BBC One and BBC iPlayer have confirmed Bethany Antonia as the ninth celebrity contestant for the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing. The announcement was made on Tuesday 28 July across the official social media channels for the program. Antonia joins a confirmed roster that includes Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best, Dame Sarah Storey, and Jaime Winstone.
The actress is currently performing as Eurydice in the West End production of the musical Hadestown. Her television credits include the role of Lady Baela Targaryen in the HBO series House of the Dragon since 2022. Prior to this, she appeared as Margot Rivers in the BBC and Netflix production Get Even. Other credited roles include appearances in Nolly, Stay Close, Stath Lets Flats, and Doctor Who, as well as a guest role in the BBC soap Doctors.
The new series is scheduled to broadcast on Saturday and Sunday nights starting in September. Production is handled by BBC Studios Entertainment for the linear channel and the digital platform. The BBC is continuing to announce the full celebrity line-up throughout the summer period. Viewers can currently add the title to their watchlists via the BBC iPlayer interface. Antonia began her professional acting career at age 14 in a short film adaptation of The Tempest.