Stranded with My Mother-in-Law Season 3: The Ultimate Family Survival Test Returns

The wait is finally over. Netflix’s global reality sensation, Stranded with My Mother-in-Law (originally titled Ilhados com a Sogra), returns for its highly anticipated third season. After two seasons of explosive family drama, heartwarming reconciliations, and enough side-eye to sink a battleship, the Brazilian hit is back with a new twist that promises to raise the stakes higher than ever before.

Hosted by the charismatic Fernanda Souza and mediated by psychologist Shenia Karlsson, Season 3 invites six new brave couples to a paradise island in Alagoas, Brazil. But as fans know, this is no ordinary vacation. The couples are separated upon arrival, with the sons- and daughters-in-law forced to team up with their mothers-in-law to compete for a life-changing prize of R$ 500,000. Meanwhile, their partners—the children caught in the middle—watch every move from a bunker on the other side of the island, helpless to intervene as their spouses and mothers navigate obstacle courses and emotional minefields.

A Global Phenomenon

Since its debut in 2023, Stranded with My Mother-in-Law has defied expectations to become one of Netflix’s most successful non-English reality series. It has consistently ranked in the Global Top 10, captivating audiences far beyond Brazil with its universal themes of family conflict and resolution.

“The show works because it’s a reality check,” says one TV critic. “We all have families, we all have in-laws, and we all understand the delicate dance of diplomacy required to keep the peace. Seeing that dynamic stripped bare on a desert island is both hilarious and deeply cathartic.”

The series has struck a chord by blending the high-octane physical challenges of Survivor with the raw interpersonal drama of Big Brother, all wrapped in a uniquely relatable package. Whether you’re Team Mom or Team Spouse, the show forces viewers to pick a side—and then often challenges those allegiances as the layers of each family’s history are peeled back.

Season 3: The Mother of All Twists

For Season 3, the producers have upped the ante right from the start. In a franchise first, the casting process itself was turned into a spectacle. Over 200 hopeful mothers-in-law gathered for a massive “convention” in São Paulo, where they were put through a series of tests and interviews to select the final six who would make it to the island.

This “Mother-in-Law Convention” will be featured in the season, offering viewers a glimpse into the sheer determination (and competitiveness) of these matriarchs before they even set foot on the sand. It sets the tone for a season that promises to be the most competitive yet.

“We wanted to find mothers-in-law who were not just characters, but who had a genuine desire to fight for their families—and maybe prove a point or two along the way,” a production insider teased.

Meet the Families

The heart of the show, of course, is the cast. Season 3 features a diverse group of families from across Brazil, each bringing their own unique baggage to the island. Here is your guide to the six families competing for the half-million real prize:

The Chagas Family (Rio de Janeiro)

The Players: Digital influencer Douglas Chagas, his wife Thainá Wencesla (a confectioner), and Douglas’s mother, Rozanda Chagas. The Drama: This trio enters the competition with unresolved tension stemming from the past. Thainá’s unexpected pregnancy years ago forced Douglas to abandon his dreams of a military career, a pivot that his mother, Rozanda, has reportedly never fully accepted. The island will force them to confront this lingering resentment. Can Rozanda forgive her daughter-in-law for “derailing” her son’s life, or will old wounds reopen under the tropical sun?

The Cruz Family (Santos, São Paulo)

The Players: Personal trainer Heder Rolin, singer Giovanna Mari, and Heder’s mother, Sarah Cruz. The Drama: Sarah is a former volleyball player, bringing a competitive athlete’s mindset to the game. Heder shares his mother’s intensity, which could make them a formidable team in physical challenges. However, Giovanna and Heder have been married for years, and the dynamic of “living with mom” again—even in a game setting—threatens to disrupt their marital equilibrium. Expect Sarah to be a powerhouse in the arena, but perhaps a bulldozer in the villa.

The Lopes Family (Bahia)

The Players: Electrician and musician Ícaro Lopes, personal trainer Jéssica Souza, and Ícaro’s mother, Ivana Lopes. The Drama: Distance hasn’t made the heart grow fonder for this family. The couple does not currently live together, and Jéssica’s arrival in the family was reportedly the catalyst for heightened tensions between Ícaro and his mother, Ivana. Ivana, a cook, is used to running her kitchen and her family. On the island, she’ll have to share control with the woman she feels drove a wedge between her and her son.

The Machado Family (Minas Gerais)

The Players: Entrepreneurs Isadora Machado and Gabriel Silva, and Isadora’s mother, Marihely Machado. The Drama: Boundaries—or the lack thereof—are the central theme for the Machados. Gabriel has spent his relationship trying to keep a healthy distance from his mother-in-law, Marihely, who is described as frequently intervening in the couple’s life. To make matters worse, Marihely has plans to move closer to them, a prospect that terrifies the couple. The island will be a trial run for this proximity. Will Gabriel snap, or can they find a new way to coexist?

The Misquita Family (Rio de Janeiro)

The Players: Sales coordinator Leonardo Misquita, confectioner Juliano Faller, and Leonardo’s mother, Lina Misquita. The Drama: As the season’s only gay couple, Leonardo and Juliano bring a different dynamic. The tension here lies in a classic struggle for territory. Juliano recently established firmer boundaries with Lina, which she interpreted as a rejection and a loss of connection with her son. Lina feels pushed out, while Juliano feels he is simply protecting his marriage. They will need to rebuild trust to function as a team.

The Rocha Family (Rio de Janeiro)

The Players: Financial manager Nathalia Rocha, traffic manager Diego Rodrigues, and Nathalia’s mother, Mônica Rocha. The Drama: If there’s a villain edit waiting to happen, early bets are on Mônica. A pedagogical director and recent widow, she is described by her own family as narcissistic and prone to playing the victim. She has made it clear she believes her son-in-law, Diego, is “disingenuous” and sees the show as her opportunity to “unmask” him to the world. Diego, for his part, will have to navigate a minefield of manipulation while trying to win challenges with a woman who actively dislikes him.

Why We Can’t Look Away

Stranded with My Mother-in-Law has mastered the art of the “dramedy.” One moment, viewers are laughing at a slapstick fall in a mud pit; the next, they are tearing up as a stoic mother-in-law breaks down about feeling abandoned.

The show’s structure is genius in its simplicity. By isolating the in-law pair, it forces communication. There is no escape. They must work together to eat, sleep, and win. This forced proximity often accelerates years of therapy into a few weeks of intense interaction.

Fernanda Souza returns as the perfect host for this chaos. Her empathetic yet playful hosting style allows her to connect with the participants while acknowledging the absurdity of their situation. And when things get too heated, Shenia Karlsson is there to mediate, providing professional insight that elevates the show from trashy reality TV to something surprisingly poignant.

Release Schedule

Netflix is rolling out Season 3 in three parts, ensuring the conversation will dominate social media for the entire month of December:

December 3, 2025: Episodes 1-4 (The Arrival and First Conflicts)
December 10, 2025: Episodes 5-8 (The Pressure Mounts)
December 17, 2025: The Grand Finale (The Winner Revealed)

As the holiday season approaches—a time when many viewers will be facing their own family gatherings—Stranded with My Mother-in-Law offers the perfect escape. It’s a reminder that no matter how crazy your family dinner gets, at least you’re not trapped on a desert island with your mother-in-law… or are you?

Prepare for the drama. Season 3 of Stranded with My Mother-in-Law is about to wash ashore.

Netflix