A new reality series titled Apocalypse, airing on Channel 4, follows 16 individuals as they attempt to survive in a doomsday scenario after an unexplained global catastrophe. The show is filmed at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Indiana, a sprawling 1,000-acre site featuring hundreds of buildings typically used for urban warfare training by police and military groups. The production team transformed the area into a makeshift survival environment, creating a realistic backdrop for the participants to navigate challenges like finding food, water, and shelter. Producer Jake Smith drew inspiration from survival content online, including prepper videos and grim survival shows, while aiming to inject moments of humor and joy into the experience. The set included unexpected items such as a candy floss machine, a disco ball, and a record player with an Abba record. A broken ATM was placed near scattered cash, adding a touch of irony to the simulation. Unlike traditional reality shows with elimination rounds or prize money, Apocalypse offers no such structure, instead describing itself as a "choose your own adventure" experience where participants live through a month-long survival challenge. The show is part of the "factual-entertainment" genre, similar to The Island with Bear Grylls and early versions of Shipwrecked, where real human emotions and stories are captured for viewers. Executive producers Jo Harcourt-Smith and Tim Whitwell worked for years to gain access to the training center, believing that survival scenarios should reflect real-world urban environments. The participants, who come from diverse backgrounds such as a TikToker, a taxi driver, a chef, a Paralympian, and a Welsh farmer, face both personal struggles and moments of bonding as they try to adapt to the harsh conditions. The show has sparked discussions about the ethics of reality television, particularly regarding the balance between entertainment and the potential discomfort of participants. Professor Su Holmes from the University of East Anglia points out that while reality shows can be exploitative, they also offer a platform to explore societal themes. Despite these concerns, many participants have described the experience as transformative, helping them appreciate everyday life more deeply. Apocalypse is being called a "bold and ambitious social experiment" and is set to air on Channel 4 on 13 September at 9pm.