Last updated: 12 September 2026. This page will be updated in place as more details about format, prize and the finale are confirmed.
Netflix is opening the gates to its own version of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Wonka’s The Golden Ticket is a new reality competition series inspired by Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the beloved 1971 film, bringing 12 real-life “Golden Ticket Winners” — each with a partner of their own choosing — into a full-scale recreation of the factory to compete for a life-changing prize.
Here’s the full cast, the release schedule, and everything else confirmed so far.
| Platform | Netflix |
| Premiere date | September 23, 2026 |
| Episodes released at launch | First 7 episodes |
| Finale | Two-part finale, September 30, 2026 |
| Total episodes | 9 |
| Format | Reality competition |
| Number of contestants | 12 Golden Ticket Winners, each with a chosen partner (24 people total) |
| Host | Willy Wonka, voiced by an AI recreation of Gene Wilder |
| Producer | Eureka Productions |
| Inspired by | Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory |
Full Cast List
The official cast was revealed ahead of the September 23 premiere, pairing each Golden Ticket Winner with a partner of their choice:
| Golden Ticket Winner Pair |
|---|
| Taylor & Bryce |
| Shawn & Garrison |
| Bill & Kayla |
| Tatum & Kellye |
| Marcy & Joanne |
| Gabby & Sasha |
| Moon & Hunter |
| Everett & James |
| Ziad & Austin |
| Nick & Jason |
| Ava & Jeffrey |
| Ray & Jackson |
Twelve pairs, 24 contestants total — each duo will step through the factory gates together and compete as a team through the season’s games, tests and temptations.
What’s the Format?
The premise borrows directly from the source material: 12 lucky “Golden Ticket Winners,” each bringing a partner of their choosing, are let inside a full-scale recreation of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.
Once inside, it stops being a tour and becomes a competition — contestants face a series of unpredictable games, physical and mental tests, and moral “temptations” designed to see who can be trusted and how far each pair is willing to go. Only one pair will make it to the end and walk away with the show’s prize.
The Gene Wilder Connection
One of the most talked-about details of the show is its host: Willy Wonka himself, voiced by an AI-recreated version of Gene Wilder’s voice from his iconic 1971 performance. The recreation was made with the consent of the Gene Wilder Estate.
Wilder’s wife, Karen B. Wilder, released a statement on behalf of the estate marking the decision, noting the enduring connection audiences have felt to her husband’s performance across generations.
Veteran actor Rusty Goffe, who played one of the original Oompa Loompas in the 1971 film, also returns for the new series.
- September 23, 2026 — First 7 episodes premiere on Netflix.
- September 30, 2026 — Two-part finale releases, bringing the total to 9 episodes.
The show’s launch date lines up with the 55th anniversary of the original 1971 film.
When does Wonka’s The Golden Ticket premiere?
September 23, 2026, on Netflix, with the first seven episodes released at once.
How many episodes are in the season?
Nine episodes total — seven at launch, followed by a two-part finale on September 30, 2026.
Who is hosting the show?
Willy Wonka appears as host, voiced by an AI recreation of Gene Wilder’s performance from the 1971 film, made with the Gene Wilder Estate’s consent.
How many contestants are competing?
12 Golden Ticket Winners, each paired with a partner of their own choosing — 24 people in total.
Is this connected to the 2023 Wonka movie?
No — the series draws its inspiration from Roald Dahl’s original novel and the classic 1971 film starring Gene Wilder, not the 2023 prequel film.
This page will be updated with additional details as the premiere approaches and once episodes begin airing.