[04/22/26 - 04:46 PM] "Dancing with the Stars" Expands Hit Franchise with a New Competition Series, "Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro," Coming to ABC and Hulu The series will premiere July 13, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, with episodes available the next day on Hulu.
[via press release from ABC]
"DANCING WITH THE STARS" EXPANDS HIT FRANCHISE WITH A NEW COMPETITION SERIES, "DANCING WITH THE STARS: THE NEXT PRO," COMING TO ABC AND HULU
Dancing with the Stars" expands its hit franchise with a new competition series, "Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro," coming to ABC and Hulu.
The series will premiere July 13, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, with episodes available the next day on Hulu.
Hosted by wildlife conservationist and "Dancing with the Stars" Season 34 Len Goodman Mirrorball Champion Robert Irwin, "Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro," features 12 exceptional up-and-coming dancers who move into one house and compete in a grueling audition process, all vying for a coveted spot as a pro dancer on Season 35 of "Dancing with the Stars."
Three-time Mirrorball champion Mark Ballas and his mother, Shirley Ballas "The Queen of Latin" will serve as judges. They will be joined by a star-studded lineup of returning pros who will serve as rotating mentors/guest judges. Details about the returning pros, and contestants will be announced at a later date.
The series is produced by BBC Studios. Conrad Green serves as showrunner and executive producer. Ryan O'Dowd, Krystal Whitney, Alex Cross and Jenny Groom are executive producers. Deena Katz and Quinn Lipton are co-executive producers.
About Robert Irwin: Robert Irwin is a passionate wildlife conservationist, and the energy he brings to his work at Australia Zoo is contagious. Irwin is determined to protect wildlife and inspire others through his work behind and in front of the lens as a nature photographer and TV presenter. Irwin and his family live at Australia Zoo and also operate the nonprofit charity, Wildlife Warriors. There is nothing he enjoys more than heading out into the Crocoseum to participate in daily croc demonstrations, where he has the opportunity to share his love and knowledge of his favorite animal, crocodiles. Irwin's travels take him to every corner of the globe pursuing his work as an advocate for the environment. Whether that is catching up with the various global conservation projects that Wildlife Warriors supports, embarking on a photography expedition, or working on a new show to broaden his message.
About Mark Ballas: Mark Ballas is a dynamic, multihyphenate performer whose career spans television, Broadway, dance and music. He first captured national attention as one of the breakout professionals on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," where he became a mainstay for over a decade. An 11-time finalist and three-time champion, Mark earned a Primetime Emmy(R) Award nomination for Outstanding Choreography. Beyond the ballroom, he is a two-time World Choreography Award winner and five-time nominee, and served as choreographer for a Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime commercial, further cementing his reputation as one of the industry's most innovative creative forces. In 2025, Mark broadened his television horizons by joining the cast of Peacock's "The Traitors" U.S. Season 4, stepping into a high-stakes reality competition that tests strategy, alliances and social gameplay.
About Shirley Ballas: Shirley Ballas is a champion ballroom dancer, world-renowned dance teacher and adjudicator, bestselling author, and the head judge of BBC1's flagship show "Strictly Come Dancing." She is three-time British Open to the World Latin American champion, 10-time United States Latin American champion, and multiple-time British National champion. By 21, Shirley had won nearly every major title she competed in worldwide. She is the only person to have ever won the British Open to the World Latin American Championships in Blackpool with two different partners, and reached the finals an impressive 17 times. She remains the youngest-ever female to reach the British Open to the World Dance Championship finals. Shirley has been the recipient of three Carl Alan Awards, Teacher of the Year Award, The Variety Club Legends of Industry Award, and has been inducted into both the United States and Great Britain Dance Hall of Fame.
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