Billy’s ready to meet a woman who makes his heart sing — preferably any song by Michael Bublé, his go-to at the karaoke bar. Though he got divorced five years ago after a “whirlwind romance,” Billy’s still a strong believer in marriage. He loved being a husband and wants to find a life partner who’ll accompany him on group dates with his married friends, enjoy a pint of Guinness, and build a family with him. That family will, of course, include his beloved dog Ollie.

As a self-described former party boy, cheeky Charlie is known for being outspoken, but his personality hasn’t always led to success in romance. In the past, he’s struggled to exit the friend zone with women who see him only as a mate. That’s why Charlie is drawn to older, more mature women, who might actually take him seriously. After a recent breakup that shattered his confidence and trust, Charlie took some time off from dating to heal. Now he’s finally ready to give love a try once again. Cougars, get ready — Charlie’s back on the prowl.

As a lover of all things numbers, Chris embraces his nerdy side — and wants to find a partner who does the same. But the math isn’t mathing when it comes to love, as his previous romantic relationships have never quite added up. Described by friends and family as a “kind and generous person” who always thinks of others, Chris is hoping to meet a family-oriented and funny woman who loves animals so he can finally crack the marriage equation.

An old-school gentleman, Demola has been marriage-minded from a young age, even fantasizing about the details of his wedding as a boy. While he wears his heart on his sleeve, Demola’s most recent relationship ended after eight years because he didn’t feel comfortable being vulnerable. After two years unattached, he believes connecting with someone in the pods is his best shot at dating on a deeper level. If he’s able to do just that, he won’t hesitate to pop the question — he’s hoping for a long-term love just like his parents, who’ve been together for decades. 

Even though he’s the brains behind some of the world’s most popular dating apps, Jack hasn’t yet swiped his way to someone special. Since his romantic prospects haven’t been as successful as his tech ventures, he’s taking his search for love offline. For years, marriage wasn’t something on Jack’s mind until a health scare made him rethink his priorities. When he was 30, doctors discovered a cancerous tumor on his appendix. Now that this triathlon runner has fully recovered, he’s realized life is extremely precious — and much better with a partner by your side. 

As a father of two, James’ proudest achievement in life is raising his daughters — and he has his heart set on having more kids in the future. But he’s struggled to find a romantic partner who fits in with his blended family. Geography’s also been an issue in the past: James used to divide his time between the UK and Thailand, where his mom is from. All that globetrotting, however, wasn’t doing wonders for his love life. Now that he’s firmly planted in one place, James is ready to settle down with his soulmate. And if she’s a fan of the sick beats he plays as a DJ, he’ll be ready to spin down the aisle. 

Javen played soccer professionally until he was cut from his team due to an injury. Though it was heartbreaking, he’s since set his sights on a new goal: scoring the love of his life. But in the dating game, Javen has come up empty, as he’s never been in a committed relationship. Why? Javen believes he just “attracts the wrong types of girls.” In the pods, however, he aims to break free of his usual type and build  a “genuine connection.” A new homeowner who’s secure in his career, Javen is eager to meet someone who can be a workout buddy, life partner, and fit in with his big Jamaican family.

The highlight of Jed’s’s week is Sunday roast dinners with his big Lebanese family. He’s a doting uncle to two nieces and can’t wait to one day be a “girl dad.” While Jed isn’t particularly religious, his father, who is Muslim, instilled in him a deep appreciation for other faiths and cultures, as well as traditional values. Jed’s potential wife will need to make a good impression on his tight-knit family and his many married friends, who’ve been not-so-patiently waiting for Jed, “the 10th wheel” of the group, to find his perfect match. 

Confident and spontaneous Jordan still lives with his mom, who can’t wait for him to get married and find a place of his own. But preserving his close relationship with his mother isn’t the only reason he’s looking to find the one. As he approaches 30, and after a year of being single, Jordan finally feels ready for a serious romantic partnership. Having grown up in a divorced household, he also wants nothing more than a successful marriage and to start a family of his own. If he gets out of her house soon, maybe grandma will even help take care of the kids.

According to Kal, his best assets are his big blue eyes —  and he’s got them set on marital bliss. Watching his brothers settle down and start families of their own has made him even more eager than to find the one. As a health and fitness fanatic, Kal plans to live to be 100 years old. But if he wants to find a partner to go the distance, he’ll have to rethink his approach to dating: All seven of his previous relationships have ended before the 12-month mark. Will he find a woman in the pods to help him break “the one-year curse?”

“Secret geek” Kieran has made a living out of his love of video games. But after just 18 months of singledom following his last seven-year relationship, he’s eager to make it to the final boss in the game of love: marriage. Described by his friends and family as a “golden boy,” he’s now reaching for a golden goblet as he takes his search for the perfect partner into the pods. Kieran is a member of Mensa and has even been featured on Forbes 30 Under 30 list, so he’s no stranger to success. Let’s just see if he finds it in romance.

Deeply spiritual Patrick is guided by his spleen — yes, you read that correctly. He’ll be relying on the organ to let him know if he’s met the right woman, even through a wall. Partick ended his longest relationship because he didn’t know himself well enough, but after putting in the work and feeling secure about himself once again, love is what he’s after. Patrick believes relationships should be magnetic but has yet to be drawn to Mrs. Right. Hopefully, a special someone inside the pods will tap into his splenic instinct.

Rom-com lover Ross is looking for “a movie kind of love” — you know, the ones that end with “kissing in the rain” and a happily ever after. This hopeless romantic and former military man thought he found “the one” in his most recent relationship, but they split, and he’s spent the last four years as a single guy. Heading into the pods, Ross isn’t only interested in big gestures worthy of his favorite films. He genuinely wants to find a partner who will be his best friend for life, long after the credits stop rolling. 

As a very good listener, Ross is often described as a therapist by those who sit in his barber chair. But given his own single status, he tries to avoid doling out relationship advice. At 30 years old, Ross believed he would’ve been settled down by now, but he’s scared of getting burned by love again. In his most significant past partnership, Ross fell head over heels straightaway before a breakup that cut deep. Now, after a year of being single, he’s ready to give it another go and hopes to meet someone with whom he can be completely himself.

In the past, Tom’s work has kept him busy. He was previously based in Dubai, where he sold Christmas trees before moving home to buy his beloved local pub. Now, however, he’s sold the bar and has  plenty of free time to devote to finding love after a year of being single. That’s a good thing, because the way Tom likes building connections takes time. He believes that “the best part of falling in love is having deep conversations,” making him a perfect fit for the pods. Having grown up in a large family with foster siblings, Tom hopes to get married and foster some kids of his own with a partner one day.

This singer often serenades happy couples on their special day, but at times, the gigs can leave Aanu feeling lonely. Her one long-term relationship ended after four years due to his infidelity, and since then, Aanu has been busy pouring back into herself. She’s recently gotten serious about finding love, but it’s been challenging because most guys don’t seem to be seeking real commitment. Aanu is hopeful that dating in the pods will restore her faith in men and marriage. If she hears an emotionally available guy tell her she’s the one sight unseen, it will be music to her ears.

It’s family over everything for Amy, whose loved ones describe her as “the life of the party.” She is extremely close with her parents and even set her brother up with his partner of eight years. Unfortunately, no setup of her own has been quite as successful. In her last relationship, which came to a close two years ago, her family-oriented outlook ended up being the dealbreaker, as he wasn’t interested in having children. After years of living in Dubai, Amy’s settling back down in Wales and is looking for someone who shares her goals to join her as she embarks on this next chapter.

With a nickname like “Combat Barbie,” it’s no wonder that Ashleigh was an Army Cadet growing up and loves a man in uniform. Given her hectic work schedule, Ashleigh tends to catch flights, not feelings, as most men aren’t looking to connect on an emotional level with an air hostess. After her parents divorced when she was in her late teens, Ashleigh had to “mature quickly” and help handle the household bills. Though she’s always been highly responsible, she also loves having a good time. When she’s not working or volunteering, Ashleigh enjoys going to the theater, pole fitness, and showing off her headstand skills.

Working in the luxury car industry, Bardha is looking to shift gears and fast-track her love life. Her parents are especially eager to see their daughter walk down the aisle, as she called off a previous engagement due to infidelity. Her dream wedding will of course be spectacular, as Bardha’s family describes her as “boujee.” But she comes from humble beginnings, having emigrated to the UK from war-torn Kosovo as a child. Being single at Bardha’s age is considered unusual in her culture. That’s why she wants to speed things up and lock down a man who isn’t intimidated by her ambition and impressive career.

Dating in her small rural town has been rough for Christine, who’s known as a “very experienced bridesmaid.” With a limited dating pool of men, she has a habit of falling for bad boys that end up breaking her heart. While she’s looking for a lover in the pods, it wouldn’t hurt if he’s a fan of Friends, because people often say she looks like Monica. As an only child, Christine knows her future husband will have to impress her parents, who would like to welcome grandkids into their “very Irish” family as soon as possible. 

Danielle is an open book, so, of course, she tends to take what others tell her at face value. But being so trusting hasn’t always worked out. Danielle has been cheated on several times in past relationships, leading to some serious heartbreak. In the pods, she doesn’t plan on pursuing her usual type — loud guys who call attention to themselves. Instead, she’s looking for someone more low-key, who’s reserved and hardworking. But most of all, finding a partner with ambition is extremely important to Danielle, especially since her own property business is booming. 

As an expert in the culinary arts, Holly loves to spend her time whipping up delicious confections in the kitchen. Until recently she’s put her dating life on the back burner, but now it’s time to spice up her love life. Raised to be ambitious and assertive, Holly knows exactly what she wants, and, when it comes to a partner, someone driven, emotionally available, and appreciative of her nurturing nature will get her attention. If the man of her dreams is waiting on the other side of the pods, this Pisces won’t hesitate, as she tends to wear her heart on her sleeve and fall in love fast.

Attention fellow singles: Katisha is “looking for a husband, not a boyfriend.” The eldest of seven children, she and her family moved a total of 14 times while she was growing up. Though she finally settled in Dumfries, dating there as an adult hasn’t been easy. After being single for six years, Katisha is starting to feel unlucky in love, and to question if she has a broken picker. Now, she’s ready to branch out of her small hometown to connect with the “right type of men” who are seeking long-term commitment and love.

Laurie’s friends think she’s still single because she usually dates younger men. She met her last boyfriend while on a trip to Las Vegas, but turned out not to be lucky in love because they wanted different things. Now, she’s firmly closing the age gap and looking to start a life with a serious guy, who embraces her Celtic and Caribbean roots. With a career in design, Laurie clearly has a keen eye for aesthetics. She’s willing to put that aside in the search for love, however, since she hasn’t found success with superficial dating methods.

With Loll, it’s all in the name. This outgoing “social butterfly” loves to laugh, especially at her many outrageous dating stories. Though her natural confidence attracts all kinds of people, she has a habit of letting the wrong guys into her heart. With her grandparents, who recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary, serving as a powerful example, Loll knows that long-lasting love is possible. As a lover of pasta and wine, she appreciates a perfect pairing and believes hers is still out there somewhere. If she happens to meet him in the pods, things could get saucy.

With a personality that’s as fiery as her hair, Megan always “brings the energy.” This professional dancer has spent much of her career performing on cruise ships. Now, she’s looking to set sail on more romantic waters, especially since her most recent relationship, with a fellow dancer, went under after they returned to land. In the pods, Megan is hoping to find a man who supports her career and shares her desire to start a family and quick-witted sense of humor. Coming from an atypical family structure — Megan’s biological father has never been a part of her life —  she’s drawn to the idea of adoption and would be interested in exploring that possibility with her future partner.

This former competitive kickboxer won’t pull any punches in her search to find her husband in the pods. For much of her life, Sarover kept men in the friend zone, choosing to focus on her education and career over everything. Recently, romance has been calling, but online dating and being set up by relatives haven’t been successful. While she’s technically never been in a serious relationship, Sarover has experienced her fair share of dating disasters, including a man who lied about his age on their first date. Even after she gave him multiple chances, he ended up ghosting and blocking her, which was a gut punch to her self-esteem.

Confrontational Sophie loves to argue and is very good at getting her way — she is a law school graduate, after all. Still, one of her biggest turn-ons is a guy who can “stand up for himself” and doesn’t let her walk all over him. Despite her feisty exterior, Sophie has a softer side that she doesn’t show often. The reason she’s never been in love is because she’s scared of having her heart broken. To make it work with Sophie, her partner will have to break down her walls — and gain the approval of her very protective dad and four brothers.

Described by her friends as an “outgoing and confident extrovert,” Tara usually has no problem pushing past surface-level chats. Yet, in her last relationship, she struggled to connect beyond silly jokes and banter. Now, Tara won’t waste time on anyone who isn’t genuinely interested in all aspects of her life, including her favorite pastimes: running, night diving, and walking her Great Dane. Tara is heading into this experiment full of optimism, as a fortune teller recently predicted she’d be engaged by September. Could fate be waiting for her on the other side of that wall?

Yolanda is the youngest single in the pod squad, but she considers herself to be wise beyond her years. As an adrenaline junkie who enjoys sky diving and bungee jumping, she’s had plenty of experience taking big leaps of faith. This time around, her adventurous spirit has led her to the pods, where she hopes to find a loving partner who can lighten her load. Yolanda is known as a “ride or die” by friends and family, spending her days and nights looking after the people she loves the most. Will she find someone to ride for her in the same way?