Big Brother House Gets Orwellian Makeover Ahead of ITV Return

Big Brother returns to ITV2 and ITVX tonight with its biggest launch yet, as the reality series unveils an eye-catching makeover inspired by its Orwellian roots.

Entering the house, visitors are greeted by the smell of fresh paint and a sea of eyeballs filling every shelf and surface. Like the celebrity series earlier this year, the set feels claustrophobic, bathed in bright lights and bold colors that leave little room for housemates to find time alone. The eye motif is hard to miss, with eyes dotting shelves and even the entrance corridor, reinforcing the sense that Big Brother is watching every move. It’s a striking backdrop as the doors prepare to welcome a new batch of housemates.

The series is set to be the longest since ITV revived the show in 2023, with housemates spending up to seven weeks locked away from the outside world. Ahead of the launch night, producers have teased a series packed with twists, and questions remain about how many housemates will move in on opening night. The 25th year is being pitched as the most omnipresent yet, with the walls literally watched by cameras and the roof aglow with ceaseless light.

At least 90 cameras are said to keep tabs on every move inside the house, heightening the sense of surveillance that has defined the franchise. The dining table, too, is a nod to the show’s birthday—covered with 25 eyeballs—though how much dinner will be eaten will depend on the results of weekly shopping tasks. The kitchen remains stocked with standard mod cons, but food dynamics will hinge on the household’s choices and challenges.

The living spaces emphasize togetherness and competition alike. The bedroom area sports teal and pink hues and houses three double beds, meaning some housemates will be sharing rooms from the outset. The bathroom diverges from the white marble seen in newer homes, opting instead for primary colors that create a stark, almost retro vibe. Outside, the garden offers a small respite and fresh air, while the hot tub is back in play, its use likely to influence budding romances and rivalries once again. The snug returns as a private corner for gossip or, in some cases, potential punishment for discussing nominations. And the Diary Room remains a central fixture, featuring a rounder, firmer seat as the eyes keep watch on whoever speaks to Big Brother.

As with the celebrity edition, the format promises twists, and the horizon is crowded with questions about which housemate will emerge as the winner after seven weeks and claim the £100,000 prize. The set’s dramatic makeover has already sparked chatter among fans and critics about how the new look will shape on-screen dynamics.

With the return scheduled for tonight at 9 p.m. on ITV2 and ITVX, viewers will get their first real sense of how the house feels—and how the 25th year of Big Brother will unfold under its most watchful gaze yet.