The Big Experiment - First Episode

The chance to walk a mile in someone else's shoes drives reality series The Big Experiment. Using wardrobe, acting classes, make-up and prosthetics, a group of Kiwis experience life far removed from their norm — having a different gender or ethnicity, large visible scars or a disability. In this episode Danny the builder becomes Danielle, and Adele, an expat Brit, immerses herself in male alter ego, Adrian. Adele overcomes her nerves early on and decides to have fun as Adrian, but Danny is completely rattled by his physical transformation and turns to his mentors and psychologist John Aiken for support.

Being male comes with a lot of expectations, and you don't believe or even think of those...

– Transgender male Lincoln talks to Adele about what he's noticed since living as a man

Key Cast & Crew

Oliver Driver

Mentor

Madeleine Sami

Mentor

Stephanie Tauevihi

Subject

John Aiken

Series Psychologist

Paul Barrett

Narrator

Charlotte Purdy

Director, Original Idea, Research