DWTS is back

Season 35 opens live from Hollywood after one of the show’s biggest seasons yet. This time, 16 celebrities join the ballroom, the largest cast in DWTS history.

“16 new celebrities will hit the dance floor.”

Champions return

Reigning mirrorball winner Witney Carson is paired with Guillermo Rodriguez. Val Chmerkovskiy and Ezra Sosa also return after strong Season 34 finishes.

New pros arrive

The pro lineup grows by two. Next Pro winner Adele Zaikman makes her DWTS debut, while Hailey Bills moves up after a season in the troupe.

The cast mixes worlds

The lineup includes Olympian Amber Glenn, Paralympian Ezra Frech, reality stars, actors, a chef, a baseball showman, and pop singer Taylor Hanson.

One historic pairing

Sarah Jane Nader becomes the third celebrity to dance with a same-sex partner on the show. She is paired with newly promoted pro Hailey Bills.

“the third person to dance with a same-sex partner on the show”

How to watch

The Season 35 premiere airs Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Viewers without cable can stream it live through DIRECTV’s five-day free trial.

“When: Sept. 15, 8 p.m. ET”

Two premiere nights

The opener is split across Sept. 15 and Sept. 16. After that, new episodes continue weekly on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.

Birth-year hits

Week 1 sends contestants dancing to number one songs from the year they were born, with the men on Night 1 and the women on Night 2.

Styles are set

Night 1 includes salsa, tango, quickstep, and several cha-cha-chas. Night 2 brings foxtrot, jive, quickstep, and tangos for the women’s lineup.