‘Dancing With The Stars’ Season 30: Everything We Know So Far About Landmark Season

It’s official! ABC will be welcoming “Dancing With the Stars” back to fans’ TV screens for a landmark 30th season in Fall 2021.

The network confirmed the news on social media, with the official Dancing With the Stars Twitter account sharing a picture of a rotating mirror ball with the words “New Season Coming Fall 2021” across it.

Naturally, news of the show’s impending return is great for longtime fans who have been waiting for the show to hit such a landmark, but so far, other details remain to be hammered out. However, there are a few things fans could count on seeing when the show makes a long-awaited return. Here’s everything we know so far.

Air Date And Time

While a specific premiere date hasn’t been announced, the show traditionally airs Fall seasons on Monday nights at 8 p.m., and it is unlikely that the show would be rooted from its place on ABC’s schedule, where it has held that slot since the earliest seasons. As for a premiere date, the show traditionally begins a new season on the 3rd Monday of September, though, on occasion, the show has changed to premiering on either the second or fourth Monday. That puts 2021 premiere dates as most likely being either the 13th, 20th or 27th of September. With the usual finish on Thanksgiving week in mind, and a 10-week season, the show likely will premiere on the 20th.

Tyra Banks Will Serve As A Host Again

Despite a shaky start and a lot of backlash over her taking the job when Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews were fired before Season 29, Tyra Banks is set to return again as a host for the second time running. While fans were resistant to Banks and her costume changes throughout the season, ABC was likely happy to keep her on after the show saw a bump in the ratings. The series was up nearly nine percent in the key demo of adults 18-49, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Carrie Ann Inaba And Bruno Tonioli Are Back

Though the show has had hosting shake-ups over the years, the one constant has been its judges’ table, and neither Carrie Ann nor Bruno have missed one yet. Fans will definitely see them back in their roles for Season 30, Us Weekly reports.

Len Goodman And Derek Hough Are Expected Back

Head judge Jen Goodman was unable to film Season 29 due to travel restrictions from COVID-19 stranding him in the UK, which led to former pro dancer Derek Hough stepping in. US Weekly reports that Goodman is expected back in some capacity for Season 30, though it’s not clear if it will be as a judge because details of his role haven’t been specified, and it’s unknown how willing he is to travel. As for Hough, he is expected to join the judges’ panel again, which could see him either being the third judge to replace Goodman again or serving as a fourth judge on the panel, taking over the job his sister, Julianne Hough, vacated in 2017.

Returning Pro Dancers

The pro dancers who have competed on the show have changed over the years, and both Lindsay Arnold and Witney Carson were forced to sit Season 29 out due to their pregnancies. While none of the pros have announced what their plans are regarding Season 30, it would be safe to assume that many want to be a part of it.

Among some of the show’s current staples who will likely want to return are Emma Slater, Pasha Pashkov, Keo Motsepe, Sharna Burgess, Peta Murgatroyd, Val Chmerkovskiy, Brandon Armstrong, Gleb Savchenko, Alan Bersten, Sasha Farber, Daniella Karagach, Jenna Johnson and reigning champ, Artem Chigvintsev. In addition to potential returns by Arnold and Carson, the recently promoted Britt Stewart will likely want to return, and Cheryl Burke could also go for potentially one last spin on the floor, though she did hint in November 2020 that she is thinking about retiring.

Competing Celebrities

As for who fans could see trying to win a Mirrorball? Absolutely nothing has been taken off the table, from the show potentially considering a second All-Stars run to give former almost champs another chance at glory, to bringing on the biggest and best cast of celebrities yet.

In terms of a cast of entirely new faces, names that have been floated as contenders to sign up have included “Bachelorette” Tayshia Adams and her fiancé, Zac Clark, Hilaria Baldwin, Kellyanne Conway, Brian Austin Green and Kamaru Usman. None are confirmed as either actually participating or having been approached.

“Dancing With the Stars” Season 30 will premiere this Fall on ABC.