Finding the right chemistry for ITV’s Love Island is a labour of love. Matthew Bell goes behind the scenes
Dating shows are 10 a penny on television but Love Island stands apart, as popular now as when it first hit our screens in 2015.
Ahead of this summer’s 12th series, the team who shape the show for Lifted Entertainment (which is part of ITV Studios) revealed at an RTS Futures event how they keep the ITV reality juggernaut on the road.
“There are lots of imitations,” said executive producer Lewis Evans, who has worked on the show since the very first series. “It takes so much to pull off an authentic, layered reality show as glossy as Love Island.”
The casting is key, he stressed. “We spend a huge amount of time casting – months finding the right people. [The show] is a snapshot of how young people are interacting and dating.”
Love Island has evolved over a decade, with innovations such as the explosive movie nights, where the contestants watch themselves bitching about each other. “But we’re trying to keep it recognisable as well,” added Evans.
For this summer’s series, the casting producers have met 300 wannabe islanders in person, selected from an initial haul of 80,000 or so applications.
Casting is also targeted, which casting producer Sam Carr, who started on series six, said is hugely important. “We look for people online and in news articles; we do a lot of street casting as well. The volume of people [involved] sets Love Island apart from other reality shows.”
Lois Perry started as a runner on series seven, was promoted to a junior researcher and is now a casting assistant producer. “No two days are ever the same.
I do a lot of Zoom auditions, working alongside Sam. I’ve been cutting casting tapes this season, which has been fun.”
What is she looking for in an islander? “A great personality is key. They’ve got to be able to hold a conversation, have some good stories and be funny.”
Coco Jackson started as a runner on the first series and has worked her way up to a twin role: senior casting producer and gallery series producer. She said: “Without the cast, there is no show,” adding that working in casting is “a great way to get into telly. It has really helped me develop my skills, learning how to speak to people and understand the different elements that make up the show.”
Henry Byrne, a senior gallery producer on the forthcoming series, discussed his previous role of edit producer: alongside an editor, he “worked through the footage, pulling together the best bits for what [viewers] ultimately see on TV. Editors have the technical and storytelling skills to transform the footage into a polished show.”
Producing Love Island is a high-pressure job that works on the basis of a 24-hour turnaround, explained Byrne. “What happens today, you’ll see tomorrow night – that’s different to most other shows.
“It’s a massive machine, with lots of people involved in making it happen.”
Your place in the crew
Coco Jackson: ‘Work experience [is key] – get your foot in the door and network with people. You never know when one [connection] could springboard you into your next opportunity.’
Lois Perry: ‘Take every opportunity you can as a runner and don’t be disheartened when you don’t get a job. Try every department, and shadow people if you can.’
Henry Byrne: ‘If you are interested in casting, keep a note of people you come across who you feel could be good for a TV show.’
Sam Carr: ‘Be proactive and present; ask questions and work hard – hard work pays off; it doesn’t go unnoticed. Try different shows, as well, to work out what you want to do in the long-term.’
Lewis Evans: ‘Slow and steady wins the race – gain experience and an understanding of the role you’re doing. You’ll know when you’re ready.’
