This Show Was Rejected for 5 Years—Now It’s Blowing Up on Netflix

It's the perfect cozy binge for fall

GreatBritishBakingShow
Courtesy of Netflix

There’s an inspirational quote that goes something like, “It only takes one yes.” It's meant for anyone chasing their dreams who’s been hit with a whole lot of no’s along the way. And right now, there’s a Netflix show that’s basically the living, baking, butter-filled embodiment of that quote. It’s currently sitting pretty in Netflix’s Top 10 (at #4, no less) and it almost didn’t happen. The show? The Great British Baking Show.

Known as The Great British Bake Off in the UK, the series is a beloved baking competition that brings together a dozen amateur bakers, who compete in weekly challenges designed to impress the judges. With each round, one baker is sent home and three make it to the finale where one is crowned the winner.

GreatBritishBakingShow
Courtesy of Netflix

The latest season (a.k.a. Collection 13) premiered on Netflix on September 5, with new episodes rolling out every Friday. But here’s the wild part: this feel-good hit almost never made it to air. Co-creator Richard McKerrow recently shared with Watch in America that Bake Off was rejected by networks for years.

“We pitched Bake Off for four or five years. We were told it would be like watching paint dry, no one was interested,” McKerrow said.

Well… clearly, they were very wrong.

As for the new season, familiar faces are back in the tent: Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith return as judges, while comedian Noel Fielding and TV host Alison Hammond are back as co-hosts.

This time around, the 12 contestants range in age from 23 to 59 and bring some seriously fun backgrounds to the table. Among them? A scientist, an engineer, a medical student, two hairdressers, a pickled food fanatic, a blue belt in jiu-jitsu and even an amateur drag king.

Whether you’re in it for the bakes, the British accents or the sheer comfort of it all, The Great British Baking Show is streaming now on Netflix.

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