Netflix has no shortage of unscripted dating content, from the wholesome docuseries Love on the Spectrum to the bizarre reality show Sexy Beasts. Somewhere in the mix (amid the more gimmicky
fare) is Too Hot to Handle, a competition series where hot singles are gathered for what they think will be a sexy vacation that turns out to be a challenge in chastity: If they can suppress their sexual urges and make meaningful, non-physical connections, they’ll go home with a whopping cash prize; but if they break the rules, they’ll jeopardize the loot for everyone.
THTH premiered in April 2020 to immense success, likely caused by its arrival in the height of pandemic lockdown, and launched some instant reality stars (remember Francesca and Harry?). Ted Sarandos even called it the streamer’s “biggest competition show ever.” Netflix was so confident in the series’s potential that it renewed THTH for two more seasons. The news broke in January 2021 when filming was already months underway in Turks and Caicos.
Over a year later, the third season of THTH finally arrived on Jan. 19, with contestants from the U.S., U.K., South Africa, and Australia competing for a $200,000 prize. (It’s already ranking high in Netflix’s Top 10 list after its premiere weekend). But is this the last we’ll see of the ridiculous dating show, or will more singles get tortured by this abstinent gambit in the future? Here’s what we know.
Was Too Hot to Handle renewed for a fourth season?
Netflix has not yet confirmed whether Too Hot to Handle will get a season 4, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen. After all, season 1 viewers waited nine months before seasons 2 and 3 were announced. At the time of the renewal, Netflix’s VP of unscripted and documentary series Brandon Riegg told Variety, “Netflix members around the world fell in love with the hilarious antics of season one, and now fans won’t have to wait long to see our new contestants try (and fail) to follow Lana’s strict rules with plenty of twists and surprises along the way.”
If the response was just as strong for season 3, perhaps there could be hope for more episodes.