Naked and Afraid XL
Naked and Afraid XL is an American reality television series that premiered on the Discovery Channel in 2015.
This series is a spin-off of Naked and Afraid. A group of people are given the task of surviving in the wilderness for an extended period into a 40-day challenge, nineteen more days than the original series' 21-day challenge. The XL title plays as a visual pun for the title, as it also represents the Roman numeral for 40. Each survivalist is only allowed to bring one or two helpful items of their choosing. They are not given any other items, clothing, food, or water. The camera crews are not allowed to intervene, except for medical emergencies. Any member of the cast is allowed to withdraw at any time, meaning he or she decides not to continue with the task and goes home. The contestants hunt, trap, and gather their food in the wild and build shelters with their own hands and the available material found in the nature. At the end of the period, the remaining survivalist must arrive at the designated extraction point. The success of this last task indicates their ability to survive in a harsh environment for a long period of time. No cash prize has been announced for successful XL participants.
Episodes
Season 1 (2015)
The first season takes place in Colombia.Results
All of twelve contestants were separated into four teams of three in the first day of the 40-day challenge. During the challenge period, Dani, Hakim and Shane tapped out before they could complete, resulting with sickness or quit for personal reasons, and Honora threw her teammates' survival tools into the river before tapping out. Midway through the challenge, the remaining eight people formed two teams.Season 2 (2016)
The second season takes place in South Africa.Results
Angel Rodriguez, Carrie Booze, Clarence Gilmer II, Jake Nodar, Kim Kelly, Phaedra Brothers, Ryan Holt and Tawny Lynn, all tapped out due to medical issues or personal choice. On day 39, the four remaining survivors now have fishing hooks and are able to harvest a considerable amount of fish. Clarence Gilmer II had fish hooks and caught fish, which he shared with his teammates before he tapped out due to medical condition. Clarence did not have a fishing pole or atlatl. Steven Lee Hall Jr. did have an atlatl which he used in an attempt to hunt wild boars, however, he was unsuccessful. He then decided to combine his atlatl with Clarence's fish hooks to form proper fishing poles.Season 3 (2017)
The third season takes place in Ecuador’s Amazon basin and was shot in October and November 2016.The series premiered on Sunday, April 23, 2017.
Results
Matt Wright, Russell Sage, Charlie Frattini, Lacey Jones, and Matt Alexander all tapped out because of medical issues or personal choice. On Day 20, Chance Davis joined the group from his Naked and Afraid challenge, and he stayed with the XL group until they finished on Day 40.Season 4 (2018)
Season 4 was filmed in the basin of Selati River in South Africa in October and November 2017. It first aired on April 29, 2018. The season's theme is All Stars.Participants
The survivalists are divided into 4 teams of 3, along with one survivalist who wants to complete the challenge alone, broken up into 5 locations:- Shosho Ravine: Jeremy, Gary, and Trent.
- Noja Cliffs: Melissa, Kaila and Lindsey.
- Makubu Gorge: Lacey, Shane and Clarence.
- Pitsi Flats: Sarah, Duck and Melanie.
- Kolobe Plains: Matt.
Results
Lacey Jones, Clarence Gilmer II, Dustin Campbell, Melanie Rauscher and Jeremy McCaa all tapped out because of medical issues or personal choice. Matt Wright completed his solo quest, reuniting with the other survivalists on Day 24.Season 5 (2019)
On May 14, 2019, it was announced that the fifth season would premiere on June 2, 2019.This season's all-star cast faced the challenges of remote areas in the island of Palawan of the Philippines. Four teams of three arrived by boat and were dropped into the South China Sea, forcing them to swim through shark-infested waters to make camp on deserted islands. Some of the survivalists were seeking redemption for obstacles faced in prior seasons.
In addition, two all-stars embarked early on an unprecedented 60-day challenge in jungles of the Philippines, then joined the others for the remaining 40 days. Jeff and Laura's early journey premiered on Discovery's Naked and Afraid: Savage on May 19, 2019.
Participants
| Survivalist | Prior Challenge | Initial PSR | Notes |
| Gabrielle Balassone | S7 - 14 days in South Africa S9 - 21 days in Mississippi | 8.3 | |
| Duke Brady | S9 - 21 days in Florida | 7.6 | |
| Dustin "Duck" Campbell | S8 - 21 days in Belize XL4 | 7.1 | Tapped out of XL Season 4. Did not complete XL Season 5: Tapped out - commitment to leave with Charlie. Episode 8 - Day 25. |
| Max Djenohan | S9 - 14 days in Panama S10 - 21 days in Panama | 6.7 | |
| Charlie Frattini | S4 - 21 days in Colombia XL3 | 7.5 | Did not complete XL Season 3 Medically evacuated due to torn tendon. Episode 1 - Day 1 Did not complete XL Season 5: Medically evacuated due to abnormal heartbeat. Episode 8 - Day 25 |
| Angela Hammer | S9 - Panama S9 - 21 days in South Africa | 7.1 | |
| James Lewis | S9 - 21 days in Nicaragua | 8.5 | |
| Christina McQueen | S4 - 21 days in Quintana Roo | 6.7 | Did not complete XL Season 5: Medically evacuated due to a severe urinary tract infection. Episode 4 - Day 11. |
| Rylie Parlett | S9 - 21 days in Honduras | 7.1 | |
| Russell Sage | S1 - 21 days in Panama XL3 | 7.9 | Tapped out of XL Season 3. Did not complete XL Season 5: Medically evacuated due to bite of an unidentifiable snake. |
| Nicole Terry | S6 - 21 days in Nicaragua | 6.1 | |
| Manu Toigo | S1 - 21 days in Panama | 8.0 | Did not complete XL Season 5: Tapped out - concern over her sick brother. Episode 3 - Day 7. |
| Jeff Zausch | S2 - 21 days in Madagascar XL1 - 40 days in Colombia Savage 2 | 9.1 | With Laura, accomplished 60-day XL challenge. |
| Laura Zerra | S1 - 21 days in Panama S2 - 21 days in Peru XL1 - 40 days in Colombia S10 - 14 days in Alaska Savage 2 | 9.5 | With Jeff, accomplished 60-day XL challenge. |
Season 6 (2020)
In a season billed as "Valley of the Banished", survivalists are encouraged to banish the weak. Pairs of survivalists who succeeded in previous challenges are grouped with one who failed a prior attempt.Participants
| Survivalist | Prior Challenge | Initial PSR | Notes |
| Sarah Bartell | S10 - Ecuador | 8.1 | |
| Joshua Bell | S3 - Nicaragua | 4.3 | Banished by Gwen and Wes, immediately tapped out rather than continue. Episode 1, Day 3. |
| Jon Bonessi | S11 - Philippines | 8.2 | |
| Dawn Dussault | S7 - Montserrat | 4.4 | Tapped out due to fear. Episode 1, Day 2. |
| Ryan Eacret | S11- Africa | 5.7 | Medically evacuated due to mental issues. Episode 10, Day 31. |
| Bulent Gurcan | S10 - Colombia S11 - Mexico | 7.4 | Abandoned by Kate, then Makani, then banished by Sarah, Jon, Gwen, and Suzanne. Spent the majority of the challenge alone. |
| Gwen Grimes | S10 - Mexico | 8.4 | |
| Wes Harper | S10 - Brazil | 7.4 | Medically tapped due to bowel obstruction. Episode 9, Day 28. |
| Makani Nalu | S10 - Ecuador | 6.0 | Self-banished from Bulent. Tapped out voluntarily after being narrowly resuscitated from heatstroke by medics. Episode 5, Day 14. |
| Seth Reece | S10 - Panama | 4.0 | Abandoned by Suzanne. Rejected by Bulent. Sustained heatstroke and tapped out voluntarily before medics could evaluate him. Episode 8, Day 24. |
| Kate Wentworth | S10 - Panama | 5.0 | Self-banished from Bulent and Makani. Tapped out voluntarily. Episode 4, Day 10. |
| Suzänne Zeta | S9 - Brazil | 8.7 | Self-banished from Seth. |
The survivalists start grouped into 4 teams of 3, in 4 locations:
Northwest: Gwen, Wes, and Josh.
Southeast: Dawn, Suzänne, and Seth.
Northeast: Makani, Bulent, and Kate.
Southwest: Jon, Sarah, and Ryan.
Results
Of the twelve participants, only five completed the challenge: Sarah, Gwen, Suzänne and Jon who formed a single team and Bulent alone.Season 7 (2021)
With no food, water, or clothes a group of the best survival experts in the world take on the Atchafalaya Basin, the largest wetland and swamp on the country, located in south-central Louisiana. The location is full of murky waters and has predators lurking all over its 7,000 acres vast land. The first Naked and Afraid XL challenge where all survivalists attempt 60 days and 60 nights in order to become XL Legends.Participants
The survivalists are divided into 4 teams of 3, in 4 locations:North: Matt, Riley, and Ryan.
South: Steven, Lacey, and Jeff.
West: Max, Amber, and Gary.
East: EJ, Sarah, and Suzänne.
On Day 30, Gary and Max set off for a new area and joined EJ in the East.
On Day 35, Jeff and Steven set off for a new area and joined Matt, Riley, and Ryan in the North as Neighbors, not teammates.
On Day 51, the remaining survivalists met up on their trek toward the extraction point and joined forces.
Season 8 (2022)
On April 8, 2022, it was announced that the eighth season would premiere on May 1, 2022. Season 8 is set in a Peruvian rainforest and is named Naked and Afraid XL: Next Level. During this season, four Naked and Afraid XL veterans attempted an epic 60-day challenge while leading a new generation of survivalists embarking on their first 40 days.Participants
The survivalists are divided into 4 teams of 3, in 4 locations:- Jamie, Dan, Kaila
- Steven, Tim, Lisa
- Gary, Waz, Rod
- Amber, Jen, Trish
On Day 21, three Legends return and join each of the three remaining groups. Jeff joins Amber, Trish and Jen. Matt joins Dan and Waz. EJ joins Steven.
On Day 28, EJ and Steven move to the previous campsite left by Waz.
On Day 30, Amber sets off on her own, leaving Jen and Trish. She joins Steven and EJ.
On Day 44, the remaining 6 survivalists join forces to complete the challenge.
Season 9 (2022)
On July 6, 2022, it was announced that the ninth season would premiere on July 31, 2022. Season 9 is set in the frozen Rocky Mountains of Montana, USA and is named Naked and Afraid XL: Frozen. Filming location is set in the valley below Emigrant Peak near Merriman Montana. Because of the extreme cold, participants are given animal hides to use/wear and the length of the challenge is 14 days instead of 40.Participants
| Survivalist | Prior Challenge | FSR | Notes |
| Waz Addy | S12 - Florida XL8 - Amazon | ||
| Gabrielle Balassone | S7 - South Africa S9 - Mississippi XL5 - Philippines | ||
| Sarah Bartell | S10 - Ecuador XL6 - Africa | ||
| Rod Biggs | S12 - Africa XL8 - Amazon | voluntarily Taps Ep 2 due to Back Issues | - |
| Trish Bulinsky | S10 - Colombia XL8 - Amazon | ||
| Sara Burkett | S10 - Panama S11 - Mexico | Medically Tapped Ep 5 due to Low Oxygen and Fever | - |
| Ky Furneaux | S1 - Louisiana S9 - Bahamas S11 - Ecuador | ||
| Wes Harper | S9 - Brazil XL6 - South Africa S12 - Ecuador | ||
| Jermaine Jackson | S9 - Tennessee | ||
| Jeremy McCaa | S5 - Philippines S7 - Louisiana XL4 - South Africa | ||
| Jake Nodar | S6 - Amazon/Colombia/Florida Black Water Swamp XL2 - South Africa | ||
| Joe Ortlip | S12 - Montana | Medically Tapped Ep 4 due to Continuously High Heart Rate | - |
Season 10 (2024)
A fresh crop of survivalists takes on their first XL challenge in Colombia's Badlands, an area teeming with disease-carrying insects, venomous snakes, stalking jaguars and six-foot caimans. For the first time, survivalists must trek 40 miles in 40 days.The 2024 season kicked off on May 12, 2024 with an episode entitled, Enter the Proving Grounds. The tagline is "The ultimate survival challenge just got harder. 40 miles. 40 days. 40 nights. No food, water or clothes."
Contestants start as four groups of three people.
Participants
| Survivalist | Prior Challenge | FSR | Notes |
| Adam Kavanagh | S12 Africa | ||
| Andrew Shayde | S12 S15 Castaways | voluntarily Taps Day 4 due to Hand Injury | |
| Christopher James | S11 S15 | voluntarily Taps Day 6 due to Unknown Illness | |
| Cole Wilks | S17 | voluntarily Taps Day 4 due to Fear | |
| Heather Smith | S15 Castaways | ||
| Kaiela Hobart | S11 Africa | ||
| Lynsey McCarver | S13 | ||
| Malorie Romero | S15 | ||
| Nathan Martinez | S10 | ||
| Sam Mouzer | S15 | voluntarily Taps Day # due to Multiple Insect Bites and Allergic Reaction | |
| Shell Armogida | S17 | ||
| Terra Short | S14 Solo | Severely injured their hand on Day 3 - Continues On |
The survivalists are divided into 4 teams of 3, in 4 locations
- Kaiela, Cole and Andrew
- Christopher, Malorie and Shell
- Nathan, Terra and Lynsey
- Heather, Adam and Sam
Episodes
Episode 1: The groups start off the longest journey in Naked and Afraid XL History: 40 Miles in 40 Days. Andrew tapped due to a hand injury and Cole tapped the same day due to mental exhaustion and loss of spirit.Episode 2: Chris tapped due to an unknown debilitating sickness.
Episode 3: Sam tapped
Episode 4: No taps. Now alone Kaiela finds and joins Malorie and Shell.
Episode 5: No taps.
Episode 6: Heather and Adam find and join Lynsey, Terra and Nathan.
Episode 7: The tribe of five find and join Malorie, Kaiela and Shell.
Episode 8: All participants, now in one tribe, head to extraction.