Reality TV is never short on surprises, and even the most beloved shows go through major changes over time.

As one fan-favourite series returns for a new season, viewers will notice some unexpected absences—but also a long-awaited comeback that’s sure to spark conversation.

With fresh faces and familiar favourites in the mix, this season promises to be different from what fans are used to.


Gogglebox Australia returned for its twenty-first season this week with a notable change—longtime cast members the Silbery family were no longer part of the show.

Isabelle Silbery had announced in November that she and her mother Kerry would not be returning after nine years.

She explained that Foxtel had not renewed the series and they had ‘not been included’ in the new version airing on Channel 10.


While viewers would no doubt miss the multi-generational family, a familiar face made a comeback after a two-year break.

Sarah Marie Fahd, who first joined Gogglebox Australia in 2017 with her husband Matty and their best friend Jad Nehmetallah, returned to the couch after being on maternity leave.

‘I’m so excited to be back,’ she said.

‘Being able to join my boys again makes me feel so happy because the last few seasons I've been on the sidelines and Matt would be like, “Remember, you're not on the show right now!”. There are so many things I wish I could have said!’


Sarah had stepped away from filming after the birth of her second child, Lyon, who required more attention than his older brother Malik.

She explained that while Malik had been able to sit with them during filming, Lyon needed to be constantly held.

‘There’s no way I would have been able to even sit and watch TV with Lyon. There were days where he would cry unless I carried him and I would just have him strapped to my chest, so I was like, it's not gonna work with this one,’ she said with a laugh.

She also shared that her own well-being played a major role in her decision to take a break.

‘Also just mentally, I'm in a much better place. I think mental health is really, really difficult when you've got little ones and hormones and stuff to juggle, so that was also a really big factor and I just mentally couldn't do all of that. Whereas right now, I’m myself again. I feel like it just ticked over to 2025 and something in me was like, I’m good now. I’m finally in a better place.’

With both Malik and Lyon now old enough to sit on the couch, Sarah said it was the right time to return, though she had carefully considered whether to involve her children.


She felt reassured knowing that Gogglebox Australia was different from other reality shows, which often attracted intense scrutiny on social media.

‘Gogglebox is just such a lovely show about mixing different nationalities and different personalities, and the people who watch the show are a wide range of people who can relate to you and relate to other families,’ she said.

‘I’ve never met anyone who's not been very respectful, even on the street. It’s just a lovely show to be on, so I was able to trust [producers] with having Malik on the show. Otherwise, I wouldn't have him on there for sure.’


Alongside Sarah Marie, Matty and Jad, this season of Gogglebox Australia featured several returning cast members. Symon and Adam, Anastasia and Faye, and the Dalton family all made a comeback.

Keith and Lee, Tim and Leanne, and Milo and Nic also returned to the couch.

The Delpechitra family, Kevin, Bob, Mia & Jared, and Mia, Bree & Lainey rounded out the lineup for the new season.


With long-time favourites departing and familiar faces making a comeback, this season of Gogglebox Australia is shaping up to be an interesting one.

Which cast members will you miss the most, and are you excited to see Sarah Marie back on the couch? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!