THE CRYSTAL MAZE Should Be Coming Soon To Nickelodeon

The Crystal Maze has begun casting for the new series (new to the U.S.) that is based on the UK hit game show and should begin production later this summer in Bristol, England. The show that was a British pop culture family friendly hit is loosely based on the escape room hype that has taken over the U.S. so it should be met with open arms, especially because it will be family entertainment.

Once The Crystal Maze premieres on Nickelodeon it should do so in a 10 one-hour episode format and show that collaboration and teamwork will be needed to win in a family friendly format. The overall game will have a team of family members competing in challenges where each successful game in The Crystal Maze will give them a “time crystal” that gives them five seconds in the Crystal Dome. In the final part of each episode the team will enter the Dome and try to grab a cash prize as it flies around in a countdown so those “time crystals” will be important.

The Crystal Maze has been successfully rebooted in many countries to it makes perfect sense for Nickelodeon to jump on with a family friendly version. We are looking forward to seeing how this turns out as we get ready to yell at the television as the teams compete.

NICKELODEON GREENLIGHTS THE CRYSTAL MAZE, ALL-NEW VERSION OF UK HIT GAME SHOW

Nickelodeon is bringing the legendary UK hit game show The Crystal Maze to the U.S. in an all-new version, co-produced by Bunim/Murray Productions (The Real World, The Challenge, Born This Way) and RDF Television (Secret Life of 4 Year Olds, Wife Swap, Shipwrecked), all under the Banijay Group. A longtime staple of British pop culture and family entertainment, The Crystal Maze–considered the forerunner to the current escape room craze–is a competitive challenge featuring a family team who must utilize physical and mental skills to successfully navigate an elaborate labyrinth of four giant and immersive themed zones.

Casting is underway on the new series (10 one-hour episodes) which begins production on the original set in Bristol, England, this summer. The show’s host, who guides the family through each challenge and adventure, and the series premiere, will be announced at a later date.

“As Nickelodeon embraces co-viewing opportunities for every member of the family, The Crystal Maze brings a new type of action game and storytelling to audiences with its escape room-style gameplay and emphasis on collaboration and teamwork to win,” said Rob Bagshaw, Executive Vice President, Nickelodeon Unscripted Content.

“The Crystal Maze has long served as a staple of the UK entertainment landscape and we could not be happier to be reinventing the show for a younger demo alongside our sister companies, RDF and Stephen David Entertainment. Acting as the first series for BMP’s Kids and Family Division, the show will build on our reputation in the competitive game space and we’ve no doubt by partnering with Nickelodeon, we can build a new audience for this brand in the U.S.,” said Gil Goldschein, Chief Executive Officer, Bunim/Murray Productions.

Nickelodeon’s version of The Crystal Maze will feature a team of family members tackling a range of challenges in zones collectively known as The Crystal Maze. Each successful game is rewarded with a ‘time crystal’ that equals five seconds in the centerpiece Crystal Dome. The adventure culminates in a spectacular finale, as the team enters the Dome to grab a cash prize as it flies around them during a dramatic clock countdown.

A current ratings smash in the UK, The Crystal Maze has been a beloved family and cult favorite since the mid ‘90s, with the current global popularity of the escape room phenomena reigniting interest further. The show was recently rebooted to great success with celebrity, charity and family seasons in UK, Australia and beyond.

The Crystal Maze is executive produced by Gil Goldschein and Maria Pepin from Bunim/Murray Productions, Neale Simpson from Fizz, part of RDF Television, and Stephen David from Stephen David Entertainment. Production of The Crystal Maze for Nickelodeon is overseen by Rob Bagshaw, Executive Vice President, Unscripted Content.