The cast of "Big Brother" Season 28 has expanded with the addition of reality television personalities Rick Devens and Angela Murray.
The show, which features contestants living together and voting each other out, revealed its new housemates on Tuesday, July 7. "Big Brother" is known for keeping some cast members secret until the live premiere and for incorporating fan favorites from other reality franchises.
Rick Devens, a contestant from "Survivor: Edge of Extinction" and "Survivor 50," has joined the "Big Brother" cast. Devens, a TV newscaster, gained a following for his engaging personality and strategic gameplay, despite not winning his "Survivor" seasons.
Angela Murray, a returning contestant from "Big Brother" Season 26, is also back in the competition. Murray, a real estate agent from Utah, previously placed sixth in the game and later competed on "The Amazing Race" with her daughter.
The season premiere saw host Julie Chen Moonves announce that for the first time in the show's history, no houseguest would become the initial Head of Household. The contestants entered a house themed around "Time Trip," which influenced the challenges.
During a challenge explained by "Big Brother" alum Enzo Palumbo, houseguests were divided into teams. The winning group earned immunity, and one player from that group received the power to invite a reality TV icon into the game. This mechanism led to the arrivals of Murray and Devens.
Another announced icon, Rachel Reilly, had a brief appearance before being written out of the game in a dramatic fashion during a time-travel-themed challenge.
Speculation is ongoing about whether "Survivor 45" winner Dee Valladares will join the cast. Following Reilly's "elimination," Moonves hinted that a fourth reality veteran would replace her, using a "Dinner Table Time Machine" to travel to December 2023. Fans have interpreted these clues as pointing to Valladares, who won "Survivor" in December 2023. Unconfirmed reports suggest Valladares might also be in contention for the Head of Household position.
"Big Brother" airs on CBS on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 8 p.m. ET. The companion show, "Big Brother: Unlocked," is scheduled to air on Fridays. Episodes can be watched live on CBS and streamed the following day on Paramount+.