Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro—What We Know About the New Competition

ABC has announced a new spin-off series, Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro, which aims to identify the next generation of professional dancers for the long-running flagship competition. The series features a cast of 12 international competitors who will undergo rigorous challenges under the guidance of judges Mark Ballas and Shirley Ballas. According to official network announcements, the program is designed to test the technical skill and adaptability of emerging dancers in a high-pressure environment.

Who Are the Judges for The Next Pro?

The competition will be judged by professional dancer Mark Ballas and his mother, renowned ballroom coach Shirley Ballas. Mark Ballas, a two-time mirrorball champion, brings two decades of experience as a professional on the original Dancing With the Stars series. Shirley Ballas, who serves as the head judge on the British series Strictly Come Dancing, provides a technical coaching perspective. Mark Ballas told Us Weekly that while he and his mother often share a professional vision, their differing backgrounds—coaching versus performing—led to creative disagreements during the filming process.

What Is the Format of the Competition?

Unlike the standard celebrity-partner format of the flagship show, The Next Pro focuses exclusively on the development and evaluation of professional dance talent. The contestants were selected from a global search, with host Robert Irwin noting in promotional materials that the dancers will be pushed to extreme levels of physical and artistic performance. The show aims to replicate the intensity of the professional ballroom circuit while introducing viewers to the rigorous selection process that precedes a professional’s rise to the main stage.

Why Does This Spin-Off Matter for the Franchise?

This series represents a strategic shift for the Dancing With the Stars brand, moving beyond the celebrity-driven model to highlight the technical labor of the professionals. By centering the narrative on the dancers themselves, the production mirrors the structure of talent-based reality shows like So You Think You Can Dance. This approach allows the network to cultivate a new roster of talent while maintaining engagement with the franchise’s core audience during the off-season. The move also highlights the increasing value of professional dance as a standalone entertainment product.

Key Details at a Glance

• Host: Robert Irwin
• Judges: Mark Ballas and Shirley Ballas
• Cast Size: 12 professional competitors
• Focus: Professional skill acquisition and technical performance

The transition to a pro-focused format marks the first time the American franchise has dedicated a full series to the development of its own internal talent pool. As the industry continues to evolve, this spin-off serves as a testing ground for how the Dancing With the Stars brand can expand its reach without relying solely on celebrity casting.