Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro could soon trade Brisbane for Hollywood. The breakout reality competition is reportedly being positioned for a Los Angeles production move, a development that could make Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro an important test case for California’s expanded incentives for unscripted television.
According to reports, BBC Studios is exploring a California-based production plan for a possible second season after the first installment was filmed in Australia. While the series has not officially been renewed, the filing for a California tax credit suggests serious momentum behind efforts to bring the spinoff closer to its flagship franchise.
Why Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro could move to Los Angeles
The biggest reason behind the proposed relocation appears to be a mix of logistics, franchise alignment, and state incentives. Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro is directly connected to ABC’s long-running Dancing with the Stars, which has filmed all of its seasons in Los Angeles since launching in 2005. Moving the spinoff to California would place it in the same production ecosystem as the main series.
That matters for more than branding. A Los Angeles base could simplify talent access, rehearsal planning, set coordination, and cross-show integration, especially because the competition’s prize is a professional dancer slot on the parent show.
BBC Studios has reportedly entered phase two of the California tax credit application process. If approved, the incentive would help shape the budget for a second season before formal talks continue with ABC.
What made season one stand out
The first season of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro introduced 12 rising professional dancers living together and competing in an audition-style format for a coveted place on season 35 of Dancing with the Stars. The format blended performance pressure, reality TV dynamics, and career-launch stakes in a way that appealed to both dance fans and broader summer audiences.
The series was hosted by Robert Irwin and judged by Mark Ballas and Shirley Ballas, giving the show credibility across both the American and British ballroom worlds. Adele Zaikman ultimately won the competition and advanced into the larger franchise spotlight.
Its debut numbers were a strong signal that the concept resonated:
- 5.3 million viewers across three days on ABC, Disney+ and Hulu
- ABC’s strongest summer series debut since July 2020
- Clear crossover appeal between competition TV and franchise fans
How California tax credits changed the equation
The possible move for Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro comes at a significant moment for the state’s entertainment economy. In 2025, California expanded its incentive structure under the California Film & Television Jobs Act to include certain unscripted productions for the first time.
That change is especially important because reality and competition shows have increasingly left Los Angeles for lower-cost states and countries. The revised rules now allow large-scale competition series to qualify, making Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro a strong candidate if regulators agree it fits the program’s criteria.
If approved, the series would reportedly become only the second unscripted show to receive the credit under the updated system. That would make the production move notable not just for fans of the franchise, but for the broader non-fiction TV industry.
Why this matters for LA’s production sector
Los Angeles has been under pressure as major television productions continue to relocate. Big entertainment brands have increasingly chased lower production costs elsewhere, with reality television among the hardest-hit categories.
Recent industry data has painted a troubling picture:
- On-location production in LA dropped 13% year over year
- Reality TV production fell 40% in the second quarter
- Several marquee unscripted series have explored or confirmed moves out of California
Against that backdrop, a Los Angeles return for Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro would be more than a routine relocation. It would signal that California’s new unscripted incentives may finally be competitive enough to keep some large-format shows in the region.
From Brisbane success to Hollywood ambition
Season one was filmed in Brisbane, largely at the Thomas Dixon Centre, home of the Queensland Ballet. By all accounts, the production had a meaningful local impact. It employed around 110 cast and crew members and contributed an estimated A$7.2 million to the regional economy.
That success makes the proposed move more interesting. Australia provided the infrastructure, workforce, and cost base to launch the format. But as the series matures, the strategic value of bringing Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro to the same city as its parent show may now outweigh the benefits of keeping it overseas.
There is also a symbolic element at play. Because the winner transitions into the flagship American series, producing the spinoff in Los Angeles would make the journey feel more immediate and more connected to the franchise’s core identity.
What still needs to happen
Despite the optimism, several steps remain before the move becomes official:
- The show still needs a formal season two renewal
- The California tax credit application must be approved
- BBC Studios and ABC would need to finalize budgeting and scheduling
- Production planning would have to align with the main franchise calendar
So while the signs are positive, fans should view the move as a strong possibility rather than a confirmed outcome.
What’s next for Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro?
For now, Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro sits at the intersection of franchise growth and industry economics. It proved there is audience demand for a fresh, talent-discovery extension of the ballroom brand. Now the next question is whether California can successfully lure that momentum back to Los Angeles.
If the relocation happens, it could strengthen the Dancing with the Stars universe, support local crew jobs, and give California a much-needed unscripted win. The bigger takeaway is clear: Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro may become one of the most closely watched reality-TV production decisions of the coming season.
Read more:
- More entertainment and culture features at Luxe Digest
- Latest media and trending stories at Daily Digest
