Brandon “The Lightning Bolt” Blackwell was announced as a new Chaser on The Chase Australia in February 2024. The American quiz competitor was set to join host Larry Emdur; the announcement is historical, and the available 2026 programme listing does not establish whether Blackwell remains in the Australian cast.
Who is Brandon “The Lightning Bolt” Blackwell?
Blackwell is a quiz-show competitor from Queens, New York. A February 2024 profile by PerthNow described him as a regular on the American version of The Chase and an international quiz competitor. The profile also called him a World SpeedQuizzing Champion and one of the highest-scoring players on University Challenge.
PerthNow reported that Blackwell won two medals at the 2016 Quiz Olympiad in Athens and placed second in the under-30 World Quizzing Championship in 2020. These are credentials reported by the publication, rather than competition records independently established here.
When did Blackwell join The Chase Australia?
Seven’s 7NEWS announced on 23 February 2024 that Blackwell, known as “The Lightning Bolt,” was set to debut on the Australian show. 7NEWS interviewed him about the move, and PerthNow published a profile two days later. Mediaweek reported at the time that his planned start was Monday 26 February 2024 at 5 pm on Channel 7 and 7plus; that was the announced schedule then, not a current broadcast time.
#1 Best Overall
- Ginger Fox The Chase TV Card game based on the official ITV quiz show
- Outwit and outrun the Chaser and your opponents in this race to win the most cash
- Gamble or play it safe just donÕt get caught
- Packed with over 120 questions
- The Chase official exclusive card game
How did he prepare for Australian questions and accents?
Blackwell said he watched Australian television to get used to local speech, including The Morning Show with Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies. “I wanted to make sure that I could hear exactly what Larry was saying and understand the way that he speaks,” he told PerthNow.
He also researched Australian subjects before filming. “I didn’t want to make a fool of myself if they asked about any Australian things, so I did lots of research,” he said. He added that he paid attention to advertising on trains and in television commercials, saying he was a quick learner.
Rank #2
- VIBRANT COLOR GAME: Challenge friends and family to connect words with colors in the engaging Hues and Cues, featuring 480 colorful hues for limitless fun!
- FUN FOR ALL AGES: Perfect for family game nights, parties, or casual play, this game brings players of all ages together with simple rules and exciting gameplay.
- UNIQUE EXPERIENCE: No two rounds are the same! Hues and Cues provides a new and unique experience with each playthrough, keeping the fun fresh and engaging.
- CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE: Use just one or two word clues to guide others to the right hue, sparking creative thinking and fostering fun team interaction.
- QUICK TO LEARN: Hues and Cues offers fast-paced action with easy rules, making it enjoyable for both casual players, and gaming enthusiasts.
What did Blackwell say about the Australian and US versions?
In his 2024 interview with 7NEWS, Blackwell described the Australian version as more relaxed and banter-filled than the American one. “This version feels a lot more relaxed, a lot more enjoyable and chill, there’s a lot more banter,” he said. He characterized the US show as less frequent and more of an event. That is Blackwell’s personal impression, not a definitive comparison of the two productions.
Who hosts The Chase Australia?
Larry Emdur was announced as host in 2021. Seven’s announcement described The Chase Australia as an ITV Studios Australia production for the Seven Network, based on the original ITV quiz show. The official 7plus listing also identifies Emdur as host.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- GAME OF SWEET REVENGE: Enjoy classic Sorry! gameplay with this Sorry! board game for kids. It's an edge-of-your-seat race to home, so hurry up and get there first
- FIRST ONE HOME WINS: Who will be the first player to get all 3 of their pawns to the home space? But watch out! Players can get "sweet revenge" by sending each other's pawns back to the starting point
- SO MANY POSSIBILITIES: Slide, collide, and score to win the Sorry! game. This family game for kids and adults features so many possibilities depending on the card picked up and strategy chosen
- CLASSIC SORRY! GAMEPLAY: Remember playing the original Sorry! game as a kid? Bring back memories of playing the Sorry! game with family members and introduce it to a new generation
- FAMILY GAME NIGHT FAVORITE: A go-to game for family time or anytime indoor fun, the Sorry! game for kids is one of the best family games for game night
Where can you watch The Chase Australia?
7plus lists episodes of The Chase Australia. Its listing included episodes dated as late as 29 September 2026 when checked, but streaming catalogues can change. That listing confirms the programme is available there; it does not confirm Blackwell’s current Australian cast status.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Brandon Blackwell still a Chaser on the Australian show?
The February 2024 announcement confirms he was set to join The Chase Australia then. The current 7plus programme listing does not name the Australian Chasers, so it does not establish whether he still appears on the show. The American ABC description of The Chase identifies Blackwell as one of its US Chasers, but that is evidence about the American version, not his present Australian status.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- FUN FAMILY GAME FOR KIDS: Remember playing the original Trouble board game as a kid? Introduce a new generation to classic Trouble gameplay with this Trouble game for kids
- EASY TO LEARN AND SET UP: The Trouble game is easy to play and quick set up. The object of the game is simple: the first player to get all of their game pieces around the board wins
- POWER UP SPACES: The game instructions include options for classic Trouble gameplay or a version with Power Up Spaces for a more challenging game
- POP-O-MATIC BUBBLE: In this beloved children's board game, players press and pop the plastic bubble to roll the die. The iconic Pop-o-Matic die roller is fun to press, and it keeps the die from getting lost
- BOARD GAMES FOR FAMILY: Adults and kids can play this family board game together. It's a fun indoor game for playdates and a great choice for Family Game Night
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
