ITV’s newest talent search is here and it has an Abba theme (Picture: ITV)
ITV1 has a potential hit on its hands with its newest talent show, Mamma Mia I Have A Dream – which is set to make stars of two of its contestants.
The series will see 14 hopefuls competing to win the ultimate prize of a role in the West End production of the hit Abba musical – which has been running in the capital for over 24 years and spawned a 2008 film adaptation starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth.
However they’ll have a string of challenges to face along the way, with the show set to put singing, dancing and acting skills to the test in their bid to impress the judging panel.
Here’s everything you need to know about the new series.
What happens in Mamma Mia: I Have A Dream?
Mamma Mia: I Have A Dream will follow the search for two newcomers to take on the roles of Sophie and Sky in the West End production of the show.
The lucky pair will be chosen from 14 hopefuls – seven male, seven female – taking part in the series, which was filmed in Greece – where the musical takes place.
As well as singing, dancing and acting the contestants will also be judged on their on-stage chemistry with their co-stars – in a bid to avoid the weekly eliminations.
The remaining contestants will eventually battle it out in a live final – when it’ll be down to the public vote to decide who plays Sophie and who plays Sky, with the lucky winners set to join the cast early next year.
The show has a similar format to previous BBC shows including I’d Do Anything, which saw Jodie Prenger (who now plays Glenda Shuttleworth in Coronation Street) chosen from the contestants to play Nancy in a West End production of Oliver!
That show’s runner-up Jessie Buckley has also had a hugely successful career on stage and screen – including nabbing a best supporting actress nomination for her performance in 2021’s The Lost Daughter.
Who are the presenters and judges of Mamma Mia: I Have A Dream?
Zoe Ball is presenting the show, while the judging panel includes singer Jessie Ware, comedian and presenter Alan Carr and Glee actress Amber Riley.
The fourth member of the panel, West End star Samantha Barks, is also a graduate of BBC One’s I’d Do Anything, finishing third in that show and going on to have a successful West End career, which has included playing Elsa in Frozen as well as appearing in the stage version of Les Miserables and the 2010 film adaptation.
The series was filmed in Greece where the musical takes place (Picture: ITV)
Samantha also recently gave birth to her first child, announcing the arrival of her son just days before Mamma Mia: I Have A Dream’s debut.
Mamma Mia creator Judy Craymer will also be on hand to guide the hopefuls as they bid for West End stardom.
Who is taking part in Mamma Mia: I Have A Dream?
Here are the contestants you’ll be watching over the coming weeks.
Desmonda, 27, from Indonesia
Esme, 22, from London
Leah, 20, from Redcar
Maddy, 20, from Bolton
Maisie, 22, from Margate
Stephanie, 22, from St Albans
Stevie, 22, from Glasgow
Callum, 22, from Oxfordshire
Craig, 26, from Perthshire
Darcy, 23, from Hampshire
Marcellus, 36, from High Wycombe
Owen, 25, from Belfast
Tobias, 22, from Somerset
Zachkiel, 21, from London
How to watch Mamma Mia: I Have A Dream
Mamma Mia: I Have A Dream begins on ITV1 on Sunday night at 6pm.
If you miss it, you’ll be able to catch up via ITVX.
MORE : Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream is the S.O.S to save reality talent contests
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