The German version marks the format’s second international adaptation, following an earlier commission by Dutch public broadcaster BNNVARA.
Passion Distribution has announced a new international adaptation of its social experiment format Virgin Island, which has been commissioned in Germany by RTL Studios for streaming platform RTL+.
The production recently wrapped filming at a beachfront location in Mexico and follows ten young men and women as they confront their intimacy issues, staying true to the original format created by Double Act for Channel 4 in the UK.
The German version marks the format’s second international adaptation, following an earlier commission by Dutch public broadcaster BNNVARA. Passion Distribution also revealed that several additional international versions are currently in development and will be announced in due course.
The announcement follows the format’s strong performance in the UK, where its first two seasons have become one of Channel 4’s biggest recent factual entertainment successes.
According to Passion Distribution, the first season delivered the broadcaster’s biggest streaming launch ever across any genre and achieved Channel 4’s highest consolidated audience share among 16-34-year-olds since modern records began, performing four times above the channel’s benchmark for the demographic.
Premiering in May 2026, the second season further built on that success, increasing its 16-34 audience by 11% year over year and becoming the most-watched programme of the month among that audience across all UK commercial broadcasters, outperforming titles such as Gogglebox, The Great Pottery Throw Down and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
The format has also earned significant industry recognition, winning the 2026 Broadcast Award for Best Factual Entertainment Programme and the 2025 National Reality TV Award for Best Social Experiment Show. It has also received nominations for both the BAFTA TV Awards and the Grierson Awards.
“It is a privilege to be working with RTL on the German version of Virgin Island, and I wish them every success,” said Rob Davis, executive producer at Double Act. “The format’s growing international appeal reflects the fact that intimacy and connection are defining issues for many young people today. Virgin Island proves these stories can be told with warmth, humour and authenticity, creating television that is both emotionally engaging and culturally relevant.”
Nick Tanner, Director of Sales and Co-Productions at Passion Distribution, added: “Virgin Island is a tonic for TV social experiments and has proven its ability to engage young audiences across both streaming and linear television. The German adaptation will be a bold, emotional and enthralling edition.”
