Just when you thought Aussie reality TV had run out of ways to emotionally torment celebrities, along comes Shark! — a show that basically asks: “What if we sent famous people into shark-infested waters and called it reality TV?”
And honestly, this concept is inspired.
The new Channel 9 series drops six Australian celebrities into the crystal-clear but deeply terrifying waters of Bimini in the Bahamas, where they’re challenged to face their fears to swim with sharks.
But the new show has gotten off to a rocky start after the first two episodes were pulled from air in Western Australia in light of a shark attack off Rottnest Island two weeks ago, which took the life of 38-year-old father, Steven Mattaboni.
“Given recent events, we have made the decision to postpone the Perth broadcast premiere of Shark!” the spokesperson told Yahoo Lifestyle.
The series was supposed to be premiering in WA on Sunday, but 60 Minutes and a rerun of Live Aid: When Rock & Roll Took On the World aired instead.
In the premiere, one of the celebrities, Tammy Hembrow, had to abort her dive after she began lifting her legs and arms above the cage. “I was flailing around and screaming,” Tammy reflected afterwards. “I’m so dramatic.”
Among the brave — or possibly stitched-up — cast are two Gold Logie-winning TV icons: Home and Away legend Lynne McGranger and The Block host Scott Cam. Lynne, best known to generations of viewers as Irene Roberts, recently added Gold Logie winner to her already massive TV legacy, so naturally her next career move was… sharks.
Scott Cam, who won the Gold Logie in 2014, is also diving in, presumably after deciding renovating his and her bathrooms on a deadline was no longer stressful enough.
Shark! looks like exactly the kind of unhinged-but-watchable TV that Australia does best.
What is the Shark! TV show about?
Shark! is a new Australian reality-adventure series that sends six celebrities to Bimini in the Bahamas, which ICYMI: is a major shark-diving destination. The cast of celebrities face a series of underwater challenges, starting with cage dives before moving closer to open-water encounters.
It’s part fear test, part emotional journey, part shark conservation lesson and guaranteed to make you scream ‘arghhh shark!’.
Are the sharks real in Shark?
Yes, the sharks in Shark! are real. The show was filmed in Bimini, where the celebrities take part in guided shark encounters. This show is no joke: apart from the first caged swim, little separates them from the sharks.
Where and when can I watch Shark! in Australia?
Shark! premiered in Australia on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 7pm on Channel 9 and 9Now. The series continues on Monday, June 1, at 7:30pm, with episodes available to stream on 9Now.
Is Shark based on another international reality show?
Yes. Shark! is the Australian version of the UK format SHARK! Celebrity Infested Waters.
The format was created by Plimsoll Productions, part of ITV Studios, and first debuted in the UK before being picked up by Australia’s Nine Network. ITV Studios Australia produced the local version for Channel 9.
Who is in the Shark! cast of celebrities?
The cast of Shark! is a pretty wild mix of Aussie celebrities, with six familiar faces trading red carpets, TV sets and sporting arenas for the shark-filled waters of Bimini in the Bahamas.
The lineup includes The Block host Scott Cam, Home and Away favourite Lynne McGranger, NRL legend Sam Thaiday and actor/former rugby league player Matt Nable.
Tammy Hembrow is one of the biggest names in the cast, mainly because fans are used to seeing her in their Instagram timelines and not thrown into the ocean. Tammy is one of Australia’s biggest influencers and this businesswoman brings a touch of virality to the show, making her one of the must-watch cast members.
Ariarne Titmus is another standout. As a four-time Olympic gold medallist, she’s obviously comfortable in water, but Shark! puts her in a very different kind of swim. Instead of racing in a pool, she’s facing one of her biggest fears: sharks.
Do they crown a winner on Shark?
Shark! doesn’t have traditional “winner” in the reality competition sense.
Nine describes it more as a fear-facing journey, where six celebrities are guided through increasingly intense shark encounters in Bimini, rather than a contest where someone is crowned champion.
The end goal is completing the shark-diving experience — not beating the other cast members. Wholesome!
Who are the guides on Shark?
Guiding the celebrities through Shark! are two people who seriously know their stuff: Paul de Gelder and Annie Guttridge.
Paul is an Australian shark attack survivor, former Navy clearance diver and shark conservation advocate, bringing both real-life experience and serious ocean expertise to the show.
Annie is a renowned shark researcher, conservationist and photographer who has spent years working closely with sharks. Together, they help the cast understand the animals, manage their fear and take on each challenge safely.
Basically, they’re there to make sure the celebrities learn that sharks are beautiful, misunderstood creatures — and not movie monsters.
Shark! airs on Sunday at 7.00pm and Monday at 7.30pm on Channel 9, with episodes available to stream on 9Now.
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