t rely on scripted scenes; our cameras capture authentic interactions, often without repositioning or perfect alignment. Hence, when spontaneous events occur, we simply follow the unfolding narrative. Sarah Hyland’s professionalism shines here – she’s fully present, deeply knowledgeable about the Islanders from watching the show and streams, and capable of maintaining her position. This ability to adapt is crucial in a Love Island host. Sarah’s questions stem from genuine curiosity, making her well-equipped to respond, even in unexpected situations.
Given the show’s emotional and dramatic nature, are there mental health resources in place for the Islanders? Absolutely, mental health is a top priority. We conduct proactive check-ins with all participants. Love Island is fundamentally designed as a sincere dating show. We prevent excessive alcohol consumption and avoid manipulating situations, as these are real people involved. Mistakes made by Islanders are portrayed without judgment, as a poor choice for one person could be a valuable lesson for another. Every individual deserves a chance to learn from their errors and move forward with their lives. Our team conducts regular check-ins, independent of the production crew, involving mental health professionals and talent managers who ensure the Islanders’ well-being. This care extends beyond the show’s conclusion.
Bethenny Frankel recently advocated for reality TV stars to unionize in light of ongoing industry strikes. What are your thoughts on this idea? I can’t speak for her experiences, as I haven’t worked with her or her projects. Our focus is on self-care and maintaining processes that prioritize the well-being of both crew and cast. We hold both aspects in high regard, especially given the fast-paced nature of our production. While we’re passionate about creating the show, it never comes at the expense of individuals.
What message would you convey to the winning couple of Love Island USA season five? I’d tell them to genuinely savor the moment. This journey involved several weeks of effort, including significant decision-making. It might seem trivial to claim that lounging in the sun for six weeks is hard work, but they’ve been through an emotional and transformative process. Now, as they’ve hopefully found someone special, they should enjoy each other’s company without being preoccupied with the future. Our cast members are chosen for their authenticity, and we hope the winners relish their victory and remain in the present. I’m genuinely rooting for all of them this season; there’s a lot of authentic emotion across the board.
With your involvement in Love Island USA since its inception, what lessons from season five might influence future seasons? We’re always learning and adapting. Our approach is humble; we view ourselves as underdogs, striving to find our niche in the cultural landscape, rather than comparing ourselves to the UK version as much as before. We actively observe global iterations of the show, engaging with various teams worldwide. We’re constantly refining based on these observations. Season six will likely bring surprising elements, similar to this season, as we experiment with new ideas to enhance the experience.
Could you provide any teasers about the upcoming spinoff, Love Island Games, slated for release this fall? Love Island Games is an innovative format developed by ITV Entertainment, tailored for Peacock. While maintaining the essence of Love Island, the format incorporates tweaks to create a unique viewing experience. Iconic Islanders familiar to audiences will participate, making it a fun and surprising show.