Big Brother 2025 (Dutch and Belgian TV series)

Big Brother 2025
Season 5
Presented by	Geraldine Kemper Tatyana Beloy
Release
Original network	Netherlands RTL5 RTL4 (Premiere) Belgium Play4
Original release	6 January 2025 (2025-01-06)
Season chronology

Big Brother 2025 is the fifth cooperation season of the Dutch and Belgian version of Big Brother. It is the eleventh regular version of Big Brother in both Belgium and the Netherlands. The show is broadcast on RTL5 in the Netherlands and Play4 in Belgium beginning on 6 January 2025. Live streams are available 24/7 on Videoland for Dutch viewers and on GoPlay.be and Telenet for Belgian viewers.

In the summer of 2024, when calling for candidates, the program makers announced that the new season would be completely different from previous seasons. At the unveiling of the house in early January 2025, this was confirmed. The house received a complete makeover and was barely furnished. There was also only 1 bed in the only large bedroom. There were several new rooms such as the Decision Room, the Panic Room and the Vault.

In addition to changed spaces in the house, the concept was also greatly altered. For example, the season started back-to-basics and residents had to compete for furniture, their own clothes and food. There were several new game elements. Critics again called the program fun.

The Live show was changed by a short Live Exit Broadcast. Starting in Week 2, a podcast was also recorded in the house.

The budding relationship of Jeffrey Leijzen and Jolien Pede received much attention in the broadcasts. One of the most talked about residents, Lennie Blockmans, left the house after a few weeks for health reasons.

Production

Format

Big Brother 2025 followed the same format as the previous seasons. Housemates lived isolated from the outside world in a custom-built house for a period of 100 days, hoping to be the last one to leave the house as the winner, and walk away with its cash prize.

Concept

Programmers announced in advance that this season everything would be different. At launch, it was announced that basic comforts would no longer be a certainty. The first photos of the house showed a stripped house with a barely furnished house, an enclosed kitchen, locked closets and an outdoor shower. There were also new rooms such as the Decision Room and the Panic Room. In "The Vault," housemates could buy gamechangers to bend the game to their will. In the Decision Room, housemates could make important choices. In the 'Panic Room,' housemates were challenged in different ways. There was a Big Brother suite - a luxurious room to which only the housemates who had access were allowed to go. A boudoir was added.

Not only did the house look different, the game play was also different.

Changes in the concept: - Each resident could create their own prize jackpot, from which only the winner would receive their effective cash prize. - The legacy ("de erfenis"): if a resident was voted out, the residents who had nominated that resident received that resident's money. - The nomination target pin was introduced. - The gamechangers: housemates could buy gamechangers such as double nomination vote, the revenge, the theft, the collector...

Housemates

On January 3, the first ten housemates were announced. Lennie Blockmans was the first transgender candidate in this Dutch and Flemish co-produced Big Brother series. Sharice Van Steelant and Vikaash Lalbiharie entered the house under fake identities, respectively, as Nele and Remi.

Name	Age	Occupation	Country	Residence	Day entered	Day exited	Status
Axel van Wingerden	28	Truck driver	Netherlands	Naaldwijk	9
David Depoot	30	Plasterer	Belgium	Wevelgem	23
David De Saedeleer	51	Contractor	Belgium	Ninove	23
Elsa Rudge	53	Prison guard	Netherlands	Rijnsburg	1
Eva de Graaf	23	Beautician	Netherlands	Haarlem	25
Jane Karto	28	Content creator	Netherlands	Amsterdam	23
Jeffrey Leijzen	24	Unemployed	Belgium	Belsele	1
Jolien Pede	27	Bank employee & Miss Exclusive 2023	Belgium	Zwalm	6
Jordy de Maar	27	Legal assistant	Netherlands	Kampen	1
Keanu Bruijnen	22	Employee bowling center	Netherlands	Maastricht	1
Mattheüs Jonckheere	27	Content creator	Belgium	Sint-Truiden	1
Milena Dadabayeva	33	Account manager IT	Belgium	Mechelen	1
Niels Mestdagh	38	Firefighter & entrepreneur	Belgium	Blankenberge	1
Sharice "Nele" Van Steelant	28	Psychiatric nurse	Belgium	Kortrijk	9
Wicky/Vikaash "Remi" Lalbiharie	26	Port employee	Netherlands	Hoofddorp	6
Lennie Blockmans	26	Student psychology & therapist	Belgium	Antwerp	1	19	Walked
Linda van den Akker	46	Orderpicker	Netherlands	Heesch	1	15	Evicted
Fleur van der Vegt	31	Estate agent	Netherlands	Haarlem	1	8	Evicted

Weekly summary

The main events in the Big Brother house are summarised in the table below.

Week 1
On Day 1, the 10 first housemates entered the house. These were Elsa, Fleur, Jeffrey, Jordy, Keanu, Lennie, Linda, Mattheüs, Milena and Niels. The housemates were given the chance to press a button for an exemption and a personal benefit, or not to press at all and already make a lot of money together. The group unanimously chose not to press. This earned them 100 euros each. In the next assignment, the residents had another chance to print. This time there were eight prizes at stake, from 1,000 euros over a golden key to a can of ravioli. Again, no one pressed. Once again 100 euros per person was handed out. On the last round, the housemates were obliged to press, but with a twist: the fastest and the slowest would be penalized. Jordy pressed first, Keanu last - and both received a nomination target pin. This week, only they could be nominated. The rest of the group was allowed to choose a prize and enter the house. Once inside, the housemates quickly discovered that comfort was far away and the only food was "slob." Elsa, thanks to her choice of mystery box, was able to enter the "Big Brother" suite with the golden key. She chose Linda to accompany her. When the housemates introduced themselves to each other, Lennie's sex change came up. The fellow housemates listened with admiration to the path she has already taken. On Day 2, housemates were awakened by an alarm. This was the shower alarm. During this alarm there was hot water in the showers. Each housemate was allowed a maximum of 5min to shower with hot water. Niels was called to the Decision Room by the prize he had chosen the day before. One resident was allowed to accompany him: this was Jeffrey. Both got the pin with 'Decision maker'. Later they could decide to buy food with the residents' personal jackpots, this they did. Lennie was called to the jackpot because she had chosen the clothing token the day before. She was allowed to open her closet but was not allowed to share her clothes with anyone. Linda was able to go to the Vault because of her choice of the key on the first day but there she decided not to buy a gamechanger. Keanu struggled because he has trouble opening up with new people, saying that few people really know him. During Day 3, the decision makers must assemble two teams. Team green consists of Niels, Elsa, Jordy, Keanu & Milena. Team pink consists of Jeffrey, Fleur, Lennie, Linda & Mattheüs. The teams compete against each other in the game area and must keep their balance via a pendulum course to reach the other side in group. Team pink wins. They receive a cash prize of 1,000 euros and a clothing token. The clothing token is unanimously given to Fleur. In the Decision Room, the members of team pink get to choose one by one how much of the money they won they will take for their personal jackpot. As previously agreed, they each choose a fifth, which is 200 euros. In the afternoon, the decision makers must put together a group of 5 housemates for an assignment where the first part of the kitchen can be unlocked. Jeffrey chooses for himself, Jordy, Keanu, Lennie and Matthew. They have to keep a ball with poles in the air for 2 hours. The group succeeds and a part of the kitchen is opened allowing the housemates to cook and they have a refrigerator. Decision maker Niels regrets that he was not involved in the composition of the group. On Day 4, decision makers must give three other housemates a nomination target pin. Each housemate must give a motivation as to why they do not deserve this pin. Decision makers Jeffrey & Niels are not on the same page. Jeffrey is having a very hard time because he sees Elsa as a mother figure to him. Without explanation, the decision makers give Milena, Fleur and Elsa a pin in this order. Later that day, all housemates have to name three housemates from the group of housemates with target pin - Elsa, Fleur, Jordy, Keanu and Milena. Fleur, Jordy and Milena are the first nominated housemates. On Day 6, Jolien and Remi enter the house as new residents. Remi is Vikaash's fake identity; he has the secret assignment of pretending to be different. On Day 8, there was the Live Eviction Broadcast. Jordy was exempted first. Fleur was the first resident to be voted out.
Week 2 - Nomination games
On Day 9, Elsa, Jeffrey, Jordy, Keanu, Linda, Mattheüs and Niels inherit the money from voted-out resident Fleur. They inherit this because they nominated her. Mattheus gets the luxury suite because he is the one with the biggest jackpot. Decision makers Jeffrey & Niels must choose from Jeffrey & Linda who have as much money in their jackpot as second and third, which of them accompanies Mattheüs. They choose Jeffrey. Sharice, who is a new fake resident Nele, and Axel enter the house as new residents. Axel immediately declares that he is there to win, and this worries the other residents. Axel and Sharice are that week's Decision Makers. On Day 10, Axel gets the secret assignment to pick "Remi" in the game later. Just after that, he and "Nele" have to choose two residents for the Panic Room. This will be "Nele" and "Remi" - the two residents with fake identities. Unknown to the other residents, the Panic Room is filled with all sorts of props and information that the pair must rehearse about their fake identities. Meanwhile, the other residents play a game for money and have to unlock tubes. They win 6,000 euros. Afterwards, one by one in the Decision Room, the residents must choose how much money of this to put into their own jackpot. Not every resident chooses equally. There is a new clothing token, and the group gives it to Milena. The Decision Makers buy food for 600 euros, they use a large amount from Matthew, Lennie and Linda and then small portions from the other residents. On Day 11, there is a mysterious gold box in the living space. Matthew secretly takes it to the luxury suite. The Decision Makers must nominate 6 residents. They choose Jeffrey, Jolien, Jordy, Lennie, Niels and Remi. Nominated residents will be divided into pairs. These are Jeffrey & Lennie, Jolien & "Remi" and Jordy & Niels. 1 duo can clear themselves by completing a puzzle that must be correct on both sides. Jordy & Niels play themselves free. Housemates are called individually to the Decision Room. They can buy a key to The Vault for 500 euros. Several housemates do this. Linda & Matthew buy game changers there but must keep this a secret. The golden box disappeared while residents went to the Decision Room. Unbeknownst to the group, Jeffrey took it to the luxury suite to which only he and Matthew have access. During a game in the game room on Day 12 where those with nomination target must hold up a ball by two sticks, Jeffrey wins an exemption. However, he must pass on his nomination. He gives it to Linda. That night, the final nominees must go to the Decision Room and divide into pairs. These are Jolien & Lennie and Linda & Remi. For each duo, they must go to the gameroom and motivate to each other why they deserve an exemption while standing on a revolving platform. In the end, it is Lennie and Remi who get an exemption. On Day 13, Big Brother calls the resident with the golden box to the diary room. Jeffrey who took this for Niels, gives it to him. In the diary room, Niels opens the box; he must nominate a fellow inmate. He chooses Elsa. On Day 14, Big Brother announces the nominees: Elsa, Jolien and Linda. The nominees are called to the Panic Room, where they record the Big Brother podcast. Meanwhile, Big Brother gives a clothing token. After some discussion, the group gives it to Keanu. Who at first does not want to accept it because the decision was not unanimous but then accepts it anyway. On Day 15, Jeffrey, Jordy, Keanu and Mattheüs dive into the icy pond. That night is the Live Exit broadcast. Elsa is a viewer favorite and gets to stay first. Next, Jolien is rescued. Linda is the second housemate to leave the house.
Week 3 - Identity crisis
Jeffrey inherits the money from outvoted Linda on day 16. Jordy & Niels are the decision makers of the week after Jordy is designated by the group to stay in the luxury suite. They choose five residents - Elsa, Keanu, Milena, Nele and Niels - for the game in which the sitting area can be unlocked. The game in which a ball must be guided through a maze suspended in the air succeeds. The residents have sofas. That evening, the residents get their first Big Brother party in which they can dress up in their favorite celebrity. After the party, Big Brother asks if they enjoyed their new identities, and announces that they will all be asked an important question the following day. On Day 17, each housemate is called into the diary room individually. They have to guess which of the two housemates has a fake identity. Jolien, who grew closer to Jeffrey over the past few days, gets scared that Jeffrey was playing a game with her. In the game room, the identity of the fake residents is revealed: Nele and Remi disappear and from now on become their real selves - Sharice and Wicky. For every non suspicion, they could win money. The other residents received money when they did make a correct guess. Sharice was not suspected by anyone and therefore wins 5000 euros. Jeffrey & Jolien are relieved that the budding feelings between them are real, and share a first kiss while the other residents are busy with Sharice & Wicky. Afterwards, all the residents play a game without Sharice & Wicky about the hobbies and interests of the two residents. Afterwards, Elsa has a hard time trusting Sharice and Wicky - because these are the residents she felt most comfortable with. Sharice tries to make it clear that their bond is genuine. The residents also discuss how they will divide the money they won. Keanu suggests dividing it fairly so that each resident earns 420 euros. Elsa says she did not know that last time Keanu took more. A small discussion ensues between the two. On Day 18, Keanu addresses Elsa about their discussion but according to Elsa, it was just a joke on her part. Keanu does not believe this, however, it makes him insecure. The decision makers decide that Axel, Elsa, Milena, Niels and Sharice are the five residents they may choose to get their beds, on the basis that these are the residents who have the most back problems and Elsa is the oldest resident. The residents, however, must earn their beds themselves through a game in which they must make their way through bars to the bed token in the gameroom. Axel, Milena and Niels succeed in the game, and get a bed that they have to put together themselves. The housemates are called individually to the decision room. Access to the vault and gamechangers can be purchased. After everyone has had their turn, Big Brother says that the safe is closed because it is empty - all gamechangers have been bought. Axel has the flu and on Day 19 moves into the Panic Room which is set up as an infirmary. Lennie leaves the house for health reasons. The vending machinge gives the key to the phone booth. Big Brother announces that when it rings, the resident who answers can be given a question, a dilemma or a message. Niels answers first and has to designate residents for a game - he chooses those who do not yet have a bed. Jeffrey, Jolien, Jordy, Mattheüs, Sharice and Wicky play a guessing game with boxes full of pellets with which they can win things. Keanu wins his own bed by picking up the phone. In the evening, the phone rings. Jordy picks up and gets the message that he has an important decision to make with a fellow resident - Niels. Six residents have to get a nomination target. These will be Axel, Jeffrey, Keanu, Matthew, Sharice and Wicky. The residents have to nominate on Day 20. Axel, Sharice and Wicky are the nominees. Jordy picks up the phone again and is given a choice: his closet or his own bed. He chooses his clothes. On day 21, Axel returns to the house; he is cured. That day, he and Sharice and Wicky go to the Panic Room for the podcast. Matthew answers the phone and also gets to choose between his bed and his closet. He misses his clothes and chooses this. Mattheüs overhears a tactical conversation on Day 22 between Jordy and Niels who say they will nominate Jeffrey and Mattheüs every week. He immediately shares this with Elsa, Keanu and Jeffrey. Keanu thinks it's a dirty game. That night it is the Live Exit. Axel is exempted first. Sharice also gets to stay. Wicky has the fewest votes but in the diary room he is told by Big Brother that because of Lennie's voluntary exit he may stay, subject to a nomination for the following week and losing his purchased gamechangers. Elsa is thrilled that Wicky does not have to leave.
Week 3 - Business week
On Day 23, the housemates discover three new closets. These belong to new housemates David P, David S and Jane. They enter the house as directors of three companies. One by one, the housemates in the game room must apply for jobs with the three directors. It is up to the three directors to choose their four employees. The directors choose to split the groups and unions. David P's employees are Jolien, Milena, Niels and Wicky. From David S, these are Jeffrey, Keanu, Mattheüs and Sharice. And from Jane, these are Axel, Elsa & Jordy and an unknown housemate. The three directors are this week's decision makers. Because there are so many residents, the luxury suite disappears and becomes a second bedroom. The directors decide that the five women will sleep in this new bedroom. They also have to give a motivational speech to their teams that night. The women ask Jane how they come across on television. When she honestly says that many viewers find Jeffrey & Jolien's relationship cringe, and Mattheüs & Milena running after each other, both ladies react very emotionally to this. Jane learns on Day 24 that her statements have caused tension with Jolien & Milena, and tries to discuss this with them. As of now, three housemates - 1 from each respective company - must also go to the Panic Room which is a workshop this week when the work signal sounds. There the housemates must carpenter birdhouses. For each house that is well put together, the company earns 5 euros. On Day 25, the morning crew discovers a new housemate Eva, who is in company Jane, who is already working on a birdhouse. At the end of the day, Big Brother announces the results: a total of 62 houses have been made. 16 cottages by company David S, 21 cottages by company David P and 25 cottages by company Jane. Then the directors have to go public with the proceeds of their company and gamble who has the most popular company - here the viewer voted for. David S's company is the most popular, both Davids got this right and multiply their proceeds. Big Brother donates one birdhouse to the housemates, through an idea by Mattheüs, to hang it in the garden to give more opportunities to the city bird as well. The house is filled with 15 housemates, Jordy & Niels have a hard time getting used to the crowds and find that many housemates have changed in behavior. The directors are given another assignment. They can change team members but they refuse this. Big Brother says there is a game coming up where the companies play against each other. The winning company wins something big, the losing team will lose heavily. Each company must designate a key person. For company David P this is Sharice, for company David S Jolien and for company Jane Elsa. A balancing game is played. Jane's company wins. As a result, she gets to give an exemption to one of her workers, and gives it to Mattheüs. The company of David P loses. He has to give a nomination, and gives this to Niels. Day 26 the companies play a game against each other. David P's company wins, because of this David P, Jolien and Wicky get their own bed - Niels and Milena already have this. Jolien picks up the ringing phone and can give a closet to someone, she gives this to herself and can't contain her joy. The directors are called to the Decision Room and have to make a guess whose company has gone up the most, each director chooses his personal company. The team with the most money wins an exemption, which is the company of David S. The remaining nomination target pins are for the housemates who do not have an exemption pin. The directors must give these to Axel, Jolien, Jordy & Milena. The housemates must nominate on Day 27 and choose between those with the target pins. Jordy confesses to Jolien that he played the game too sweetly and will do things differently starting next week. Afterwards, he also complains to Wicky that some residents who say they should be fair are not fair themselves in distributing food and sneak away and eat portions of food. On Day 28, the nominees are announced. These are Axel, Jordy, Niels and Wicky.

Episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Day(s)	Original release date
Week 1 - Launch week
305	1	"Episode 1 - Launch"	Day 1	January 6, 2025 (2025-01-06)
306	2	"Episode 2"	Day 2	January 7, 2025 (2025-01-07)

External links

• Official website
• "Dutch official website on RTL Nederland".
• "Official website on Play4 (TV channel)".