Fans felt shock Sept. 10, 2025 when a podcast reveal upended Bachelor Nation and forced a fresh look at the franchise. The timing matters because ABC had paused the series earlier in 2025, and this casting signals a deliberate reboot ahead of 2026. People reports that Taylor Frankie Paul, the mom-of-three who rose on Hulu’s Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, accepted the lead spot on the Call Her Daddy episode. That shift could change casting, ratings and cross-promotion strategies. Will this move reset how ABC packages the show next year?
What Taylor Frankie Paul’s Sept. 10 casting means for viewers and the franchise
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Taylor Frankie Paul was named Bachelorette on Sept. 10, 2025; season set for 2026.
Announcement aired on Call Her Daddy podcast; ABC confirmed the show’s delayed return.
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Paul will remain on Secret Lives of Mormon Wives; Nov. 13, 2025 SLOMW season 3 premiere ties schedules.
Why this reveal hits harder than a routine casting choice in 2025
The announcement lands at a moment of structural change: ABC delayed The Bachelorette’s usual summer slot earlier this year, so this casting is not just routine casting but a public test of the franchise’s strategy for 2026. Taylor Frankie Paul brings reality‑TV baggage and mainstream influencer reach – a mix that could both spike curiosity and polarize longtime viewers. If ABC uses Paul’s cross‑platform profile to drive previews and streaming promos, the network could accelerate a ratings rebound or risk alienating traditional fans. Which path will win out for franchise longevity?
How fans and insiders reacted within hours of the Sept. 10 reveal
People captured Paul’s own reaction on the podcast: “Surreal. It has not hit me right now in this moment,” she said, confessing nerves about co‑parenting while filming. Many Bachelor Nation accounts split between excitement and skepticism within hours of the drop. Podcast listeners and reality‑TV social feeds immediately turned the reveal into a trending moment, with creators dissecting logistics, custody concerns and potential villain arcs. If you follow the feeds, this casting already feels like the season people will debate – will it convert curiosity into tune‑in?
3 figures that explain why this casting matters heading into 2026
Social attention, scheduling and cross‑promotion are the clearest levers here. Paul’s Hulu exposure gives ABC a ready audience; networks often chase that multi‑platform lift. Past franchise pauses correlate with format tweaks and marketing pushes that raise midseason ratings by low double digits in successful rollouts. The immediate metric to watch is premium preview engagement and early streaming views for tie‑in content.
The numbers that change the game for Bachelor Nation in 2026
| KPI | Value + Unit | Change/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Season number | 22 | Marks the next full-season cycle |
| Premiere year | 2026 | Franchise returns after 2025 pause |
| SLOMW season 3 premiere | Nov. 13, 2025 | Cross-promotion window before 2026 |
What will Taylor Frankie Paul’s season mean for fans and ratings in 2026?
Expect intense early attention, scrutiny of parental logistics, and higher social chatter than a typical casting. If ABC converts Paul’s influencer reach into promos, 2026 could see a measurable ratings uptick – or a reputational backlash if viewers view the choice as stunt casting. Either way, the franchise is now testing whether cross‑platform fame reliably translates into sustained viewers. Will curiosity this fall become a ratings rebound next year?
Sources
- https://people.com/secret-lives-of-mormon-wives-taylor-frankie-paul-named-bachelorette-lead-season-22-11807006
- https://deadline.com/2025/02/the-bachelorette-paused-2025-abc-1236282465/
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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.