Extracted
Extracted is an American reality competition television series that premiered on Fox on February 10, 2025, featuring twelve untrained amateur survivalists dropped into the harsh Canadian wilderness to test their endurance against extreme weather, perilous terrain, and wildlife threats.[1][2] The show's innovative format centers on a unique twist: while the contestants battle for a $250,000 grand prize through grueling survival challenges, their family members or close loved ones monitor the action via live feeds from a remote headquarters and hold the power to "extract" them—voluntarily pulling participants out of the competition if they deem the risks too high.[3][4] Filmed using advanced technology to capture raw, unscripted drama in real-time, Extracted emphasizes emotional stakes alongside physical trials, blending survival instincts with familial decision-making.[5] Upon its debut, the series achieved the highest ratings for an unscripted show premiere on Fox in over a year, drawing praise for its intense authenticity and high-stakes interpersonal dynamics.[6] Due to its strong performance, Fox renewed Extracted for a second season in May 2025, solidifying its place in the network's lineup of adventure reality programming.[4]Format
Contestants and teams
Extracted features 12 teams, each comprising one amateur survivalist who competes alone in the Canadian wilderness and two companions—family members or close friends—who monitor their progress from a central headquarters and hold the power to "extract" them if deemed necessary. This unique structure emphasizes trust and interpersonal bonds, as the companions must balance concern for their loved one's well-being with the drive to secure the $250,000 prize. The contestants, drawn from diverse backgrounds across the United States, range in age from 18 to 56 and include professionals such as teachers, mechanics, and wellness coaches, all lacking formal survival training.[7][8] The teams are as follows:- Anthony Banks, 18, a model from Dallas, Texas, and New York City, accompanied by his parents, Tony (a former NFL quarterback) and Yolanda; the team aimed to demonstrate Anthony's independence despite his youth.[7][8]
- Ashley, 38, a fourth-grade teacher from Granbury, Texas, with her father-in-law Scott and fiancé Austin; their dynamic focused on Ashley proving her outdoor capabilities to her future family.[7][8]
- Davina Christy, 42, a hairstylist and clown from Jacksonville, Florida, supported by her stepdaughter Tori and sister Devin; the group sought to fulfill Davina's long-held survival bucket list while highlighting family resilience.[7][8]
- Haley Lindell, 26, a white-water river guide from Shoreham, New York, joined by friends Karly Sauvé and Natalie Michaels; their close-knit friendship fostered a strategy centered on unwavering mutual trust.[7][8][9]
- Jake Denison, 35, a mortgage loan officer from Meridian, Idaho, with brothers Austin Legg and Justin Denison; the siblings' competitive rapport drove a persistent approach to overcoming personal doubts.[7][8][10]
- Jakoben Thomas, 25, an off-road event promoter from McComb, Mississippi, accompanied by uncle Terrance and cousin David; their strategy emphasized outsmarting rivals through calculated risks.[7][8]
- Meagan, 30, a wellness coach from Mandeville, Louisiana, with best friend Abby and father Gerrad; the team relied on Meagan's confidence in enduring harsh conditions.[7][8]
- Robyn, 56, a personal assistant from Las Vegas, Nevada, supported by daughter Faith and husband Lance; their dynamic leveraged Robyn's archery skills and outdoor enthusiasm.[7][8]
- Rose, 30, a registered dietitian and former football player from Denver, Colorado, with cousin Kelsey and aunt Laura; the relatives drew on Rose's competitive athletic background for motivation.[7][8]
- Ryan Hales, 28, a diesel mechanic from Lincolnton, North Carolina, joined by parents Roger and Candance; the family focused on helping Ryan conquer his fear of isolation in the woods.[7][8]
- Ryan Witherow, 41, an eBay reseller from Conifer, Colorado, with wife Sarah and brother Sean; their bond highlighted Ryan's resilient, no-quit attitude.[7][8]
- Woody Kaminer, 50, a retired law enforcement officer from Grovetown, Georgia, accompanied by son Blake and nephew Collin; the team aimed to validate Woody's capabilities under pressure.[7][8]
Challenges and survival mechanics
In the Canadian wilderness, contestants in Extracted face rigorous daily survival requirements to endure harsh environmental conditions, including foraging for edible plants and small game, constructing shelters from natural materials like branches and tarps, starting fires using primitive methods such as friction or flint, and navigating rugged terrain with minimal tools to avoid designated out-of-bounds areas.[14] These tasks demand constant vigilance against cold temperatures, wildlife threats, and resource scarcity, with each individual competitor starting with only basic clothing like a waterproof jacket and thermal layer to promote self-reliance.[5] A key mechanic involves drone-delivered packages coordinated by each competitor's two companions—friends or family members stationed at a nearby headquarters—who win resources through their own competitions and decide what to send, such as tools, food rations, or bedding, within strict crate size limits to curb dependency on external aid.[14][5] These deliveries occur periodically, often every few days or after companion challenges, providing critical but limited support like knives or fire starters, while biometric data from wearables informs companions' choices without allowing direct communication.[14] The competition features diverse challenges that test competitors' limits, including physical endurance events such as long-distance treks or obstacle courses, skill-based puzzles requiring problem-solving under time pressure, and indirect team coordination tasks where companions negotiate alliances at headquarters to secure advantages for their survivalist.[14] These occur in isolated camps within the wilderness setting, emphasizing both individual resilience and the strategic interplay between competitors and their support teams. The prize structure centers on a $250,000 grand prize awarded to the last surviving team, whose competitor outlasts all others without extraction by companions or medical removal, incentivizing prolonged endurance amid escalating hardships.[14][5]Elimination process
The elimination process in Extracted centers on the extraction of survivalists from the Canadian wilderness, a decision primarily driven by their family teams at headquarters (HQ), who monitor performance through 24/7 live camera feeds and data from wearable devices tracking vital signs and activity. Weekly risk evaluations occur as part of the episode structure, where teams are deemed "at risk" based on survival performance metrics, including resource management (such as fire-building and shelter construction), challenge completion rates, and indicators of physical or mental strain like hypothermia risks or dehydration levels.[14][15] Elimination criteria integrate assessments by survival expert Megan Hine, who serves as Head of Extraction and evaluates on-site conditions, with companion input from family members at HQ, who receive periodic updates and resource allocation packages delivered via drone to aid their decision-making. The final call rests with the family pressing an "Extract" button if they believe their survivalist cannot continue, leading to removal of the entire family team from the competition.[14][16][15] Once extracted, Megan Hine arrives via yellow helicopter or boat to retrieve the contestant, emphasizing safety protocols amid extreme conditions. This process ensures eliminations reflect both objective performance data and subjective family judgments on endurance.[14]| Episode | Teams Safe | Teams at Risk | Teams Eliminated | Teams Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 11 |
| 2 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 10 |
| 3 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| 4 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| 5 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 6 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| 7 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 9 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 10 | 2 | 0 | 1 (Runner-up) | 1 (Winner) |
Production
Development and announcement
The development of Extracted began as a collaboration between B17 Entertainment and Balboa Productions, with Sylvester Stallone serving as a key executive producer alongside Rhett Bachner, Brien Meagher, Braden Aftergood, Kourosh Taj, Lauren Taylor Harding, Dan Bree, and Rob Buchta.[20] The concept originated from Stallone's vision to innovate on traditional solo survival formats by incorporating team dynamics, where each amateur survivalist is paired with two companions—friends or family members—who observe remotely and provide strategic aid through periodic survival package selections, adding emotional and relational tension to the competition.[21][22] This approach aimed to blend family voyeurism with high-stakes wilderness challenges, differentiating it from shows like Survivor by emphasizing interpersonal bonds under duress.[23] Fox greenlit the series during its upfronts on May 13, 2024, positioning Extracted as a groundbreaking survival competition that integrates advanced technology, including drone deliveries for remote aid and supply drops to contestants in remote wilderness settings.[24][23] The production faced initial logistical hurdles, such as coordinating 176 cameras—including 80 robotic units—in the rugged Canadian wilderness west of Whistler, British Columbia, to capture the isolation and drone-assisted elements without compromising safety or authenticity.[25] Filming commenced in mid-2024 to align with the planned premiere.[26] The public reveal included the premiere date announcement on December 2, 2024, with a trailer highlighting the drone integration and companion mechanics as core innovations.[27] Following its strong debut performance on February 10, 2025—the highest-rated unscripted premiere on Fox in over a year— the network renewed Extracted for a second season on May 10, 2025.[4][28]Casting and contestant selection
The casting process for Extracted began with a nationwide open call for amateur survivalists lacking professional experience in outdoor competitions or survival training, targeting everyday individuals eager to test their limits in the wilderness. Applications were submitted online through FOX's casting portal and partnered production companies like Mystic Art Pictures, emphasizing participants aged 18 and older with valid passports for international filming. From hundreds of applicants, producers selected 12 contestants, focusing on creating balanced teams that highlighted diverse life experiences to enhance the show's social dynamics and viewer relatability.[29][30][7] Selection involved rigorous vetting, including psychological evaluations to gauge team compatibility and mental resilience, as the format relies heavily on interpersonal trust between contestants and their off-site companions—typically two family members or close friends who influence survival decisions from headquarters. Basic fitness assessments ensured participants could endure physical strains without prior expertise, while diversity criteria prioritized a mix of urban and rural backgrounds, genders, ages (ranging from 18 to 56), and occupations such as teachers, models, and wellness coaches to foster varied strategies and conflicts. Notable challenges arose in pairing applicants for optimal balance, with producers noting difficulties in matching personalities that could withstand the psychological warfare of supply decisions and eliminations.[31][7][14] To maintain immersion in the raw survival narrative, Extracted features no on-screen host, instead relying on narration by Brian Lee to guide viewers through the contestants' ordeals and strategic twists without direct intervention. This approach underscores the production's commitment to authenticity, allowing the focus to remain on the participants' unfiltered experiences.Filming locations and logistics
The primary filming location for Extracted was the remote wilderness areas surrounding Madeley Lake within the Whistler Olympic Park in British Columbia, Canada. This site was selected for its diverse terrain, encompassing dense forests, rugged mountains, and accessible water bodies that provided a challenging yet controllable environment for the survival challenges. The backcountry west of Whistler offered natural isolation while allowing proximity to production support facilities.[32][33] Principal photography occurred over approximately six to eight weeks in late 2024, commencing in mid-summer to capture varying seasonal conditions before wrapping in the fall. Production crews managed an extensive array of 176 cameras, including 80 robotic units dispersed across a one-mile-wide and half-mile-deep survival zone, supplemented by handheld devices such as iPhones for flexible coverage. Drone operations were integrated to monitor contestant movements from above, while safety protocols emphasized wildlife encounters, particularly with bears and bobcats, through pre-filming training on avoidance techniques and emergency signaling.[26][25] Logistical challenges included frequent weather delays due to the region's cold, wet conditions, which complicated outdoor shoots and required adaptive scheduling. Medical evacuations were facilitated by a three-minute helicopter response from the on-site headquarters, ensuring rapid intervention for injuries or hypothermia risks. To minimize environmental impact, the production adhered to eco-friendly practices, such as limiting crew footprints, using biodegradable materials, and coordinating with local authorities to protect habitats and wildlife.[25][34] The technical setup prioritized authentic, unscripted footage through strategically placed cameras that captured contestant interactions without direct interference. Wireless transmission systems enabled real-time feeds from the wilderness to the production headquarters in Midtown Manhattan, allowing companions to make extraction decisions based on live observations, though an initial five-minute delay was later adjusted for immediacy. This infrastructure supported the show's hybrid format, blending remote survival with studio-based strategy sessions.[25][26]Broadcast
Premiere and airing schedule
Extracted premiered on Fox on February 10, 2025, airing a premiere episode that introduced the contestants and the survival challenges in the Canadian wilderness.[1] The debut episode, titled "Survive the Night," set the stage for the season's high-stakes competition format.[35] The series followed a weekly airing schedule from February to April 2025, consisting of 10 episodes broadcast on Mondays at 8:00 PM ET/PT.[36] Episodes maintained a consistent runtime of approximately 45 minutes, allowing for immersive coverage of the survival mechanics and team dynamics without commercial interruptions affecting the core narrative flow.[37] Due to a scheduling delay for episode 6, originally planned for March 17, 2025, but aired on March 24 because of competing network programming, the season featured a one-week break.[38] This adjustment shifted subsequent episodes, culminating in the season finale on April 21, 2025, where the final eliminations and winner announcement occurred.[39] This progression kept viewers engaged through escalating challenges and family interventions.[3] Following the premiere, minor scheduling shifts occurred due to competing programming on Fox's lineup.[38] These adjustments ensured the show maintained its prime-time positioning amid network priorities.Viewership and ratings
Extracted's debut episode on February 10, 2025, drew 1.91 million live viewers, marking the series' highest audience of the season, while subsequent episodes ranged as low as 1.22 million in later installments, with an overall average of 1.48 million live viewers per episode across its 10-episode run.[40][41] The program exhibited strong appeal among the 18-49 demographic, a key advertising metric for reality television, with Nielsen live ratings fluctuating between 0.18 and 0.38 points throughout the season and averaging 0.23.[42][43] DVR recordings and on-demand streaming contributed a notable 20-30% uplift to total viewership, pushing episode totals to as high as 2.37 million when including these delayed metrics, with much of the additional engagement occurring via Hulu the day after airings.[40][44] In its premiere week, Extracted outperformed established reality competitors like Survivor in the 18-49 demo relative to other new unscripted launches on Fox, though later episodes contended with audience fragmentation from concurrent sports programming such as NBA games.[44][45]International distribution
Following its U.S. premiere on Fox, Extracted quickly expanded to international audiences through broadcast and streaming deals. In Canada, where the series was filmed in the wilderness, it aired simultaneously on CTV starting February 10, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, allowing local viewers access to the same episodes as their American counterparts.[46] The series became available on streaming platforms outside the U.S. shortly after launch. By mid-2025, Extracted was offered on Disney+ in select international regions, including parts of Europe and Latin America, providing on-demand access to all episodes for subscribers.[47] In English-speaking markets like the UK and Australia, episodes streamed via platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, though availability required purchase or rental in some cases due to regional licensing.[48] As a fresh entry in the survival competition genre, Extracted has sparked interest in markets with strong appetites for wilderness-themed programming, such as Scandinavia, where similar formats like Alone have thrived; however, no localized adaptations have been confirmed as of late 2025.[6]Reception
Critical response
Extracted received early positive reviews from critics for its first season, with reviews on Rotten Tomatoes praising the innovative family dynamics for adding tension and humanity to the survival format. On Metacritic, early reviews highlighted the show's fresh approach to the survival genre alongside some concerns over narrative predictability.[49] Key reviews emphasized the show's emotional depth through the family companion angle, with Andy Dehnart of Reality Blurred lauding how real-time family reactions at headquarters added captivating layers of tension and humanity to the competition.[50] Similarly, Dustin Rowles in Pajiba praised the production values, comparing the high-quality cinematography and setup—featuring more cameras than a Super Bowl broadcast—to those of premium documentary series, which enhanced the authentic wilderness immersion.[51][52] Critics frequently highlighted strengths such as the fresh take on the survival genre by incorporating family decision-making into eliminations, creating a psychological experiment that delved into interpersonal dynamics and cooperation.[51] The authentic immersion in the Canadian wilderness was also commended, with drone and robotic cameras providing unprecedented access to contestants' struggles, blending voyeurism with raw survival challenges.[50][23] However, some reviewers found the eliminations predictable, as family interventions often followed obvious patterns of distress without sufficient surprises.[53] As of November 2025, critics noted incomplete coverage of mental health impacts on participants, with the series touching on stress but lacking deeper exploration of long-term effects post-extraction.[50]Audience feedback and controversies
Audience feedback for Extracted has been mixed, with viewers appreciating the emotional tension and family involvement in the survival challenges while criticizing the show's format for lacking depth in skill-based competition. On IMDb, the series holds a 6.6/10 rating based on over 580 user votes, reflecting praise for the high-stakes drama but complaints that it feels more like contrived entertainment than genuine survival testing.[3] Social media platforms saw significant engagement, with TikTok videos recapping key moments and fan reactions garnering thousands of likes and comments during episode airings, though some users dismissed the show as "fake" due to perceived scripted elements in family decisions.[54] [55] Controversies surrounding Extracted primarily revolve around ethical concerns over the exploitation of family dynamics and participant well-being in a high-pressure wilderness setting. Viewers and online discussions highlighted instances where families chose to "extract" contestants, such as Ryan's emotional removal by relatives, sparking debates about the psychological toll of forcing loved ones to watch suffering for entertainment value.[56] Critics argued that the format manipulates relationships, potentially creating lasting rifts, as noted in analyses describing the show as a "hot mess" that destroys families for meager prizes.[57] Broader ethical issues in reality TV production, including consent and emotional manipulation, were amplified in relation to Extracted, with calls for better safeguards against participant exploitation in survival formats.[58] [59] Fan engagement has been robust, fostering online communities where viewers dissect episodes and share insights. Dedicated Facebook groups like "Extracted TV Show - Fan Discussion" serve as hubs for theorizing about contestant strategies and family choices, with posts defending participants' energy conservation tactics amid starvation challenges.[60] Reddit threads in subreddits such as r/television feature lively debates on character arcs, including concerns for contestants like Ashley and her partner's dynamics, while TikTok content from official accounts amplifies user-generated highlights to build community buzz.[61] Positive aspects, such as LGBTQ+ representation through contestants like Rose Hyak, have also spurred supportive discussions on inclusivity in reality TV.[62]Renewal and future seasons
In May 2025, Fox renewed Extracted for a second season following the strong debut performance of its first season, which marked the network's highest-rated unscripted series premiere in nearly a year.[4][63] The renewal was driven by the show's cost-effective production model, co-produced by Fox Entertainment with minimal on-site crew requirements, and its ability to outperform certain scripted series despite averaging a 0.23 rating and 1.48 million viewers per episode in season one.[42] Season two is scheduled to premiere on January 26, 2026, airing Mondays at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT, maintaining the core format of 12 amateur survivalists competing in the harsh Canadian wilderness while their families monitor via live feed and decide on resource deliveries or extractions.[64][42] No changes to the competition structure, such as additional teams or challenges, have been announced, with the grand prize remaining at $250,000 for the last contestant standing.[42] As of November 2025, casting for season two remains ongoing through open calls targeting dynamic family teams of at least three members, with applications accepted via production company MysticArt Pictures.[30][65] The show's host, survival expert Megan Hine, has not been confirmed to step away, and no changes in hosting or key production roles have been reported.[66]Episodes
Season 1 overview
The first season of Extracted, which aired from February 10 to April 21, 2025, comprises 10 episodes that trace the journey of 12 amateur survivalists—each supported by a team of family or friends at headquarters—from their initial drop into the remote Canadian wilderness to the climactic finale. Filmed in the fall of 2024 in the harsh terrain west of Whistler, British Columbia, the season captures the contestants' immersion in extreme conditions, including freezing temperatures and limited resources, while their families observe and intervene from a centralized headquarters.[67][26][27] Narratively, the season unfolds in phases, beginning with survivalist introductions and rapid adaptation to isolation, where they must construct basic shelters and secure initial supplies amid unpredictable weather. As the competition advances into mid-season, emphasis shifts to the building of alliances—both tentative partnerships among the survivalists in the field and strategic negotiations among families at headquarters to allocate vital resources like food and tools. The latter episodes escalate to grueling tests of endurance, incorporating physical challenges and high-stakes decisions that heighten the pressure on remaining teams.[67][68][25] Central themes revolve around the dichotomy of isolation versus remote support, as survivalists endure solitude in the wild while relying on family-guided interventions through live feeds and extraction options. Personal growth emerges as a recurring motif, with contestants demonstrating resilience and self-discovery amid adversity, from mastering survival skills to confronting emotional vulnerabilities exposed by the format.[1][5] The season concludes with a series of eliminations driven by challenge outcomes and family extractions, ultimately crowning Haley Lindell of Team Haley—supported at headquarters by Karly Sauve and Natalie Michaels—as the winner of the $250,000 prize, achieved without ties or revotes in any elimination round.[12][11]Episode summaries
Episode 1: Survive the Night (February 10, 2025)The season premiered with the arrival of 12 survivalists in the remote Canadian wilderness, each supported by their families monitoring from headquarters (HQ). The contestants quickly set up initial shelters and conducted first risk assessments to evaluate immediate threats like weather and terrain, establishing the high-stakes survival format where families could influence outcomes through competitions for supply drops.[69][70] The episode drew 1.91 million total viewers.[41] Episode 2: Gimme Shelter (February 17, 2025)
Families at HQ competed in challenges to earn the power to send life-saving supplies to their loved ones in the wild, while survivalists attempted a perilous lake crossing to retrieve potential drops, heightening extraction risks for underperformers. Emotional tensions rose as one family, the Banks, faced early elimination after failing to secure advantages, marking the first extraction of the season.[69][19] Episode 3: The Hunt (February 24, 2025)
Survivalists ventured into the forest for a food procurement challenge, relying on maps provided by their families at HQ, where emotional outbursts intensified amid strategic decisions. The episode highlighted interpersonal drama as alliances began forming among families, but no eliminations occurred, building suspense for resource scarcity.[69][70] Episode 4: Surviving the Storm (March 3, 2025)
A severe storm battered the wilderness, forcing survivalists to make critical shelter reinforcements while families anonymously aided a non-relative contestant, straining alliances and leading to the elimination of Rose Hyak's team after they failed to adapt to the weather-induced challenges. Drama peaked with accusations of sabotage among HQ groups.[69][71] Episode 5: Burn Before Reading (March 10, 2025)
Families ranked survivalists' performances at HQ, composing letters that were "burned" in a symbolic twist before delivery, while contestants tackled a grueling water crossing challenge to access supplies. Ryan's unexpected extraction left his family devastated, underscoring the ruthless family-driven eliminations.[69][72] Episode 6: The Game Has Changed (March 24, 2025)
With new tools supplied based on HQ selections, survivalists engaged in a high-risk hunt, but a ruthless twist saw another contestant eliminated mid-challenge, amplifying family rivalries and emotional breakdowns at headquarters. The episode emphasized shifting strategies as the field narrowed.[69][73] Episode 7: Family vs. Family (March 31, 2025)
Exhausted survivalists raced across treacherous terrain to retrieve lake-based supplies, paralleling direct competitions between families at HQ that determined extraction risks. Interpersonal drama escalated with betrayals, but the episode ended without an elimination, heightening tension for the merge.[69][70] Episode 8: Mystery Box (April 7, 2025)
Down to four survivalists, one dove into a freezing lake to claim a mystery supply box, guided by compass directions from families strategizing at HQ amid rising paranoia over contents. The challenge revealed game-changing items, fueling drama without an immediate elimination.[69] Episode 9: Banished (April 14, 2025)
Families decided whether to trade or retain mystery crate advantages, with a hidden HQ twist banishing one family and eliminating their survivalist, drawing 1.22 million live viewers and intensifying the path to the finale.[69][74] Episode 10: The Final Drop (April 21, 2025)
The remaining survivalists and families entered a head-to-head finale, requiring contestants to guess a five-letter word chosen by their relatives and decode Morse code for the ultimate supply drop, culminating in the winner announcement after intense physical and mental trials. The episode attracted 1.91 million viewers, though full DVR totals for the season remain pending as of November 2025.[69][75][41]