| Genre: | Reality |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
| Num Seasons: | 9 |
| Num Episodes: | 83 |
| Runtime: | 120 minutes |
| Channel: | Discovery Channel |
| Last Aired: | present |
Naked and Afraid XL is an American reality television series that premiered on the Discovery Channel in 2015.[1] [2]
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 his or her 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(s) 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.
The first season takes place in Colombia.
| Survivalist | Prior Challenge(s) | Initial PSR [3] | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alana Barfield | ||||
| Danielle Beau | S4 - Colombia | |||
| Honora Bowen | S3 - Brazil | Tapped out because she was exiled | ||
| Chris Fischer | S3 - Dominica | |||
| Hakim Isler | S3 - India | Tapped out due to severe cramps - Day 4 | ||
| Dani Julien | S3 - Bahamas | Tapped out due to team issues | ||
| Shane Lewis | Tapped out due to fatigue | |||
| Luke McLaughlin | S3 - Namibia | |||
| Eva Rupert | S2 - Madagascar | |||
| S1 - Tanzania S2 - Amazon/Peru | ||||
| Jeff Zausch | S2 - Madagascar | |||
| Laura Zerra | S1 - Panama S2 - Amazon/Peru |
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 (injuries, nausea, heat exhaustion) 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.
The second season takes place in South Africa.
| Survivalist | Prior Challenge(s) | Initial PSR | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alyssa Ballestero | ||||
| Carrie Booze | S3 - Cambodia | Tapped out due to bad headspace | ||
| Phaedra Brothers | S3 - India | Medically evacuated due to food poisoning by consuming bad fruit | ||
| Clarence Gilmer II | S6 - Honduras | Medically evacuated due to dehydration and heat exhaustion | ||
| Steven Lee Hall Jr | S6 - Alabama | |||
| Ryan Holt | S4 - Florida Everglades | Medically evacuated due to food poisoning by consuming bad fruit | ||
| Kim Kelly | S5 - Panama | Medically evacuated due to food poisoning by consuming bad fruit | ||
| Tawny Lynn | S6 - Florida Seminole Forest | Medically evacuated due to falling, dehydration and heat exhaustion | ||
| Jake Nodar | S6 - Amazon/Colombia | Medically evacuated due to food poisoning by consuming bad fruit | ||
| Stacey Osorio | S6 - Croatia | |||
| Darrin Reay | S4 - Thailand | |||
| Angel Rodriguez | Tapped out because he missed his kids |
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.
The third season takes place in Ecuador’s Amazon basin and was shot in October and November 2016.[4]
The series premiered on Sunday, April 23, 2017.
| Survivalist | Prior Challenge(s) | Initial PSR | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Alexander | S6 - Philippines | Tapped out due to personal choice | ||
| Fernando Calderon | ||||
| Chance Davis | S7 - Ecuador | Joined the cast on Day 20, after completing 20 days in Ecuador | ||
| Charlie Frattini | S4 - Colombia | Tapped out due to torn tendons | ||
| Amber Hargrove | S4 - Florida Everglades S6 - Namibia | |||
| Giovanna Horning | S7 - Ecuador | |||
| Lacey Jones | S7 - Belize | Tapped out due to injured knee | ||
| Shannon Kulpa | ||||
| Russell Sage | S1 - Panama | Tapped out due to personal choice | ||
| Matt Wright | S6 - Thailand | Tapped out due to flesh-eating bacteria in his foot |
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 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.
| Survivalist | Prior Challenge(s) | Initial PSR | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dustin "Duck" Campbell | S8 - Belize | 7.1 | Tapped out due to personal choice - Misses his kids. Episode 3 - Day 7 | |
| Kaila Cummings | S7 - Colombia | 7.4 | ||
| Sarah Danser | S8 - Bahamas | 8.3 | ||
| Clarence Gilmer II | S6 - Honduras XL2 - South Africa | 7.9 | Tapped out due to the sting of scorpion bite and high blood pressure. Episode 2 - Day 6 | |
| Gary Golding | S9 - Brazil | 7.0 | ||
| Lacey Jones | S7 - Belize XL3 - Ecuador | 8.2 | Tapped out due to burned hand and bad headspace. Episode 6 - Day 25 | |
| Lindsey Leitelt | S3 - Namibia | 7.1 | ||
| Shane Lewis | S1 - Costa Rica XL1 - Colombia | 8.4 | ||
| Jeremy McCaa | S5 - Philippines S7 - Louisiana | 8.2 | Tapped out due to illness. Episode 3 - Day 8 | |
| Melissa Miller | S7 - Ecuador | 7.7 | ||
| Trent Nielsen | S5 - Belize | 8.2 | ||
| Melanie Rauscher | S7 - Louisiana | 8.2 | Tapped out due to bad sunburn and depletion. Episode 4 - Day 13 | |
| Matt Wright | S6 - Thailand XL3 - Ecuador | 8.7 |
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:
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.
On May 14, 2019, it was announced that the fifth season would premiere on June 2, 2019.[5]
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 (Jeff and Laura) 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.
| Survivalist | Prior Challenge(s) | 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 (personal choice) - commitment to leave with Charlie. Episode 8 - Day 24. | |
| 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 24 | |
| 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 (personal choice) - 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. |
Valley of the Banished
| Survivalist | Prior Challenge(s) | Initial PSR | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah Bartell | S10 - Ecuador | 8.1 | ||
| Joshua Bell | S3 - Nicaragua | 4.3 | Tapped out due to team issues. Episode 1, Day 3. | |
| Jon Bonessi | S11 - Philippines | 8.2 | ||
| Dawn Dussault | 4.4 | Tapped out because of bad headspace. Episode 1, Day 2. | ||
| Ryan Eacret | 5.7 | Medically evacuated due to mental issues. Episode 10, Day 31. | ||
| Bulent Gurcan | S10 - Colombia S11 - Mexico | 7.4 | ||
| Gwen Grimes | S10 - Mexico | 8.4 | ||
| Wes Harper | S10 - Brazil | 7.4 | Medically evacuated due to bowel obstruction. Episode 9, Day 28. | |
| Makani Nalu | S10 - Ecuador | 6.0 | Tapped out from heat exhaustion and dehydration. Episode 5, Day 14. | |
| Seth Reece | S10 - Panama | 4.0 | Tapped out from dehydration, heat exhaustion, nosebleed, and depletion. Episode 8, Day 24. | |
| Kate Wentworth | S10 - Panama | 5.0 | Tapped out due to bad headspace and depletion. Episode 4, Day 10. | |
| Suzänne Zeta | S9 - Brazil | 8.7 |
The survivalists are divided 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.
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.
| Survivalist | Prior Challenge(s) | XLS[6] Day 1 | XLS Day 3 | XLS Day 8 | XLS Day 13 | XLS Day 17 | XLS Day 23 | XLS Day 30 | XLS Day 35 | XLS Day 40 | XLS Day 50 | XLS Day 59 | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah Danser | S8 - Bahamas XL4 - South Africa | 47% | 52% | 56% | 42% | Tapped out due to the cold. Episode 4, Day 16. | ||||||||
| Max Djenohan | S9 - Panama S10 - Panama XL5 - Philippines | 54% | 41% | 35% | 51% | 67% | 56% | 41% | 25% | 41% | 36% | 39% | ||
| Gary Golding | S9 - Brazil XL4 - South Africa S10 - Bootcamp S10 - South Africa S11 - Belize | 54% | 41% | 35% | 51% | 67% | 56% | 43% | 61% | 32% | Tapped out due to illness of unknown cause. Episode 8, Day 40. | |||
| Steven Lee Hall Jr. | S6 - Alabama XL2 - South Africa S10 - Boreal Tundra (Alaska) | 34% | 22% | 58% | 35% | 63% | 51% | 39% | 28% | 48% | 54% | 39% | ||
| Amber Hargrove | S4 - Florida Everglades S6 - Namibia XL3 - Ecuador | 54% | 41% | 35% | 51% | 67% | 56% | Medically evacuated due to complications from a previous injury. Episode 5, Day 23. | ||||||
| Ryan Holt | S4 - Florida Everglades XL2 - South Africa | 62% | 36% | 42% | 71% | 42% | 60% | 41% | 25% | 41% | 54% | 39% | ||
| Lacey Jones | S7 - Belize XL3 - Ecuador XL4 - South Africa S11 - South Africa | 34% | 22% | Tapped out due to lack of sleep and mental exhaustion. Episode 2, Day 8. | ||||||||||
| Rylie Parlett | S9 - Honduras XL5 - Philippines | 62% | 36% | 42% | 71% | 42% | 60% | 41% | 25% | 41% | 54% | 39% | ||
| EJ Snyder | S1 - Tanzania S2 - Amazon S11 - Bulgaria XL1 - Colombia | 47% | 52% | 56% | 42% | 29% | 21% | 10% | 61% | 32% | 36% | 39% | ||
| Matt Wright | S6 - Thailand XL3 - Ecuador XL4 - South Africa S10 - Bootcamp S10 - South Africa | 62% | 36% | 42% | 71% | 42% | 60% | 41% | 25% | 41% | 54% | 39% | ||
| Jeff Zausch | S2 - Madagascar XL1 - Colombia XL5 - Philippines | 34% | 22% | 58% | 35% | 63% | 51% | 39% | 28% | 48% | 54% | 39% | ||
| Suzänne Zeta | S9 - Brazil XL6 - South Africa | 47% | 52% | 56% | Tapped out due to bad headspace. Episode 3, Day 12. | |||||||||
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.
On April 8, 2022, it was announced that the eighth season would premiere on May 1, 2022.[7] 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.
| Survivalist[8] | Prior Challenge(s) | XLS Day 1 | XLS Day 4 | XLS Day 7 | XLS Day 14 | XLS Day 21 | XLS Day 27 | XLS Day 30 | XLS Day 35 | XLS Day 42 | XLS Day 51 | XLS Day 59 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waz Addy | S12 - Florida | 70% / 66% | 21% / 30% | 32% / 22% | 57% / 54% | 66% / 61% | 64% / 51% | 71% / 68% | 41% / 38% | 68% / 66% | 42% / 43% | 59% / 62% | Competed for 40-day challenge and extended to 60-day challenge |
| Rod Biggs | S11 - Africa | 67% / 66% | 38% / 30% | 11% / 22% | Medically evacuated on Day 7 due to food-bourne parasites | ||||||||
| Trish Bulinsky | S10 - Colombia | 52% / 43% | 62% / 53% | 67% / 60% | 43% / 41% | 63% / 65% | 52% / 51% | 33% / 29% | 14% / 21% | Completed 40-day challenge | |||
| Kaila Cumings | S7 - Colombia XL4 - South Africa | 66% / 59% | 78% / 72% | Tapped out on Day 6 due to effects of a burned foot | |||||||||
| Jamie Frizzell | S13 - South Africa | 42% / 59% | Tapped out on Day 2 | ||||||||||
| Gary Golding | S9 - Brazil XL4 - South Africa S10 - Bootcamp S10 - South Africa S11 - Belize XL7 - Louisiana | 62% / 66% | Medically evacuated on Day 2 due to contact with poisonous tree | ||||||||||
| Lisa Hagan | S11 - Bermuda Triangle | 71% / 72% | 12% / 32% | Tapped out on Day 4 | |||||||||
| Steven Lee Hall Jr. | S6 - Alabama XL2 - South Africa S10 - Boreal Tundra (Alaska) XL7 - Louisiana S9 - Bahamas (shark week special) | 78% / 72% | 56% / 32% | 56% | 64% | 39% | 52% | 59% | 67% / 65% | 49% / 47% | 44% / 43% | 67% / 62% | Completed 60-day challenge |
| Amber Hargrove | S4 - Florida Everglades S6 - Namibia XL3 - Ecuador XL7 - Louisiana | 43% / 43% | 77% / 53% | 75% / 60% | 56% / 41% | 79% / 65% | 62% / 51% | 35% | 63% / 65% | 45% / 47% | 48% / 43% | 65% / 62% | Completed 60-day challenge |
| Dan Link | S10 - Mexico S12 - US/Mexico | 49% / 59% | 65% / 72% | 32% | 51% / 54% | 55% / 61% | 32% / 51% | 65% / 68% | 34% / 38% | 63% / 66% | 38% / 43% | 58% / 62% | Competed for 40-day challenge and extended to 60-day challenge |
| Tim Phillips | S11 - South Africa | 68% / 72% | 28% / 32% | Tapped out on Day 4 | |||||||||
| EJ Snyder | S1 - Tanzania S2 - Amazon S11 - Bulgaria XL1 - Colombia XL-7 - Louisiana | Legend joined on Day 21 and was not given an XLS | Completed extraction on Day 60 | ||||||||||
| Jen Taylor | S10 - Guyana S11 - Bulgaria | 34% / 43% | 19% / 53% | 37% / 60% | 23% / 41% | 54% / 65% | 40% / 51% | 24% / 29% | 27% / 21% | Completed 40-day challenge | |||
| Matt Wright | S6 - Thailand XL3 - Ecuador XL4 - South Africa S10 - Bootcamp S10 - South Africa XL-7 - Louisiana | Legend joined on Day 21 and was not given an XLS | Completed extraction on Day 60 | ||||||||||
| Jeff Zausch | S2 - Madagascar XL1 - Colombia XL5 - Philippines XL7 - Louisiana | Legend joined on Day 21 and was not given an XLS | Tapped out on Day 29 due to “stomach issues.” Given fluids and antibiotics in the hospital and recovered in four days. The cause was unknown. | ||||||||||
The survivalists are divided into 4 teams of 3, in 4 locations:
On July 6, 2022, it was announced that the ninth season would premiere on July 31, 2022.[9] 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.
| Survivalist[10] | Prior Challenge(s) | FSR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waz Addy | S12 - Florida XL8 - Amazon | ||
| Gabrielle Balassone | S7 - South Africa S9 - Mississippi XL5 - Philippines | ||
| Sarah Bartell | XL6 - Africa | ||
| Rod Biggs | S12 - Africa XL8 - Amazon | Volunteeringly 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 (shark week special) S11 - Ecuador | ||
| Wes Harper | S9 - Brazil XL6 - South Africa S12 - Ecuador | ||
| Jermaine Jackson | |||
| 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 | |
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.[11]
The 2024 season kicked off on May 12th, 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."[12]
Contestants start as four groups of three people.[13]
| Survivalist[14] | Prior Challenge(s) | FSR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Kavanagh | S12 Africa | ||
| Andrew Shayde | S12 S15 Castaways | ||
| Christopher James | S11 S15 | ||
| Cole Wilks | S17 | ||
| Heather Smith | S15 Castaways | ||
| Kaiela Hobart | S11 Africa | ||
| Lynsey McCarver | S13 | ||
| Malorie Romero | S15 | ||
| Nathan Martinez | S10 | ||
| Sam Mouzer | S15 | ||
| Shell Armogida | S17 | ||
| Terra Short | S14 Solo | ||
The survivalists are divided into 4 teams of 3, in 4 locations[15]
Week 1, Cole and Andrew tapped
Week 2, Chris tapped
Week 3, Sam tapped
Week 4, No taps
Week 4, Now alone Kaiela finds and joins Malorie and Shell[16]
| Continent | Locations (season number) | |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa (2, 4, 6) | ||
| Philippines (5) | ||
| Colombia (1, 10), Ecuador (3), Peru (8) | ||
| Louisiana (7) Montana (9) |
In Australia, the series premiered on September 10, 2015 on Discovery Channel.[17] In India this show is running on Discovery channel, Discovery channel HD and available on Amazon Prime Video.[18]