Professional dancer Witney Carson announced her return to Dancing with the Stars for season 35 [2] and the launch of a new spinoff series.
The expansion of the franchise suggests a strategic move by the network to broaden the show's reach and discover new professional talent. By introducing a dedicated competition for aspiring pros, the series aims to diversify its roster and attract a wider demographic of viewers.
Carson said the news during a broadcast interview on Good Morning America on Monday [5]. She discussed the upcoming season of the main competition and introduced the spinoff titled "DWTS: The Next Pro" [1]. The new series is designed to identify the next generation of professional dancers to join the established cast.
Carson is a two-time Mirrorball champion [1] who has remained a central figure in the franchise. Her return coincides with significant personal news. Carson is expecting her third child with husband Carson McAllister [3].
She already has two children, Leo, who is five, and Jet, who is three [4]. The timing of the new season and the spinoff launch will likely overlap with her pregnancy, adding a personal layer to her professional commitments this year.
While the main series focuses on pairing celebrities with professionals, the spinoff will shift the lens toward the dancers themselves. Carson said the project is an exciting addition to the Dancing with the Stars brand as it enters its 35th season [2].
“Witney Carson announced her return to Dancing with the Stars for season 35”
The introduction of 'DWTS: The Next Pro' represents a shift toward a talent-pipeline model for the franchise. By creating a formal mechanism to recruit new professionals, the show reduces its reliance on external casting and creates a narrative arc that allows viewers to invest in the growth of new dancers before they are paired with celebrities.
