From Love Island’s ‘bombshell’ to dazzling at the Globes: The unstoppable rise of Maura Higgins

While Britons are currently hooked on the turret-based antics of Harriet, Stephen, Rachel, Fiona et al, the fourth US series – which always features “celebrities” (a loose term) rather than civilians – is airing on Peacock, hosted once again by an ever-camper Alan Cumming. The 23 players include more than a dozen people who have appeared on other reality shows, as well as a few actors, comedians, a singer, a retired figure skater, and Taylor Swift’s future mother-in-law, Donna Kelce.

(I would name names, but beyond the veteran comic actor Michael Rapaport, who appeared in Friends, Prison Break and Only Murders in the Building, you’ve not heard of them. Trust me on that.)

Still, Higgins is there as a minnow, and until this month was largely unknown to US audiences beyond those who watch Love Island USA. Yet between her outfits – a leather caped catsuit one day, a French Resistance beret the next – and her round-table putdowns, including taking on the pugnacious Rapaport, she has become the breakout star of the series.

She has even earned the respect and admiration of “Queens of Bravo”, a popular account on X indirectly responsible for anointing the next woman you’ll see featured on the Daily Mail showbiz sidebar every day for the next five years, but never quite be sure of their job. “Maura being unafraid and standing up to Michael is so far my favoritest part of the new season,” it posted.