Love Island USA is mourning the death of Executive Producer James Barker, who died last week in Fiji during filming of Season 8 after an unexpected medical emergency. Peacock and ITV America confirmed the loss will be honored in Tuesday’s episode.
Film nights on Fiji beach sets come with their own kind of magic—until a medical emergency changes everything.
Peacock and ITV America confirmed on Monday that Executive Producer James Barker died last week while working on Love Island USA’s ongoing Season 8 in Fiji. The networks said they will honor him in Tuesday’s episode of the series, after his sudden passing.
“ITV America and Peacock will honor in Tuesday’s episode of Love Island USA series Executive Producer James Barker, who passed away last week in Fiji after suffering an unexpected medical emergency.”
Barker was 40, NBC News reported.
In their statement, Peacock and ITV America said the loss has been felt across the production as well as throughout ITV and Peacock.
“James’ unimaginable loss has been deeply felt across not just the entire Love Island USA production, but throughout all of ITV and Peacock.”
They also described him as more than a colleague—someone who shaped the culture around the work.
“He was a beloved and greatly valued member of our collective family whose kindness, talent and dedication left an indelible mark on all of us and everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. We extend our heartfelt condolences to James’ partner, family, friends and colleagues.”
The networks did not share the exact details of what happened beyond the medical emergency.
James Barker joined Love Island USA in 2020 and worked his way up to Executive Producer during the last three seasons, People reported. His responsibilities included helping with the show’s production and post-production, and overseeing the soundtrack.
Beyond Love Island USA, his career also included work on Pawn Stars, Queer Eye, Love Island Games, and more. He also worked as a DJ.
Earlier this month, Barker praised his production team while hyping up the new season—words that now carry a different weight as the show’s crew confronts a loss that no filming schedule can outrun.
As filming continues, Tuesday’s episode is set to offer the public moment the networks say everyone involved deserves—an acknowledgment of the partner, family, friends, colleagues, and cast and crew who are left to process this heartbreak in real time, far from home.
Love Island USA James Barker Peacock ITV America Season 8 Fiji executive producer dies medical emergency