Fans felt shock as 2026 casting landed this week, after ABC and producers quietly reshuffled the franchise timeline. The reveal – announced Sept. 10 on the Call Her Daddy podcast – matters because it pairs a reality star tied to a 2022 “soft-swinging” scandal with a fragile, rebooted season schedule. People and CNN report the show will return in 2026, while Paul stays attached to her Hulu series. This forces production and parental logistics. Will the gamble pay off for viewers and ABC?
What Taylor Frankie Paul’s casting means for The Bachelorette in 2026
• Taylor Frankie Paul was announced as season 22 lead on Sept. 10, 2025; impact: national headlines.
• ABC paused the show from its usual summer slot; impact: return pushed to 2026.
• Paul remains on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, returning Nov. 13, 2025; impact: scheduling clash questions.
Why ABC’s 2026 timing for this surprise pick matters this week
The Disney+/Hulu/Max Bundle Saves You $847 Annually
Max Streams These 8 Oscar Winners Nobody’s Watching
This hit now because the franchise is emerging from a scheduling pause and needs ratings momentum. One number matters: 2026 is when season 22 is slated, not summer 2025. That shift gives producers more time, but it also hands critics and fans more runway to question whether a star tied to a public scandal will help or hurt viewership. If you follow the franchise, you’ll want to know how this rewires casting math. What does ABC risk versus gain?
Which reactions signal early trouble – and which cheer the casting win?
Early responses split across insiders, fans and the Bachelorette ecosystem. Podcasters and social clips lit up after the Call Her Daddy announcement; commentators either called the pick “ratings gold” or “a risky PR bet.” If you’re a fan, expect hot takes and memes.
Night Flight Plus Streams Cult Classics Cable Won’t Touch Anymore
Rotate Your Subscriptions Like This to Save $1,200 This Year
Data points that reveal how this casting changes the franchise’s calendar
- ABC confirmed the series pause in March 2025; scheduling windows have shifted.
- People and CNN note Paul’s Hulu series returns Nov. 13, 2025, creating overlap questions.
The numbers that show how this casting shifts reality TV in 2026
| Metric | Value + Unit | Change/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Announcement date | Sept. 10, 2025 | Public reveal via podcast |
| Bachelorette return | 2026 | Delayed from usual summer slot |
| SLOMW season 3 premiere | Nov. 13, 2025 | Potential production overlap |
This casting forces scheduling and family logistics decisions for producers and Paul.
What insiders, parents and viewers are saying about the risks and rewards
Producers get a media moment and a built-in audience crossover from Hulu, but they also inherit baggage. Paul is a single mom of three who flagged co-parenting logistics on the podcast; that personal detail becomes a production challenge and a marketing hook. If you loved the franchise for fairy-tale arcs, expect a more friction-filled narrative. Who buys into that narrative will decide whether ABC’s risk becomes a ratings lift or a controversy cycle.
What this means for viewers and ABC in 2026 – will it pay off?
ABC is betting that a viral star with a complicated backstory will bring attention to a paused franchise in 2026. Expect a louder social season, more streaming cross-promotion, and production hurdles around travel and co-parenting. Will curiosity convert to stable viewership? That’s the question advertisers and fans will watch all year.
Will you tune in to watch how it unfolds?
Sources
- https://people.com/secret-lives-of-mormon-wives-taylor-frankie-paul-named-bachelorette-lead-season-22-11807006
- https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/10/entertainment/taylor-frankie-secret-lives-mormon-bachelorette
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.