The Circle (American TV series) season 5

The Circle Singles
Season 5
Promotional image
Presented by	Michelle Buteau
No. of days	13
No. of contestants	13
Winner	Sam Carmona
Runner-up	Chaz Lawery
No. of episodes	13
Release
Original network	Netflix
Original release	December 28, 2022 (2022-12-28) – January 18, 2023 (2023-01-18)
Season chronology
← Previous Season 4 Next → Season 6
List of episodes

The fifth season of the American reality competition streaming series The Circle premiered on Netflix on December 28, 2022. Michelle Buteau returned as host. The season is the first to have a subtitle, known as The Circle Singles. Players compete without ever actually meeting in person; they communicate through a simulated social media interface, portraying themselves in any way they choose.

Format

Main article: The Circle (American TV series) § Format

The players move into the same apartment building. However, the contestants do not meet face-to-face during the course of the competition, as they each live in their own individual apartment. They communicate solely using their profiles on a specially-designed social media app that gives them the ability to portray themselves in any way they choose. Players can thus opt to present themselves as a completely different personality to the other players, a tactic otherwise known as catfishing. ^[1]

Throughout the series, the contestants "rate" one another from first to last place. At the end of the ratings, their average ratings are revealed to one another from lowest to highest. Normally, the two highest-rated players become "Influencers", while the remaining players will be at risk of being "blocked" by the Influencers. However, occasionally there may be a twist to the blocking process – varying from the lowest rating players being instantly blocked, the identity of the Influencers being a secret, or multiple players being blocked at one time. Blocked players are eliminated from the game, but are given the opportunity to meet one player still in the game in-person. Then, the day after a blocking, a video message is shown to the remaining players to reveal if they were real or fake. ^[1]

During the finale, the contestants rate each other one final time, where the highest rated player wins the game and US$100,000. ^[2]

Production

Development and release

The season was announced on August 9, 2021 when Netflix renewed The Circle for a fourth and fifth season prior the premiere of the third season. ^[3] Michelle Buteau, who hosted the first four seasons, returned for the fifth. ^[4]

Casting and filming

Filming for the season took place directly after principal photography for the fourth season, in Fall 2021 at an apartment complex in Manchester, England. The same complex that was used during previous seasons and other versions of the series. The apartment complex is prepared with twelve furnished and ready-to-use apartments for the players to live in. ^{[5] [6]}

After the third season began airing, casting for the fourth and fifth seasons opened on April 12, 2021. ^{[7] [8]} The initial members of the cast were revealed on December 9, 2022. ^[9]

Players

Main article: List of The Circle (American TV series) contestants

For the first time in the history of the show, the casting process only included those who consider themselves not in a relationship or those who want to portray themselves as not in a relationship. ^[10] The first twelve contestants were announced on December 9, 2022. ^[11] Among the cast is Brett Robinson, a contestant from Big Brother 20, the first deaf contestant Raven Sutton and her interpreter Paris McTizic ^[12] and the first returning player, with season one runner-up Shubham Goel. ^[13]

Marvin Achi was revealed as a contestant prematurely after being removed from the cast of Big Brother 24, ^[14] after failing to inform the producers of Big Brother that he had competed on The Circle. He had also participated in America's Got Talent. ^[15]

'The Circle' Season 5 Contestants (Ages stated are at start of contest) ^[9]

Name	Age	Playing as		Entered [13]	Exited	Status	Ref.
Brian Clark	47	"Brittney", his daughter		Episode 1	Episode 4	Blocked	[16]
Billie-Jean Blackett	25	"Bruno", her ex		Episode 1	Episode 6	Blocked	[17]
Shubham Goel	26	"Sasha", a 23-year-old blogger		Episode 5	Episode 8	Blocked	[13] [18]
Marvin Achi	27	Himself but listing occupation as "Personal Trainer"		Episode 1	Episode 11	Blocked	[19]
Tom Houghton	36	Himself, but single		Episode 2	Episode 12	Blocked	[20]
Oliver Twixt	26	Himself		Episode 7	Episode 13	Blocked	[21]
Brett Robinson	28	Himself	"Jennifer", [lower-alpha 1] a 51 year-old single dog trainer	Episode 1	Episode 13	Fifth place	[22]
Xanthi Perdikomatis	25	Herself, but listing occupation as "Pre-School Teacher"		Episode 1			[23]
Tasia Lesley	28	"Tamira", a 22-year-old cosmetologist		Episode 5	Episode 13	Fourth place	[24]
Raven Sutton	26	Herself, with her friend Paris as her interpreter		Episode 1	Episode 13	Third place	[25]
Paris McTizic	-
Chaz Lawery	28	Himself, but a nurse and single		Episode 1	Episode 13	Runner-up	[26]
Samantha "Sam" Carmona	34	Herself		Episode 1	Episode 13	Winner	[27]

1. After being blocked in the first episode, Brett and Xanthi were given the opportunity to join forces and portray "Jennifer" as a second chance.

Other appearances

Brett Robinson appeared in the 20th season of Big Brother.

Marvin Achi appeared in the first season of the joint Nigerian/South African edition of Big Brother, titled Big Brother Titans representing Nigeria. ^[28]

In 2024, Xanthi appeared on the second season of Perfect Match .

Episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title  [29]	Day(s)	Original release date  [29] [10]	Prod. code  [29]	Ref.
Week 1
52	1	"Single and Ready To Mingle"	Day 1	December 28, 2022 (2022-12-28)	TC-501	TBA
The first four players; Xanthi who is a model portraying herself as a preschool teacher, Brian who is playing as his daughter Brittany, Brett, and Raven who is with her interpreter Paris. After entering The Circle and creating their profiles, the first four players met for the first time via circle chat. Afterwards, the last four players entered; Marvin who is portraying himself as a personal trainer, Sam, Chaz and Billie-Jean who is portraying her ex Bruno. Shortly after entering, the four new players entered the circle chat with the rest of the cast. The players are tasked with rating each other for the first time. After the ratings are complete, the players participate in game entitled "Who Are You?", answering questions about their personalities. The players spend the remainder of the day chatting with one another privately, until being forced by the Circle to publicly state who each player would block if they were an influencer with whoever the influencers' chose being blocked from the game. Being an influencer, Raven chose Brett, blocking him from the Circle.
53	2	"An Unlikely Team Emerges"	Days 1-2	December 28, 2022 (2022-12-28)	TC-502	TBA
Chaz chose Xanthi, blocking her from the Circle. After being blocked, Brett and Xanthi are given a second chance to play together as "Jennifer". The next morning, the players receive video messages from Xanthi and Brett and the results of the previous nights ratings. A skeptical Sam, who placed last during the ratings, begins chatting with each player to question why she was rated the way she was. New player Tom enters the Circle, alongside Brett & Xanthi/Jennifer. The players participate in "Talk Flirty to Me", a game, which ultimately ends with Brett & Xanthi/Jennifer inviting Tom on a "date".
54	3	"I Can’t Believe I Just Sent That…"	Day 3	December 28, 2022 (2022-12-28)	TC-503	TBA
The male players and the female players spend the morning in separate group chats. The players are tasked with playing a game of Truth or Dare which ultimately leads to a shift of suspicion towards Brian/Brittany, which Brett & Xanthi/Jennifer initiated. Raven starts a private one-on-one chat with Marvin, with Raven developing a crush on the latter. The players are later tasked with rating one another and later partake in a party. The ratings are revealed to the players, with Brian/Brittany in last place and Chaz and Raven in the top two influencer spots.
55	4	"Who to Save?"	Days 3-4	December 28, 2022 (2022-12-28)	TC-504	TBA
Prior to their influencer discussion, Chaz and Raven were tasked with saving a player of their choice. Ultimately, Chaz chose to save Sam and Raven chose to save Marvin. The players later partake in "Single Pringles", a game where the players must create a dating profile for another player. Chaz and Raven meet in the hangout to discuss who they should block, and with only two options (Brian/Brittany and Billie-Jean/Bruno) they ultimately decide to block Brian/Brittany. Brian/Brittany visits a shocked Raven before exiting the Circle for good.
Week 2
56	5	"Hi Old Friend"	Days 4-5	January 4, 2023 (2023-01-04)	TC-505	TBA
New players Shubham and Tasia who are playing as "Sasha" and "Tamira" respectively, enter the Circle and create their profiles.
57	6	"A Desperate Alliance"	Days 5-6	January 4, 2023 (2023-01-04)	TC-506	TBA
58	7	"Glam Party Twist"	Days 6-7	January 4, 2023 (2023-01-04)	TC-507	TBA
59	8	"An F-Boy Is Exposed"	Days 7-8	January 4, 2023 (2023-01-04)	TC-508	TBA
Week 3
60	9	"Return of the Inner Circle"	Days 8-9	January 11, 2023 (2023-01-11)	TC-509	TBA
61	10	"The Hunt for the Hacker"	Days 9-10	January 11, 2023 (2023-01-11)	TC-510	TBA
62	11	"Circle Power Couple"	Days 10-11	January 11, 2023 (2023-01-11)	TC-511	TBA
63	12	"A Brutal Blocking"	Days 11-12	January 11, 2023 (2023-01-11)	TC-512	TBA
Week 4
64	13	"Finale"	Days 12-13	January 18, 2023 (2023-01-18)	TC-513	TBA

Results and elimination

Color key

  The contestant was blocked.

  The contestant was an influencer.

  The contestant was immune from being blocked.

  The player was at risk of being blocked following a twist

  This player was blocked, but returned under a different profile

		Episode 1	Episode 3	Episode 6	Episode 8	Episode 10	Episode 12	Episode 13 (Final)
Sam		8th	3rd	Voted for Tamira	5th	2nd	Not published	Winner (Episode 13)
Chaz		2nd	1st	Voted for Tamira	2nd	3rd	Not published	Runner-up (Episode 13)
Raven		1st	2nd	Voted for Tamira	4th	1st	Not published	Third Place (Episode 13)
Tasia "Tamira"		Not in The Circle		Exempt	6th	8th	Not published	Fourth Place (Episode 13)
Brett	"Jennifer"	5th	Exempt	Voted for Sasha	3rd	6th	Not published	Fifth Place (Episode 13)
Xanthi		7th
Oliver		Not in The Circle			Exempt	4th	Not published	Blocked (Episode 13)
Tom		Not in The Circle	Exempt	Voted for Tamira	1st	5th	7th	Blocked (Episode 12)
Marvin		4th	4th	Voted for Tamira	8th	7th	Blocked (Episode 11)
Shubham "Sasha"		Not in The Circle		Exempt	7th	Blocked (Episode 8)
Billie-Jean "Bruno"		3rd	5th	Voted for Sasha	Blocked (Episode 6)
Brian "Brittney"		6th	6th	Blocked (Episode 4)
Notes		1 , 2	3	4	none		5	6
Influencer(s)		Raven, Chaz	Chaz, Raven	Shubham	Tom, Chaz	Raven, Sam	Chaz	none
Blocked		Brett Raven's choice to block	Brian "Brittney" Influencers' choice to block	Billie-Jean "Bruno" Shubham's choice to block	Shubham "Sasha" Influencers' choice to block	Marvin Influencers' choice to block	Tom Lowest- rated player	Brett & Xanthi "Jennifer" Lowest rated player	Tasia "Tamira" Fourth highest rated player
		Xanthi Chaz's choice to block					Oliver Superinfluencer's choice to block	Raven Third highest rated player	Chaz Second highest rated player
								Sam Highest rated player

Notes

• ^Note 1: Prior to the ratings reveal, each player was tasked with stating who they would block from the Circle if they were an influencer. Being in the top two spots, Raven chose Brett while Chaz chose Xanthi, forcing Brett and Xanthi to be blocked from the Circle.
• ^Note 2:   After being blocked, Brett and Xanthi were given an opportunity to return to the game under a new profile known as "Jennifer".
• ^Note 3:   Prior to their influencer discussion, Chaz chose to save Sam and Raven chose to save Marvin from elimination.
• ^Note 4: "Sasha" and "Tamira" competed in a mission to gain more followers; Tamira and her group won, gaining immunity from the blocking  , while Sasha was forced to block one of the remaining players  .
• ^Note 5: The players' ratings were not revealed, instead the highest rated player would become a superinfluencer. Chaz placed the highest.  
• ^Note 6: The players made their final ratings.

References

1. Kuchera, Ben (January 10, 2020). "Netflix's The Circle is the sweetest reality show about catfishing". Polygon . Retrieved January 10, 2020.
2. WROC Staff (January 15, 2020). "The Circle spoilers: How ROC native Joey Sasso finished on Netflix's new reality show". rochesterfirst.com. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
3. White, Peter (August 9, 2021). "'The Circle', 'Indian Matchmaking' & 'The American Barbecue Showdown' Renewed At Netflix". Deadline Hollywood .
4. @MichelleButeau (December 10, 2019). "I'm hosting this show & you should watch 👇🏽✨💯" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
5. Haylock, Zoe (January 21, 2020). "The Circle's Creator Guides Us Through the Show's Beautiful Web of Lies". vulture.com. Vulture. Archived from the original on April 24, 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
6. Netflix (January 14, 2020). "Go Inside The Circle Apartment Complex with Michelle Buteau – Netflix". youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
7. @CastingTheCircleUS (April 12, 2021). "ALERT! Applications are now OPEN for possible future seasons of #TheCircle USA 🇺🇸 APPLY NOW - thecirclecasting.com" (Tweet). Retrieved May 19, 2022– via Twitter.
8. "'The Circle' Casting". thecirclecasting.com.
9. Bobic, Chrissy (December 9, 2022). "Meet 'The Circle's Season 5 Cast Full of Catfish and Singles Ready To Play the Game". Distractify. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
10. The Circle on Netflix (November 22, 2022). "🚨 ALERT 🚨 The Circle is BACK & singles have entered the chat 👀 The first episodes of season 5 drop December 28th! Only on Netflix". Twitter .
11. "Meet the Cast of The Circle Season 5". E! Online. December 9, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
12. @PopCrave (December 12, 2022). "Season 5 of Netflix's #TheCircle set to feature the show's first deaf contestant in performer and disability advocate, Raven Sutton. She will be joined by her interpreter, Paris" (Tweet). Retrieved December 27, 2022– via Twitter.
13. @CircleNetflx (December 12, 2022). "🚨ALERT!🚨 The Circle is back -- and it is going down in the DM's 😘 Season 5 drops December 28, only on Netflix. (ALSO, HIII SHOOBY, 👋)️" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
14. "'Big Brother' Season 24 Replaces Contestant Day Before Premiere, Announces Cast Update | Entertainment Tonight". www.etonline.com. July 5, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
15. "Marvin Aichi Full Performance | America's Got Talent 2022 Auditions Week 2 S17E02". YouTube .
16. @CircleNetflix (December 9, 2022). "they say it takes one to know one. that's why Brian aka Brittney plans to sniff out the fakes as his daughter, Brittney ❤️" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
17. @CircleNetflix (December 9, 2022). "say hello to Billie Jean. she's not afraid to catfish her way to the top. 🐟 just ask her ex, the guy she's entering The Circle as" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
18. @CircleNetflix (December 9, 2022). "hmm… who could it be? a familiar face is returning to The Circle. cast your votes below 👀" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
19. @CircleNetflix (December 9, 2022). "Marvin has the looks, the physique, and the intelligence. And to win The Circle, the chemical engineer plans on turning it up a notch 🔥🔥" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
20. @CircleNetflix (December 9, 2022). "meet Tom! This cheeky chap traded living in the Tower of London for a spot on the The Circle. 🇬🇧 (no, seriously… he lives in the Tower of London)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
21. @CircleNetflix (December 9, 2022). "it pays to be yourself. at least that's what the self-described fun, fierce, and fabulous Oliver is banking on" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
22. @CircleNetflix (December 9, 2022). "somebody get this man some ice. hot boy Brett is entering The Circle" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
23. @CircleNetflix (December 9, 2022). "Xanthi may be a model outside The Circle, but inside, she's a pre-school teacher looking for a teachers pet" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
24. @CircleNetflix (December 9, 2022). "meet Tasia - the CEO of comfy is stepping up her game serving #GlamGirl as Tamira. 💅" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
25. @CircleNetflix (December 9, 2022). "meet Raven - a social worker playing the game like never before. her interpreter + bestie Paris is along for the ride, but she's the one calling allll the shots" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
26. @CircleNetflix (December 9, 2022). "with his high energy and never-quit attitude, Chaz is going to laugh his way to the top. irl he's a mobile car detailer but in The Circle, they call him Nurse Chaz 😏" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
27. @CircleNetflix (December 9, 2022). "don't be fooled. Sam might be the spiciest thing ever to enter The Circle but really, she's squishy like jello" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
28. Ige, Tofarati (January 15, 2023). "20 housemates compete for Big Brother Titans' $100,000". Punch. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
29. "The Circle Episode Listings". The Futon Critic . Retrieved July 31, 2022.