| Narrated: | Julian Barratt |
| Theme Music Composer: | John Lemke |
| Composer: | John Lemke[1] |
| Location: | near Lovech, Bulgaria |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Language: | English |
| Num Seasons: | 2 |
| Num Episodes: | 20 (20 aired) |
| Runtime: | 60 minutes (incl. commercials) |
| Company: | The Garden and Motion Content Group |
| Network: | Channel 5 MTV |
10,000 BC is a British reality television series that debuted on Channel 5 and MTV on 2 February 2015. The show is a joint commission between the two channels.[2]
The social experiment series follows 20 British people from all walks of life as they go back to the conditions of the Stone Age and try to survive two months in the wilderness.[3]
The 10,000 BC candidates were prepared and monitored by Klint Janulis, an archaeologist and survival expert. Janulis had spent 14 years in the U.S. military, initially as a Marine and then in the Army Special Forces.[4]
The series was set and filmed in the Byalka Hunting Preserve, near Lovech in the foothills of the Balkan Mountains, Bulgaria. The contestants were filmed for two months from October 2014.[5]
Nine men and eleven women from all over the United Kingdom took part in this series, including groups from two families (the Hardings and the O'Rourkes) and one couple (Oliver Farr and Terri Perry). The other eleven contestants each entered on their own. The oldest tribe member was retired private school PA Caroline Mortimer, who was 65 years old upon entering. The youngest tribe member was the restaurant maître d Alice Harding, 20.
Five of the original twenty participants remained until the eighth week. Twelve chose to leave; three were removed. It was decided by the whole tribe on day one that Steve would be tribe leader.
A full cast list was posted online one week prior to the series launch.[6]
| Tribe member | Age | Occupation | Hometown | Quote | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jodie O'Rourke | 23 | Event manager | "We've got strong personalities and we will bring something to the group." | Still in Tribe | ||
| Josie O'Rourke | 52 | Bookmaker | "We've got strong personalities and we will bring something to the group." | Still in Tribe | ||
| John Paul Mullen | 29 | Club promoter | "I want to show people who I really am." | Still in Tribe | ||
| Mike Simms | 31 | Fireman | "I'm calm under pressure" | Still in Tribe | ||
| Melissa Snelling | 25 | Propmaker | "I am really stubborn, so I can't see myself giving up too easily." | Still in Tribe | ||
| Paul Barnes | 41 | HGV driver | "Failure isn’t an option. I don’t fail. It’s not in my vocabulary." | Removed Week 7 | ||
| Steve Nicholson | 53 | Business owner | "I'm looking for an experience." | Walked Week 3 | ||
| Paul Harding | 46 | Fencer and landscaper | "We're not afraid to stand up for something that we think is right." | Walked Week 3 | ||
| Rachel Harding | 48 | Education assessor | "We're not afraid to stand up for something that we think is right." | Walked Week 3 | ||
| Emily Harding | 23 | Graphic designer | "We're not afraid to stand up for something that we think is right." | Walked Week 3 | ||
| Mary Harding | 22 | Student | "We're not afraid to stand up for something that we think is right." | Walked Week 3 | ||
| Alice Harding | 20 | Restaurant maître d | "We're not afraid to stand up for something that we think is right." | Walked Week 3 | ||
| Kam Khaira | 39 | Housewife and shopkeeper | "I am determined to stick it out." | Walked Week 2 | ||
| Tom Reader | 27 | Digital content creator | "It will be a real challenge." | Removed Week 2 | ||
| Aamer Hussain | 25 | Centre manager | "I don't have no skills! I'm just going to sit there | " | Walked Week 2 | |
| Oliver Farr | 24 | Electrician | "We’re both social chameleons so we do well in a group." | Walked Week 1 | ||
| Terri Perry | 30 | Florist | "We’re both social chameleons so we do well in a group." | Walked Week 1 | ||
| Kym Hall | 32 | Sales representative | "I don't do well when I'm hungry and cold." | Walked Week 1 | ||
| Caroline Mortimer | 65 | "I'm a bit apprehensive about being the oldest member and keeping up with the youngsters." | Removed Week 1 | |||
| Perry Brookes | 25 | Landscape gardener | "I've never done anything like this before in my life." | Walked Week 1 |