Love Is Blind UK casting producer reveals efforts to bring everyone’s love stories to the screen – and why diversity matters in all areas of TV

Putting together the cast for a TV show is incredibly challenging, particularly when it’s a show that attracts a huge audience and resonates with many viewers on a personal level.

Love Is Blind has become a real cultural hit, standing out from other dating shows with its unique and unusual format.

This reality show follows singles who are looking for love and willing to get engaged – all before ever meeting face-to-face.

The show’s concept is to have singles connect with someone on an emotional level before seeing if there’s a physical attraction. They temporarily ignore what they usually look for in a partner to see if a deeper connection can form.

Both seasons of the UK version have featured a diverse cast of people from across the UK and Ireland, all searching for their ideal partner.

Vivian Eguridu, a rising talent selected for this year’s BAFTA Breakthrough program, helped cast the first season of Love Is Blind UK. She played a key role in bringing the couples – including Nicole and Benaiah, and Bobby and Jasmine – to the show.

When choosing the first cast for Love Is Blind UK, Eguridu explained that they consider everyone who applies. Once the final group is selected, they analyze things like each person’s relationship patterns and what they’re looking for in a partner, all to give everyone a fair shot at finding love.

It often seems like romantic stories on TV only focus on a specific type of woman, and that doesn’t feel right. Everyone deserves to see themselves represented in a happy love story and have their own ‘happily ever after’.

I really wanted to highlight that message through the actors we chose. We aimed to show that love takes many forms and that everyone deserves a happy ending.

Fortunately, it was easy to make sure these stories could be shared, and Eguridu specifically commended the leadership at CPL Productions, the creators of Love Is Blind UK.

What I really liked about Love Is Blind was having a fantastic and diverse executive producer involved in the show.

Having diverse leadership creates a ripple effect, influencing how every team thinks and operates.

This was one of the first shows where I didn’t feel pressured to constantly represent every person of color. The director truly understood diversity and saw us as individuals, not just by our race or any labels.

As someone who’s totally hooked on shows like Love Is Blind UK, it’s fascinating to learn who puts them together! I discovered that Eguridu isn’t just involved with Love Is Blind, but has also helped cast and looked after the contestants on huge shows like Squid Game: The Challenge, Love Island, and even First Dates. It’s amazing to think about the work that goes on behind the scenes to make these shows happen.

Throughout these shows, viewers have enjoyed getting to know a variety of people and hearing stories from their lives. Eguridu prioritizes finding a diverse cast because they believe it’s important to showcase a wide range of perspectives and conversations.

Stories are most compelling when they’re diverse and interconnected. When choosing actors, it’s crucial to remember that everyone has a unique life story and perspective. I always encourage those in charge – whether they’re commissioners or executives – to embrace richer, more innovative storytelling and explore different viewpoints. You’d be amazed by what audiences can gain from seeing things from a fresh perspective.

It’s common for people to initially connect with those who share similar appearances. However, you might be surprised how much deeper connections can go when you look beyond that. Shared backgrounds, similar life experiences, or even growing up in comparable environments can create strong bonds. Finding this common ground is essential for understanding and healing as a society.

I think Eguridu has a really good point. He explained that if a show only tells one side of a story over and over, it won’t resonate with everyone – and that’s the opposite of what you want when you’re trying to create something that connects with a wide audience. It’s about making sure the story feels relatable to as many people as possible.

The goal of choosing actors isn’t just to tell a story, but to explore different perspectives and find shared experiences that can bring people together.

I approach casting by looking for universal human experiences. Because of my own diverse background, I believe I can connect with any character, regardless of their race or gender. It’s about finding shared emotions and relatable qualities.

To really reach an audience, you need diverse and relatable stories, and that’s what I’m aiming for when I choose actors.

The BAFTA Breakthrough UK program, sponsored by Netflix, highlights and supports rising stars in film, games, and television, helping them advance their careers.

The full list of this year’s BAFTA Breakthrough UK cohort is as follows:

Akinola Davies Jr – director/co-writer (My Father’s Shadow)
Alderney Middleton – series producer (Maddie + Triggs)
Cara Ellison – writer/ narrative designer (Ghost Town)
Ellis Howard – performer (What It Feels Like for a Girl)
Jodie-Simone Howe – costume designer (Mr Loverman)
Kyle Banks -director (Farewell North)
Laura Carreira – director/writer (On Falling)
Marie-Elena Dyche – producer (Harvest)
Mark Choi – composer (Empire of the Ants)
Matthew Gurney – performer (Reunion)
Megumi Inman – co-director/producer (Atomic People)
Nathalie Pitters – director of photography (Brian and Maggie)
Nathaniel Price – writer/associate producer (Mr Loverman)
Olaide Sadiq – director (Grenfell: Uncovered)
Owen Tooth – director (EastEnders)
Pinny Grylls – director/writer/editor (Grand Theft Hamlet)
Sally Beaumont – lead voice actor/script consultant (Old Skies)
Stanley Baxton – solo developer (Latex, Leather, Lipstick, Love, Lust)
Stephanie Taylor – composer (The Search For Nicola Bulley)
Vivian Eguridu – series casting producer (Love Is Blind UK series 1)

2025-11-25 03:43

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