What happens when the raw, agonizing aftermath of infidelity isn’t processed in the quiet privacy of a therapist’s office, but under the harsh glare of reality TV cameras, broadcast globally for millions? Netflix’s “Cheat: Unfinished Business” dives headfirst into this volatile territory, presenting a social experiment wrapped in the glossy packaging of contemporary reality television. Premiering April 30, 2025, the series brings together eight couples whose relationships fractured due to cheating, forcing them to confront their pasts in a sun-drenched, high-stakes environment.
Guiding these couples through the emotional minefield are two familiar faces: Amanda Holden, the well-known judge from “Britain’s Got Talent,” and Paul C. Brunson, the seasoned relationship expert recognized from shows like “Married At First Sight UK” and “Celebs Go Dating.” Holden positions herself as a sympathetic “favorite auntie” offering a shoulder to cry on, while Brunson provides structured guidance and therapeutic exercises. The show’s core concept revolves around reuniting these eight ex-couples at a luxury retreat, aiming to help them face their mistakes, potentially rebuild shattered trust, and ultimately decide whether to forge a new path together or part ways for good.
It’s crucial to distinguish this 2025 reality series from other productions bearing the name “Cheat.” It is not the 2019 ITV psychological thriller starring Katherine Kelly and Molly Windsor, which explored a toxic dynamic between a university professor and her student. Nor is it the 2023 Netflix game show hosted by Danny Dyer and Ellie Taylor, where contestants were encouraged to cheat their way to a cash prize. “Cheat: Unfinished Business” focuses squarely on the messy realities of relationship repair after betrayal.
The series landed on Netflix with all episodes available simultaneously, catering to the modern binge-watching audience. While some initial data sources, like IMDb, listed fewer episodes early on, multiple detailed reports and reviews confirm a full nine-episode season was released, offering viewers a deep dive into the couples’ journeys.
The Setting: Sun, Secrets, and Second Chances in Mallorca
The backdrop for this emotional crucible is anything but somber. Filming took place between May and June 2024 at the stunning Spirit of Son Fuster, a private estate and 14th-century manor house nestled in the mountains of Mallorca, Spain. This luxurious retreat, sprawling across 40 acres and boasting amenities like a large pool, gym, library, and ten bedrooms, provides an isolated, almost idyllic setting. The juxtaposition of the serene landscape with the intense emotional turmoil of the participants is palpable; the lush mountains perhaps mirroring the monumental challenges the couples face, while the tranquility symbolizes the peace they seek.
The show’s premise is carefully framed not as a dating show, but as a relationship-focused endeavor. Holden emphasizes that it features “people who are invested in their relationships and are seeing if they can hang onto them and make them work.” The goal isn’t necessarily reconciliation for everyone, but confrontation, understanding, and closure.
Central to this process is Paul C. Brunson. His role extends beyond mere hosting; he actively counsels the couples, setting exercises designed to help them navigate their complex issues. Brunson consistently stresses the importance of “total transparency and total vulnerability,” forgiveness, and the hard work required to rebuild trust once it’s broken.
Amanda Holden occupies a unique position within the show’s dynamic. She acts as the empathetic listener, the “auntie” figure providing comfort, but also presides over the intense “Reckoning Room” confrontations. Her public persona and past experiences with infidelity, though largely kept as subtext within the show rather than explicitly detailed for all viewers, likely inform her perspective. Holden repeatedly urges viewers “not to judge” the participants too quickly, advocating for empathy and acknowledging that “everyone should have a second chance.” This stance aligns with the show’s framework, which seeks to explore the ‘why’ behind infidelity without necessarily demonizing the individuals involved. This careful balancing act – leveraging Holden’s relatability for certain audiences while keeping the focus on the contestants’ stories – appears to be a deliberate choice, adding a layer of complexity to her hosting role.
Meet the Couples: Love Island Exes and Lingering Lies
At the heart of “Cheat: Unfinished Business” are the eight ex-couples, each bringing their own unique story of love and betrayal to the retreat. Their willingness to dissect their failed relationships on camera provides the core drama.
Among the most recognizable faces are Biggs Chris and Rebecca Gormley, alumni of the first winter series of “Love Island” in 2020. Their post-villa romance lasted 18 months before ending amidst difficulties exacerbated by lockdown distances (Glasgow and Newcastle) and Biggs’ public claim that Rebecca was a “party girl.” The aftermath saw Rebecca linked to another Islander, Michael Griffiths, while Biggs entered a new relationship that ended shortly before the birth of his child in 2023. Trailers hinted at unresolved issues and confrontations over past events, with the show teasing that “unexpected events” would force them into honesty before they could consider moving forward.
The other couples bring equally complex dynamics, representing a spectrum of relationship lengths and specific conflicts. Kieran and Amberley from Hertfordshire are deadlocked, unable to agree on the basic facts of their breakup, let alone who cheated on whom. Yorkshire pair Shaun and Tegan appear fundamentally mismatched, constantly clashing over their issues. For Conor and Lucia from Wales, their four-year relationship hangs precariously, with the retreat serving as a final test of its viability.
Steph and Andre from Essex face a tense reunion after two years apart, with hints of more revelations to come. Liam and Olivia from Buckinghamshire carry the weight of a decade-long history, making their potential reconciliation or final split particularly poignant. Dan and Rebecca C arrive with the baggage of a “very fiery breakup” and numerous accusations. Perhaps most explosively, ex-footballer Craig and his ex Jazz from London grapple with the revelation that one of them was allegedly “living a double life.”
Inside the Drama: The Explosive ‘Reckoning Room’
The journey for these couples unfolds through a combination of intimate one-on-one conversations, structured exercises led by Paul C. Brunson, and the show’s signature confrontational element: the Reckoning Room. This is where the rawest emotions and most dramatic exchanges often take place.
Amanda Holden described the Reckoning Room atmosphere as intensely dramatic, comparing it to an episode of “Game of Thrones.” The setting itself is designed for maximum tension: a long, imposing table, mood lighting, and a striking pathway of flames that reportedly flicker or extinguish based on the status of each couple’s relationship. Holden notes there’s “no escape route,” forcing participants to face their ex-partners and the uncomfortable truths between them.
Clips from the show illustrate the kinds of conflicts that erupt in this pressure-cooker environment. In one notable exchange, contestant Liam forcefully calls out Kieran for his aggressive questioning of Amberley, demanding, “You need to respect that woman, not speak to her like that.” Trailer footage is rife with accusations and emotional outbursts: “Your cheating has ruined me,” “Don’t lie,” “He was living a double life,” accompanied by tears and visible distress. Amberley is seen storming away from a difficult conversation.
Specific accusations of infidelity are debated and dissected, including the implications of sharing a bed with someone else, the appropriateness of visiting an ex’s house while in a relationship, and direct confrontations about sleeping with other people. Adding another layer of potential chaos, Holden revealed that unexpected “sparks” began to fly between some contestants who hadn’t arrived as a couple, hinting at the potential for new dynamics and further complicating existing relationships. This element underscores comparisons drawn between “Cheat” and shows like “Love Island,” where partner-swapping is a staple.
What is Cheating, Anyway? The Show’s Central Question
Beyond the specific instances of infidelity, “Cheat: Unfinished Business” actively engages with the often blurry definition of cheating itself. The show’s trailer deliberately asks, “What is cheating?” setting the stage for ongoing debates about where lines are drawn. This exploration of ambiguity appears to be a deliberate narrative strategy, used to generate conflict and compel the couples (and viewers) to examine different perspectives on betrayal.
Examples abound throughout the series. Discussions touch upon whether texting, sliding into DMs (direct messages), lying about whereabouts, emotional affairs, or physical acts short of intercourse constitute cheating. These differing interpretations become major points of contention for several couples. The conflict between Kieran and Amberley, for instance, hinges significantly on their inability to agree on whether certain actions crossed the line. Similarly, the fallout between Craig and Jazz involves complex layers of deception and differing standards of loyalty. This constant questioning of boundaries serves as a powerful engine driving the drama, ensuring misunderstandings and arguments are frequent.
The experience even prompted host Amanda Holden to reconsider her own views. She admitted that working with Paul C. Brunson on the show challenged her previous belief that women cheat primarily for “affirmation and love,” leading her to understand that the reasons for infidelity are far more varied and complex for both men and women. The core issue, as the show repeatedly highlights, often boils down to the betrayal of trust, regardless of the specific act.
Production and Pedigree: From the Makers of ‘Love Island’
Behind the scenes, “Cheat: Unfinished Business” boasts a production pedigree blending expertise from different corners of the unscripted television world. The show is a co-production between 12 Yard and Lifted Entertainment.
Lifted Entertainment is a reality TV powerhouse, responsible for massive global hits like “Love Island,” “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!,” and “Dancing on Ice.” Their track record demonstrates a mastery of creating compelling relationship-driven drama and large-scale reality formats. 12 Yard, on the other hand, has carved out a niche in studio entertainment and quiz shows, producing long-running hits like “Eggheads” and “Who Dares Wins,” as well as reality formats like “The Cabins” and “Coach Trip.”
This blend of expertise likely contributes significantly to the show’s structure. It fuses the organic, often messy relationship dynamics typical of Lifted Entertainment’s portfolio with the more structured, confrontational elements reminiscent of game or challenge shows, such as the high-stakes Reckoning Room sessions. This hybrid approach aims to maximize viewer engagement by tapping into the addictive qualities of both relationship drama and structured conflict, explaining why critics have drawn parallels to both “Love Island” and the strategic intensity of shows like “The Traitors.” Technically, the production aims for a polished feel, utilizing specifications like a Dolby Surround 7.1 sound mix to enhance the immersive experience.
Our Take: It’s Harmless Fun
Shows like this might not be the highest quality television in the world, but let’s face it, they’re entertaining. They constantly seek confrontation and scandal, offering us that little temptation we all have: peering into other people’s lives.
The couples know what they’re signing up for; they’re aware of what happens and, let’s not deny it, they’re seeking fame. Some even achieve it by airing their private lives. They know what they want, they know the price, and they seem thrilled about it.
And so are the viewers, who devour these types of programs, which are usually guaranteed hits for television networks.
On this occasion, it’s Netflix delivering a wide variety of shows today.
So, for viewers who enjoy the spectacle of infidelity aired on television, “Cheat: Unfinished Business” is the perfect excuse.
Enjoy it.
Where to Watch ‘Cheat: Unfinished Business’
