Nigeria: Taylor Frankie Paul set to return for ‘The secret lives of mormon wives’
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria
The show is currently in active production. Most of the cast, minus Paul, has already been spotted filming in Utah and on the series’ first international cast trip to Milan. There is no word yet on whether Paul will return as a full-time cast member or in a guest capacity.
Paul’s return comes after a turbulent year. Season 5 of _Mormon Wives_ was paused mid-production following an alleged domestic incident between Paul and her ex, Dakota Mortensen.
Production halted while an investigation was underway. The upcoming season 5, set to premiere on Hulu on September 10, will be shortened to five episodes. All of those episodes were filmed after Paul wrapped _The Bachelorette_ and before the allegations surfaced.
During that pause, Paul did not film confessional interviews for season 5. She only returned for the opening title shoot. Sources told THR at the time that the decision about her future on the show was “in her court,” and that producers wanted her back “if and when she was ready.
Page Six reported Wednesday that her comeback has “the full support of ABC and Disney.” A source close to production added: “ABC’s been great. They have total faith throughout. It’s been a very open line of communication with ABC, and they’ve been supportive throughout this process.”
Paul is also an executive producer on _Mormon Wives_ alongside the rest of the cast, giving her a stake in the show’s direction.
Paul’s return to Hulu comes as questions linger over her time as _The Bachelorette_.
ABC pulled her season just days before its scheduled March premiere after a 2023 video leaked showing Paul throwing barstools at Mortensen during a domestic dispute. The incident led to her arrest.
Days later, NBC News reported Paul was under investigation for a third alleged domestic violence incident involving Mortensen, this one said to have occurred in 2024. All three alleged incidents involve the same ex-partner.
On April 7, Paul filed for and was granted a temporary restraining order against Mortensen. In court documents obtained by THR, she detailed multiple alleged abusive incidents, including one on February 23 where she said he “became physically violent” and slammed her head on the dashboard of his truck.
Because of the controversy, ABC pulled the season entirely and has not announced any plans to air it.
A first-look clip for _Mormon Wives_ season 5 complicated matters further. In it, Paul reveals she got engaged while filming _The Bachelorette_, but says “things changed” once she returned home. That spoiler-heavy admission led many fans to assume ABC would never release the season, given the franchise’s strict policy on keeping engagements secret.
_The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives_ became an Emmy-nominated hit for Hulu by leaning into drama, faith, motherhood, and the fallout of “soft swinging” allegations that launched the series. Paul was at the center of that initial scandal and has remained one of the show’s most talked-about figures.
Her storyline — from influencer mom to reality TV lead to domestic violence survivor — has given the series some of its most emotional moments. Producers have signaled they see value in letting her tell that story on her own terms.
The decision to bring her back also reflects how reality TV has shifted. Networks are increasingly navigating how to handle cast members involved in legal and personal controversies, weighing audience interest against brand risk.
In Paul’s case, ABC and Disney appear to be taking a supportive stance, at least within the Hulu ecosystem.
Filming for season 6 is already underway. The cast trip to Milan marks the first time the show has gone international, suggesting producers are expanding the scope of the series.
It’s unclear how much Paul will appear. She could film as a full-time cast member, or she could pop in for specific storylines and check-ins. Given her EP credit, she will likely have input on how her narrative is handled.
For Paul, the return offers a chance to reframe her public story. Since the _Bachelorette_ fallout, she has spoken more openly about abuse, co-parenting, and healing. _Mormon Wives_ has been the platform where that has played out.
Paul’s situation highlights two trends in reality TV right now: the blurring of lines between different franchises, and the challenge of separating a person’s art from their personal life.
She went from _Mormon Wives_ to _The Bachelorette_ and back again in under a year. That kind of crossover is rare, and it put ABC in the difficult position of promoting a lead while a separate network, Hulu, was airing episodes about her personal life.
Now, with _Bachelorette_ shelved and _Mormon Wives_ moving forward, Hulu is the place where viewers will next see her.
Fans have reacted with a mix of support and skepticism online. Some praise her for speaking out and returning to work. Others question whether reality TV is the right space to process ongoing legal and personal matters.
For now, production is continuing without a public timeline for season 6’s premiere.
What is clear is that Taylor Frankie Paul’s story — messy, public, and unresolved — will continue to be a central part of _The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives_. Whether that’s as a lead, a guest, or a producer behind the scenes.
