'A ridiculously challenging time': The Block's creator Julian Cress on how the pandemic shook this season

It might be said every year, but it’s safe to say this season of The Block will be like no other.

This year, five teams are expected to transform homes from five different decades in the Melbourne beachside suburb of Brighton.

The twist comes halfway through the competition, when the teams were sent home for six weeks as the country went into lockdown – a Block first.

Julian Cress, creator and producer of The Block, spoke on Domain’s Property Unpacked podcast about the impact the pandemic had on-set and how it compared to previous years of the show.

“When we got to the end of last year’s season, I admitted that we’ve almost gone too far with that series and the challenge we set for the contestants. We called it the biggest and hardest Block ever …The contestants were absolutely exhausted at the end of it,” he says.

“We made a conscious effort to step back from that with this series. So we were really joyful at the beginning of this series for what we thought would be a much easier show to make.

View The Block properties for sale

House 1, Harry and Tash: 364 New Street, Brighton

House 2, Sarah and George: 362B New Street, Brighton

House 3, Daniel and Jade: 362A New Street, Brighton

House 4, Luke and Jasmin: 360B New Street, Brighton

House 5, Jimmy and Tam: 360A New Street, Brighton

“Then, of course, the storm clouds appeared on the horizon – a global pandemic – and suddenly we found ourselves doing the hardest Block ever – again!”

Cress said the efforts of the contestants and crew were extraordinary.

“I’m really proud of everybody getting through a ridiculously challenging time and very scary at times for them, because of the uncertainty.”

Also speaking on the same episode of Property Unpacked was anotherThe Block veteran, principal director of Belle Property Albert Park David Wood, who has helped lead three teams to victory on the show.

Wood explains the differences between the various methods of selling a property – from auctions to expressions of interest campaigns.

Hear the full episode of Property Unpacked on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere else you find your podcasts.