Strictly Come Dancing has revealed the latest celebrity to be joining the highly-anticipated 2026 series, and it’s actor and House of the Dragon star Bethany Antonia – currently appearing in the HBO series as Lady Baela Targaryen, eldest daughter of Daemon Targaryen.
Bethany’s past TV roles also include a guest spot in the BBC’s medical soap Doctors, as well as appearing in ITV drama Nolly, created by Russell T Davies, Netflix’s Harlan Coben thriller Stay Close, Stath Lets Flats, and Doctor Who.
“I can’t quite believe that I will be heading to the Strictly ballroom this September! I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill,” she said in a statement, alongside her announcement. “See you on the dancefloor!”
BBC
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Strictly’s growing 2026 lineup has been slowly announced over the past few weeks, with EastEnders icon Lacey Turner leading the roster as the very first celebrity to be confirmed for the star-studded new series.
Also joining are TV personality Dani Dyer – who returns to the ballroom after having to exit last year’s show due to injury – as well as singer Delta Goodrem, hair stylist to the stars Chris Appleton, Love Island’s Cach Mercer, TV presenter and radio host Will Best, and Paralympic medallist Dame Sarah Storey.
Prior to today’s announcement, fellow actor Jaime Winstone was the last to join the beloved competition.
Jaime has an extensive career which includes a breakout role in EastEnders, where she portrayed a young Peggy Mitchell in a flashback episode which won the British Soap Award for ‘Best Single Episode’.
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Her TV work also includes roles in Four Lives and Poirot, and on the big screen Jaime has appeared in the likes of Tomb Raider and Wild Bill.
The BBC also recently revealed five new professional dancers that are joining the ranks for Strictly Come Dancing’s new-look series.
BBC
Hailing from the UK, Canada, Italy, South Africa and Ukraine, the impressive group of new pros come with an extension range of experience, and all will be hoping to make their mark in the BBC competition.
It’s expected that, as the 2026 Strictly season approaches, more news will be revealed.
Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this September.
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TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK’s biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world’s oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).
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