I Hope 'Beyond the Villa' Can Capture the Magic of 'Love Island USA' Season 6

Last summer, Love Island USA Season 6 was a sensation. The series smashed several streaming records, created a massive moment in pop culture, and introduced a cast of breakout stars who stole the spotlight. Though the season ended perfectly, no one was ready for it to be over. And, fortunately for us, it doesn’t have to be! On April 17, Peacock announced the spin-off show Love Island: Beyond the Villa, which is set to premiere this summer and will follow some of the cast members of Season 6. Not to be the least bit dramatic, but this is an answered prayer, a wish granted, a dream realized. I just hope it can live up to the Love Island Season 6 legacy, which is no small task.

Love Island audiences have long hoped for a spin-off so they could spend more time with their favorite islanders, and now, it’s finally on the way. The show is tentatively titled Love Island: Beyond the Villa and will document the lives of several Season 6 cast members. Beloved best friends Serena Paige, Leah Kateb, and JaNa Craig, better known as PPG, have been confirmed for the spin-off, as well as their boyfriends Kordell Beckham, Miguel Harichi, and Kenny Rodriguez. The cast will also include Aaron Evans, Kaylor Martin, Olivia Walker, and Kendall Washington, and appearances will be made by others who have yet to be announced.

Will Rob Skip the Spin-off?

Notably missing from releases about the spin-off is snake wrangler Rob Rausch, a controversial cast member who first appeared briefly in Casa Amor on Love Island USA Season 5 and then returned to take center stage in Season 6. Rob has previously stated that he’s not particularly interested in living in the public eye and that the greatest lesson he learned on Love Island was never to trust a television producer, so it’s unlikely he’ll be part of the cast. It’s also possible that there’s some drama Rob wishes to avoid; though he left the show on good terms with most of his cast mates, his intense connection with Leah led to some tension post-show when she left the villa in a relationship with Miguel. Let’s hope he’ll at least briefly stop by Beyond the Villa, even if only as a guest star.