Special Forces Season 4 has taken over American television with an intensity few reality series can match. From its explosive premiere on September 25, 2025, on FOX, the series has delivered high-stakes drama, extreme military-inspired challenges, and emotional breakthroughs that have captivated viewers across the country.
Within just the first weeks, the new season has already shocked audiences with unexpected voluntary withdrawals, emotional breakdowns, and unforgettable confrontations. Set against the harsh landscapes of Morocco, this edition is testing its star-studded lineup like never before — both physically and mentally.
A Bold and Controversial Celebrity Lineup
One of the biggest talking points of Special Forces Season 4 is its celebrity cast. The show has built its reputation on stripping away fame, luxury, and comfort, forcing celebrities to survive in the toughest conditions imaginable. This season’s roster is one of the most diverse and headline-grabbing to date.
Eighteen celebrities from various walks of life — reality television, professional sports, entertainment, and social media — signed up to endure military-style training. Some are household names with long careers, while others are newer stars looking to prove themselves.
Jussie Smollett’s inclusion generated instant buzz. His participation marks a high-profile return to television after years out of the spotlight. Teresa Giudice and her daughter Gia made history as the first mother-daughter team on the show, adding a unique emotional element to the season. Jessie James Decker and Eric Decker, a well-known married couple, are testing not only their personal limits but also their ability to function together under pressure.
The cast also includes NFL veterans Randall Cobb and Johnny Manziel, Olympic champion Shawn Johnson East and her husband Andrew East, reality TV figures Brittany Cartwright and Kody Brown, model Chanel Iman, actress Eva Marcille, internet personality Brianna LaPaglia, actor Ravi V. Patel, and social media star Mark Estes.
Each participant brings a distinct background and personality to the grueling environment, creating a mix of competition, camaraderie, and inevitable conflict.
A New Setting That Pushes Limits
For Special Forces Season 4, the production team relocated to the rugged and unforgiving terrain of Morocco. This shift in location added new environmental challenges for the celebrities, including scorching daytime temperatures, cold nights, sandstorms, and unpredictable terrain.
The Moroccan desert became more than just a backdrop; it became an active force in the competition. From climbing in blistering heat to maneuvering through narrow underground tunnels and facing fearsome heights, contestants had to adapt quickly or risk failure. The change of scenery injected fresh energy into the series, ensuring that even returning viewers would see tasks and conditions unlike anything from previous seasons.
Extreme Challenges That Mirror Real Military Training
The challenges on Special Forces Season 4 are designed by experienced former special forces operatives. These tasks aren’t reality TV gimmicks — they’re adaptations of real training exercises used by elite military units worldwide.
In the opening episodes alone, recruits faced:
- Underwater escape drills simulating aircraft submersion, where quick thinking and calmness under pressure were the difference between success and failure.
- Urban ladder crossings at extreme heights, testing balance, focus, and the ability to perform under crippling fear.
- Sandstorm navigation missions, where visibility drops to almost zero, forcing participants to rely on teamwork and instinct.
- Close-quarters tunnel runs, which triggered intense claustrophobia for several contestants.
- Team extraction tasks, requiring communication and trust under time pressure.
The staff overseeing these challenges maintain military discipline at all times. Celebrities are stripped of their titles and treated as recruits, addressed by assigned numbers rather than their names. There are no eliminations — participants either pass the tasks or withdraw when they hit their breaking point.
Early Exits Shock Viewers
Even for seasoned reality TV fans, the early departures this season have been jaw-dropping. Within just two episodes, several well-known names voluntarily withdrew or were forced to leave due to medical issues.
Brittany Cartwright left the course just hours after it began. She admitted she underestimated the environment’s intensity, describing her short time there as overwhelming both physically and mentally.
Eva Marcille faced a medical emergency during the underwater escape drill. After successfully exiting the submerged structure, she struggled in the water and had to be pulled out by safety divers. She was later removed from the competition for her own safety.
Teresa Giudice’s exit was one of the most emotional moments so far. Known for her strong personality, she ultimately decided to leave after struggling with the emotional weight of seeing her daughter Gia endure the punishing tasks. Her withdrawal left Gia to face the remainder of the course on her own, a decision that drew both admiration and sympathy from viewers.
These departures underline the brutal reality of Special Forces Season 4 — it’s not about popularity, strategy, or alliances. It’s about enduring hardship until you can’t anymore.
Jussie Smollett’s High-Profile Return
Jussie Smollett’s presence has been one of the most talked-about elements of this season. His decision to participate is widely seen as a personal test and a public reintroduction. Early episodes have shown him opening up about his past, discussing how his life has been shaped by controversy and public perception.
Facing these challenges in such a raw environment has given viewers a rare, unfiltered glimpse into his mindset. Whether he can last the entire course remains one of the major storylines to watch this season.
Tensions and Personal Struggles Add Emotional Depth
Physical endurance isn’t the only battle being fought on Special Forces Season 4. Interpersonal tensions, emotional breakthroughs, and deep-seated fears have added an intense psychological layer to the show.
Mark Estes has candidly spoken about confronting personal fears he didn’t even know existed, from claustrophobia in tunnels to paralyzing fear of heights during aerial challenges. Gia Giudice has found herself navigating not only the harsh physical tasks but also complicated dynamics with some castmates, including Kody Brown.
These interactions have brought authentic drama to the season — not the manufactured conflicts of typical reality shows, but raw, emotional exchanges forged in high-pressure environments.
Airing Schedule and How to Watch
For American viewers, Special Forces Season 4 airs every Thursday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on FOX. Those who prefer streaming can catch episodes the following day on Hulu, ensuring fans can stay up to date even if they miss the live broadcast.
The show is also available through several live TV streaming services that carry FOX, giving viewers multiple ways to follow the action each week.
Why Special Forces Season 4 Feels Different
This season stands out for several reasons:
- Bolder Casting Choices: The lineup includes some of the most talked-about figures in entertainment, creating built-in intrigue.
- Unforgiving Setting: Morocco’s harsh terrain elevates the danger and spectacle of the challenges.
- Heightened Emotional Stakes: Family dynamics, personal redemption arcs, and interpersonal conflicts create gripping storylines beyond the physical tasks.
- Authenticity: The challenges are more raw, dangerous, and realistic than typical reality competitions, setting the show apart.
- High Viewer Engagement: Discussions around certain cast members, particularly Jussie Smollett and the Giudices, have fueled conversation both on and off the screen.
The Road Ahead
With several weeks still to go, the competition is only expected to intensify. Each task grows more demanding, pushing celebrities closer to their breaking points. The unpredictability of who will stay and who will leave is one of the reasons audiences can’t look away.
Fans are also closely watching emerging leaders and unexpected underdogs. Some contestants who entered quietly have shown surprising resilience, while others who were expected to dominate have already bowed out. As the season progresses, it’s clear that only those who can adapt mentally and physically will make it to the end.
Special Forces Season 4 isn’t just another reality show — it’s a relentless test of endurance, courage, and character under the harshest conditions. It strips away the glamour of celebrity life and exposes raw human determination in a way few programs dare to do. Which contestant has surprised you the most so far? Share your thoughts and keep following the season as the drama unfolds week by week.