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Netflix has officially cancelled Celebrity Bear Hunt, its high-budget survival reality series hosted by Bear Grylls and Holly Willoughby, after just one season.
The show, which aired in February and saw a group of celebrities tackle extreme wilderness challenges in the jungles of Costa Rica, was initially tipped to be a long-running hit. But despite drawing strong viewer numbers, the streaming giant has decided not to renew it, citing sky-high production costs as the primary reason.
A source close to the production revealed: “Everyone was very proud of the show but when it came to it, it was just so expensive to make. You had to have a whole set in Costa Rica, loads of staff and loads of celebrities. The overheads were eyewatering.”
Bear Grylls had previously expressed hope for a second series, and the combination of Hollywood-grade survival stunts and celebrity drama was well received by audiences. However, Netflix is said to be shifting its focus toward more cost-effective live events and less pre-recorded, location-heavy content in the year ahead.
It’s understood that producers did explore the possibility of relocating the show to cheaper international sites, but ultimately, none were deemed suitable for the intense, immersive experience the show promised.
The first and only season of Celebrity Bear Hunt featured famous faces being dropped into the wild and pushed to their limits under Bear Grylls' no-nonsense guidance, with Holly Willoughby providing a softer touch as co-host. Viewers praised the dynamic between the two presenters and the often-hilarious reactions of pampered celebrities trying to survive in the elements.
Netflix has not yet issued an official statement on the cancellation, but fans of the show have already taken to social media to share their disappointment. Some have called for another network to pick up the format, but there are currently no plans to continue the series elsewhere.
The cancellation comes as part of a broader move by Netflix to trim high-cost productions and invest in content with a higher return on investment. While the jungle may no longer call to its celebrity guests, Celebrity Bear Hunt will be remembered as a bold, if brief, adventure.
