Traitors Go Civilian, DWTS Boots Two Newbies & Survivor's 'Open Era' Begins

The Traitors: New Blood made its highly anticipated debut on NBC on September 17, bringing 22 everyday Americans — not celebrities — into Alan Cumming's Scottish castle for the first time in the franchise's U.S. history. The two-hour premiere introduced Joe (a funeral director from Long Island) and Tomica Adams (a pilot from Boston) as the two chosen Traitors, along with a brand-new 'Accomplice' twist that has fans already losing their minds. Contestants will compete for up to $250,000, and new episodes air Thursdays through a two-hour finale on November 19.

Below Deck Mediterranean bosun Nathan Gallagher was convicted in absentia on three domestic violence charges — assault occasioning actual bodily harm, choking without consent, and common assault — after failing to appear at Sydney's Burwood Local Court on September 1. His co-star and former partner Gael Cameron was present to testify. Bravo swiftly confirmed on September 3 that it had ended its relationship with Gallagher, saying it does 'not plan on working with Nathan in the future.' He is currently a fugitive from justice in both Australia and Ireland, with an active arrest warrant.

Survivor 51 premieres Wednesday, September 23 at 8 PM ET/PT on CBS with a two-hour kickoff episode titled 'Permanent Uncertainty.' The season features 21 all-new castaways split into two tribes — a first since Winners at War — and officially ushers in what host Jeff Probst is calling 'the Open Era.' That means every twist, advantage, and game mechanic in show history is theoretically on the table at any time, without warning. New episodes run 90 minutes weekly and stream next day on Paramount+.

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City returned for its seventh season on September 16 with a supersized premiere called 'Chosen Family,' and the vibes are heavy right out of the gate. Season 7 opens with Mary Cosby grieving the death of her 23-year-old son, Robert Cosby Jr., while both Whitney Rose and Angie Katsanevas are navigating separations from their husbands. Newcomer Ashley Quai joins the group as a friend, alongside the returning full cast. New episodes air Wednesdays at 8 PM on Bravo and stream Thursdays on Peacock.

Just days after The Traitors Season 4 swept the 2026 Emmys with seven wins — the most ever for a competition series in a single year — Peacock announced it is renewing the show for three additional seasons, taking it through Season 8. Alan Cumming, who scored his third consecutive Emmy for Outstanding Host, is set to return. The renewal also comes as The Traitors: New Blood, a civilian-led spinoff, just premiered on NBC. Season 5 of the flagship Peacock version is already set for 2027.

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 5 dropped all five episodes on Hulu on September 10, and it serves as Whitney Leavitt's official goodbye to the MomTok universe after she announced her departure in May. The season documents her Broadway run as Roxie Hart in Chicago and her life beyond the show — though production was cut short due to drama surrounding Taylor Frankie Paul's domestic situation. In the ultimate crossover moment, Whitney's husband Conner Leavitt is now competing on DWTS Season 35 — and got eliminated in Week 1.

Netflix's Wonka's The Golden Ticket premieres this Tuesday, September 23 — the same night as Survivor! — with seven episodes dropping simultaneously, celebrating the 55th anniversary of the 1971 Willy Wonka film. Twelve Golden Ticket winners each bring a partner into a recreation of Wonka's Chocolate Factory to face 'unpredictable games, tests, and temptations.' The show's most buzzed-about element: an AI-recreated voice of Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka, produced with the full consent of his estate. A two-part finale drops September 30.

America's Got Talent Season 21 heads into its two-night finale this week, with the performance show on Tuesday, September 22 and the results/winner reveal on Wednesday, September 23 (both on NBC). The ten finalists include four Golden Buzzer acts — Hundred Fingers, Lai Noelle, Nene Royal, and Unitree (robots) — alongside six audience-voted semifinal qualifiers: Acro Canine Crew, Come Here, Geno Ploeger, Olivia Befus, Royal Lasers, and Veronika Goroshkova. Judge Simon Cowell, who missed several weeks for back surgery, is expected to return to the panel for the finale.