Channel 9 is sending six famous Australians into shark-infested waters for its new series SHARK!, premiering Sunday, May 31 at 7.00 pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Shot in the Bahamas, the series takes the celebrities to the waters of Bimini, home to up to 40 shark species.
The format sees the cast move through escalating challenges, from the safety of a protective cage to the final goal: an open-water swim with a tiger shark.
The celebrities taking the plunge
The cast includes four-time Olympic gold medallist Ariarne Titmus, social media star Tammy Hembrow, Gold Logie winner Lynne McGranger, TV host Scott Cam, NRL legend Sam Thaiday and actor Matt Nable.
Each will be pushed out of their comfort zone in an environment where they have little control.
The show is positioned as both an adrenaline-driven challenge and an emotional journey, with the celebrities confronting fear while learning more about shark behaviour.
Who is leading the series?
The celebrities will be guided by Australian shark attack survivor and former Navy clearance diver Paul de Gelder.
De Gelder lost his right hand and leg in a Sydney Harbour bull shark attack.
He will be joined by shark researcher and photographer Annie Guttridge, whose expertise will help unpack the predators’ behaviours and the rules of underwater safety.
More than a fear test
SHARK! will explore the do’s, don’ts and “definitely don’ts” of underwater behaviour, while challenging how the celebrities see some of the ocean’s most feared animals.
As the cast moves closer to the tiger shark encounter, the series aims to shift panic into confidence and fear into respect.
SHARK! is produced by ITV Studios Australia and is based on the format Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters, created by Plimsoll Productions, part of ITV Studios, for the 9Network.
Top image: Channel 9