The Simpler Life: release date of Channel 4 reality series, what’s it about and who is in the cast?

Everyone at one point or another feels the need to step back and take a break from the stresses of modern life.

That’s exactly what 24 volunteers have done for brand-new six-part, Channel 4 series, The Simpler Life.

The show will follow the volunteers for six months as they leave their lives behind, and take on an Amish lifestyle, which means no technology or electricity.

This is what you need to know about the new series - and when it’s on TV.

Who is taking part in the Simpler Life?

The volunteers include a social media content creator, a rapper, former soldier, PA and barman.

Fran Hogan, 34, an IT project manager, admits that she was miserable in her life and needed a challenge, before taking part in the show.

Kevin, 25, a barman from Wigan, would experience a lot of pain with colitis [an inflammation of the colon], was underweight and lacked confidence.

Penny, 44, a former PA from London, decided to take part with her two daughters, Dilara, 15, and Azara, nine after being caught up in a disastrous earthquake in Turkey in 2020, then catching Covid and being admitted to hospital.

Other cast members include:

• Brother and sister Jacob, 21, and Poppy, 16, from Manchester
• Twin brothers Jamie and Jerome, 21, from South London
• Couple Joseph, 34, and Victoria, 28, from West London
• Harry, 40, from Gloucestershire
• Maty, 24 from Bristol
• Couple Andrew, 53, and Gary, 50, and adopted sons Ki, 11, and Tommy, six, from Portsmouth
• Engaged couple Darren, 48, and Hazel, 52, from Bradford
• Toby, 56, from Lincolnshire
• Couple Frankie, 35, and Keely, 32, and children Dylan, 10 and Dolcie, eight, from Norfolk

Where will the volunteers live?

They cast of the show will live with Amish family the Millers on a 40-acre farm in Devon, and will be guided  on how to live simply.

The Millers run a dairy farm in Amish Country Ohio, and are part of the strict Christian community there.

They live without cars, phones, gas and electricity, and embrace simple living, plain dress, church, and follow traditional gender roles where men work and women stay at home and care for the children.

Lloyd and Edna Miller have six children and seven grandchildren.

Lloyd said: “It’s a huge community and we are very involved, we all help each other. It feels so comfortable and protected - we’re really there for each other.

“We did the programme because it was burning in us to show what we have. I hurt for the younger generation, who are so isolated and plugged into technology - there is nothing like a physical handshake or eye contact.”

Edna adds: “I’m a homemaker, in the morning I help with the chores, the milking, then I take care of the home, cooking, cleaning. I do my own sewing.”

When is The Simpler Life on TV?

You will be able to watch the first episode of The Simpler Life on Tuesday March 22,  on Channel 4 at 9.15pm.

The show continues on Wednesday 23 March, with the second episode airing at 9pm.

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