Dancing With the Stars Season 35: Some Cast Revealed, Spinoff Announced, and What to Expect

Hold onto your sequins and pray for your favorite spray-tan technician, because ABC isn’t letting the glitter settle just yet. Dancing With the Stars has officially been renewed for Season 35, proving that as long as there are C-list celebrities with a thirst for relevance and a pair of sensible heels, this show will never die.

Coming off a season that saw Robert Irwin take home the trophy, the network clearly realized the formula still works: mix one part genuine talent with three parts reality TV desperation, shake well, and watch the internet argue about overscoring. Here is everything we know about the upcoming season, the first confirmed contestants, and why your Monday nights are about to get a lot louder.

The First Lambs to the Slaughter: Meet the Season 35 Cast

We finally have the first two names for the Season 35 roster, and the producers are leaning heavily into the Bravo-verse and the international reality circuit.

First up is Maura Higgins. If you watched Love Island UK, you know Maura is essentially a human hurricane with an Irish accent. She’s already survived The Traitors, so a few backhanded compliments from the judges probably won’t faze her.

Following her is Ciara Miller from Summer House. Ciara is no stranger to being on camera, but trading the Hamptons for the ballroom is a bold move. Can she find a rhythm that doesn’t involve dodging wine tosses? Only time and a very patient pro partner will tell.

Familiar Faces and a New Spinoff

While the full celebrity lineup is still being kept under wraps, likely hidden in a basement at Disney, the hosting duo of Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough is locked in. It’s a relief, honestly; at least we know the teleprompter transitions will be smooth even when the footwork isn't.

Expect the usual suspects, Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli, to return to their pedestals. But the real news is the expansion of the "DWTS Universe." To bridge the gap until the Fall 2026 premiere, ABC is dropping Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro on July 13. Hosted by reigning champ Robert Irwin, it’s basically an audition process televised for our amusement, where 12 hopefuls fight for a pro contract.

What to Expect This Fall

Season 35 will continue its dual-broadcast strategy, airing live on ABC and Disney+, with the usual next-day recovery period on Hulu. Between the main show, the new spinoff, and the inaugural "DWTS Con" in Palm Springs, the network is working overtime to ensure we never have a moment where we aren't thinking about Argentine Tangos.

As we wait for the rest of the cast to be revealed, one thing is certain: Season 35 is shaping up to be another exercise in high-stakes ballroom drama. Whether the dancing is actually good remains to be seen, but the spectacle is guaranteed.

Do you think Maura Higgins has the footwork to go all the way, or is this just a pit stop on the reality TV carousel? Drop your casting wish list in the comments below and keep it locked to The TV Cave for every recap, ranking, and rhythmic disaster.