Season 3 of Below Deck Down Under is kicking things up a notch with a trailer full of hookups, bullying claims and a crew member getting physical on screen.
Bravo released the official sneak peek on Tuesday, January 7, with Captain Jason Chambers back at the helm alongside alums Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph and deckhand Harry Van Vliet. They are joined by newbies bosun Wihan Du Toit, chief stew Lara Rigby, deckhands Johnny Arvanitis and Adair Werley, stews Brianna Duffield and Marina Marcondes de Barros and sous-chef Anthony Bird.
“In my 25 years of being a captain, I have learned that you can’t be in control of everything. Sometimes we need to step out of our comfort zones,” Jason says in a voiceover about the newest season, which is set in the Seychelles off the coast of Africa. “Exploring new depths and facing new challenges in front of us.”
Elsewhere in the clip, Jason is seen laying down the law after someone is accused of bullying.
Related: Below Deck Down Under’s Biggest Drama Through the Years
The Below Deck franchise has had its fair share of drama over the years — and Below Deck Down Under is no different. The spinoff show, which premiered on Peacock in March 2022, left a memorable impression on viewers when it came to feuds, firings and chaos. During the first season, fans and cast alike […]
“I will not tolerate heads of department yelling at each other,” Jason tells the crew. “There is an undercurrent of negativity onboard and to me it is an infection. I am just going to keep cutting the infection so I have to let you go.”
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Before Bravo released the first look for the season, which returns Monday, February 3, Jason exclusively told Us Weekly about what fans could expect after a controversial second season.
“There were changes for sure [following the misconduct scandal]. I know that the policies and procedures were in place during the previous seasons, even when that happened. When production stepped in and stopped it, that showed that these policies and procedures were very understood,” Jason shared in September 2024. “Now for the next season, the policies and procedures weren’t just controlled by the production team itself. They actually brought additional HR people to actually make sure that the black and white writing was understood by all.”
Jason praised the production team for breaking down the guidelines before they started filming. (News broke in September 2023 that NBC Universal increased its requirements around anti-discrimination and harassment policies, making an inclusive workplace and channels to report concerns and violations.)
Related: A Guide to ‘Below Deck‘ and Its Many Spinoffs
Ever since Below Deck premiered on Bravo in 2013, viewers have been looking forward to more drama on the high seas. The reality series, which shows the lives of crew members who reside and work on a super-yacht during charter season, has continued to grow across multiple countries while still bringing the exact same level […]
“It was just pushed down even further and showed to us true to form what it was,” the captain added about the onscreen changes “There seemed to be a lot less drinking and a lot more drama.”
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Season 2 of Below Deck Down Under made headlines in 2023 when bosun Luke Jones was filmed getting into bed naked with stewardess Margot Sisson, who at the time was passed out after an alcohol-fueled crew night out. After a cameraman intervened, producers made Luke leave the boat ,and he was moved to a hotel for the night. Jason ultimately terminated Luke and let stewardess Laura Bileskaline go after she blamed Margot for his exit.
“The one thing that sticks in my mind is that I supported everyone afterward. Everyone involved with it had some learning to do. I’ve stayed in touch with every person that’s been involved and they’ve become a better person and that’s great,” Jason told Us about the aftermath. “I think the industry 15 or 20 years ago was totally different. A lot of these things were acceptable in many ways and in society as well. I’m glad that society is not like that anymore and we have got the ability to put our foot down on certain issues.”
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Despite the backlash toward certain crew members, Jason made an effort to stay “in contact” with the entire season 2 cast, adding, “I look back at the people that actually were involved in every aspect of that incident and I know that everyone’s become a better person. We have to give everyone the right to learn from their mistakes.”
Related: Former ‘Below Deck Down Under‘ Stars: Where Are They Now?
Bravo and Peacock viewers were in for a treat with the premiere of Below Deck Down Under — with many of the show’s stars leaving a lasting impression. The spinoff series, which debuted in 2022, featured Below Deck Mediterranean alum Aesha Scott. The chief stew joined Captain Jason Chambers and the rest of the group […]
Jason also spoke about chief stew Aesha Scott‘s absence after they worked together on the first two seasons of Below Deck Down Under. The former coworkers stayed in contact after Aesha’s return to Below Deck Mediterranean.
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“She’s very busy at the moment. I know she’s got a lot going on. I haven’t contacted her for about six months now. I might have to send her a text very soon,” Jason shared with Us. “But there’s always contact there for sure.”
Below Deck Med’s Captain Sandy Yawn, meanwhile, joked that she didn’t want Aesha to return to the Down Under franchise, telling Us that same month, “I think Captain Jason will find his chief stew because Aesha started in the Med and she belongs in the Mediterranean with me.”
Below Deck Down Under season 3 premieres on Bravo Monday, February 3, at 8 p.m. ET. New episodes stream the next day on Peacock.
