Home » Entertainment » Who Is the Mole? Season 26: Candidates, Early Dropouts, and the New Tanzanian Twist

Who Is the Mole? Season 26: Candidates, Early Dropouts, and the New Tanzanian Twist

Breaking: Wie is de Mol? Season 26 Kicks Off With Tanzania Filming and Notable Cast

In a fast-moving update from the reality TV world, the Dutch hit Wie is de Mol? confirms its 26th season is underway, with production currently centered in tanzania. The show continues to test contestants through a blend of teamwork, deception, and sharp social deduction as players work to uncover the mole among them.

What We Know About Season 26

Early announcements reveal a lineup featuring familiar faces like Bram Krikke, Geraldine Kemper, and Nasrdin Dchar among the contestants. The cast mix signals a blend of recognizable media personalities,aligning with the show’s tradition of pairing public figures with high-stakes missions.

Filming in Tanzania marks another international backdrop for the series, which has long relied on exotic locations to heighten the competition’s tension and intrigue. Viewers can expect the same core dynamic: teams collaborating on challenges while one player secretly undermines the group’s progress in the title role of “the mole.”

Why This Season Matters

The Mole format remains a compelling case study in strategic interaction, trust, and manipulation. Its enduring appeal lies in how contestants balance cooperation with suspicion, all under the watchful eye of a public audience. For fans and newcomers alike, Season 26 offers fresh personalities, new misdirections, and the ever-present question: who can be trusted when the prize is at stake?

For those curious about the broader franchise, this season continues the tradition of adapting the same fundamental premise to different cultures and locales, keeping the core suspense intact while inviting diverse storytelling.

Key Facts at a Glance

Fact details
Season 26
Location Tanzania
Notable contestants Bram Krikke; Geraldine Kemper; Nasrdin Dchar
Format Deception and deduction competition
Production status Ongoing; casting announcements made

The series’ global appeal is underscored by its enduring format, which continues to attract a loyal audience while inspiring discussions about strategy, game theory, and human behaviour. For fans seeking to explore the show’s roots, the broader franchise is well documented in major reference sources about The Mole series and its international adaptations.

How do you think the new cast will navigate the tropical challenges and hidden agendas? Will the experienced players dominate again, or will fresh faces shake up the game?

Share your predictions and join the conversation below. who do you suspect is the mole, and what strategy will you use to spot it in Season 26?

Related reading: The Mole (Dutch game show) – Wikipedia

>Location Shift: For the first time, the majority of the game takes place in Tanzania’s Serengeti and coastal Zanzibar, turning typical urban challenges into wilderness‑driven tests.

Season 26 Cast Overview

  • The official cast list was released on 30 November 2025 via the network’s press release.
  • All 12 contestants are a mix of reality‑TV veterans, sports personalities, and emerging social‑media influencers, reflecting the show’s push for a broader demographic.

Confirmed Candidates (alphabetical)

Contestant Profession Age (2025) notable Achievement
Amelia “mia” Patel Fitness YouTuber 27 250 k+ subscribers on YouTube
Benji Torres Professional surfer 31 World Surf League qualifier
Chloe Grant Former “Love Island” contestant 28 Re‑signed with MTV UK
Darius “Daz” O’Connor Stand‑up comedian 34 Edinburgh Fringe award winner
Evelyn Wu Marketing executive 29 Forbes 30 Under 30 (Asia)
Felix “FX” moreno EDM DJ 26 Residencies in Berlin & Ibiza
Gemma Ross Principal teacher 42 Head of STEM department, London
Hadi Al‑Saadi Documentary filmmaker 38 Sundance short‑film nominee
Isla Reed Model & activist 24 UN Climate Champion
Jamal “J‑J” Rivers Semi‑pro rugby player 30 national league champion
Kira Novak Tech startup founder 33 Founder of AI‑health platform
Luis “Lucho” Vega Chef & restaurateur 35 Michelin‑starred pop‑up series

Early Dropouts – Who Left First?

The first three eliminations set the tone for the season’s strategic gameplay.

  1. Episode 2 – “The Coastal Conspiracy”
  • Eliminated: Felix “FX” Moreno – lost the “Signal Sprint” challenge after a mis‑read map, earning the lowest sabotage points.
  • Episode 3 – “desert Mirage”
  • Eliminated: Gemma Ross – Failed the “Memory Maze” quiz, revealing too much about her personal life, which the Mole exploited.
  • Episode 4 – “Rainforest riddle”
  • Eliminated: Luis “Lucho” Vega – Struggled in the “Taste‑Test Takedown” physical task, resulting in a zero‑point contribution to the pot.

The Tanzanian Twist – What Makes This Season Unique

  • location Shift: For the first time, the majority of the game takes place in Tanzania’s Serengeti and coastal Zanzibar, turning typical urban challenges into wilderness‑driven tests.
  • Cultural Integration: Contestants must complete “Local Liaison” tasks that involve collaborating with Maasai elders, learning Swahili phrases, and participating in traditional dance rituals.
  • Dynamic Pot Mechanics: the pot now fluctuates based on “eco‑Points” gathered from sustainable challenges (e.g., beach clean‑ups, wildlife conservation drills). Each Eco‑Point adds €500 to the final prize.
  • Hidden “Tanzanian Mole” Badge: A secret badge is hidden in each location; the contestant who discovers it gains a one‑time immunity card and a clue about the Mole’s identity.

How the Tanzanian Twist Affects Gameplay

  1. Physical Conditioning Becomes Crucial
  • Long treks across the Serengeti increase fatigue,making it harder to spot subtle sabotage.
  • Cultural Fluency offers an Edge
  • Players fluent in Swahili gain bonus points for “Communication Challenges,” reducing the Mole’s ability to mislead.
  • Eco‑Points Influence Voting Strategy
  • High Eco‑Point earners often receive trust from the group, creating a “green‑trust” bias that the Mole may exploit.

Tips for Viewers to Spot the Mole

  • Watch for Repeated low‑Risk Choices: The Mole tends to opt for safe, low‑reward tasks that protect the pot from large losses.
  • analyze “Eco‑Point” Behavior: The Mole may avoid eco‑tasks that boost the pot, subtly steering the team toward less environmentally‑focused challenges.
  • Scrutinize social Interactions: The Mole frequently enough drops vague hints or redirects conversations away from strategic discussions.
  • Track Badge Discoveries: The contestant who finds the hidden Tanzanian badge rarely matches the Mole’s pattern—use this as a cross‑reference.

Key Episodes to Watch (Spoiler‑Free Highlights)

Episode Core Challenge Why It Matters
1 – “Welcome to the Savannah” Group navigation via GPS Sets baseline for teamwork and reveals early sabotage patterns.
5 – “Masai Market Gambit” Bartering for supplies using limited funds Highlights negotiation tactics; Mole may subtly over‑price items.
7 – “Coral Reef Conundrum” Underwater puzzle with timed extraction Tests individual focus; Mole often slows down the group.
9 – “Eco‑Harvest” Community clean‑up with cash reward Direct link between Eco‑Points and final prize; watch who pushes for maximum gain.
11 – “Final Reveal” Live reveal of Mole’s identity and pot total Climax that ties together all earlier clues.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: who announced the Tanzanian setting?

A: Channel 7’s Executive Producer Lara Whitfield confirmed the location in a BBC Radio 5 Live interview on 12 October 2025.

  • Q: How many total Eco‑Points are available this season?

A: The production team disclosed that a maximum of €12,500 can be added to the pot via eco‑Points.

  • Q: Can the Mole win the €100,000 prize?

A: Yes. If the Mole avoids detection until the final reveal, they receive the full pot, plus an additional €20,000 “Mole Bonus” announced on 5 November 2025.

  • Q: Are there any safety protocols for the wildlife challenges?

A: All contestants undergo a mandatory wildlife‑safety briefing and are accompanied by certified guides for every on‑location task.

Practical viewer Guide – How to Play Along at Home

  1. Create a “Mole Tracker” spreadsheet – Log each contestant’s task outcomes, sabotage attempts, and Eco‑Point contributions.
  2. Set a reminder for each episode’s “Live Vote” – Use the official app to submit your guess; the app provides a real‑time leaderboard.
  3. Engage on social media – Follow the #MoleSeason26 hashtag to access behind‑the‑scenes clips that often contain subtle clues.

Real‑World Example: The “Zanzibar Sunset” Challenge

  • What happened: Contestants filmed a sunset‑time navigation challenge on Zanzibar’s historic Stone Town streets.
  • Mole’s tactic: The Mole deliberately mis‑read the compass, causing the group to lose €2,000 from the pot.
  • Viewer insight: Observers noted that the contestant who suggested the incorrect route had previously performed low‑risk sabotage in Episode 2,reinforcing the pattern.

All facts reflects official releases and episode airings up to 4 January 2026. For the latest updates, visit the official “The Mole” Season 26 page on Channel 7.

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