It’s been revealed that Married at First Sight Australia producers considered an all-star cast of past participants for the 2025 season.
With it recently being announced that Nine is now accepting applications for the 12th season of the marriage experiment, whispers have been circulating about how the network will keep the series fresh for viewers.
And, according to an insider, one YUGE idea was proposed — bring back stars who had a sh*t go of it!
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“MAFS was looking at bringing people back,” the source told Yahoo! Lifestyle. Think Lizzie Sobinoff‘s return on a much larger scale!!
“After 11 seasons, it wouldn’t be that hard to pull off the idea of a second chance for a select few.”
However, they expressed the idea was soon scrapped.
“It wasn’t strong enough to make a full series of returning brides and grooms,” they explained.
One of the reasons behind Nine poo-pooing the suggestion was that it might divide viewers, with some being disinterested in seeing past stars search for love again.
Who did MAFS producers consider bringing back in 2025?
According to the insider, the MAFS team first turned to those who left the show prematurely this year.
“Natalie [Parham] was someone we started thinking deserved a second chance,” they told the outlet.
“Ash Galati also didn’t really get a fair shot with Madeleine [Jevic]. There are some loose ends that could be tied off.”
The insider continued, “We then started looking back at other brides and grooms from previous years who didn’t get their fairytale ending. We realised we could easily fill the next season with rematched former participants.
“I can see the experts having fun matching them up all over again. Now that they know so much about their relationship history.”
MAFS wouldn’t be the first reality series to enact an all-star season.
Australian Survivor, MasterChef and Love Island have all capitalised on returning stars. Plus, there are currently rumours former The Block winners will return in 2024.
However, industry insiders have found that “contestants often come back, and they are too schooled with the format”.
“It feels less exciting for the viewer,” the insider says. “We know viewers like to explore new storylines rather than reinvesting a personality they have already met.”
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