ABC Executive Confirms 'The Bachelor' Franchise Will Continue Despite Bachelorette Season Cancellation

Franchise Not Going Anywhere, Says Disney Unscripted Chief

Despite the cancellation of Taylor Frankie Paul's Bachelorette season, ABC's top unscripted executive has reassured audiences that the long-running dating franchise remains a cornerstone of the network's programming strategy. Rob Mills, executive vice president of unscripted and alternative entertainment at Walt Disney Television, emphasized the franchise's staying power while discussing future plans.

The Bachelorette season 22, which was supposed to premiere on March 22, was shelved just three days before air date. The decision came after a damaging video surfaced related to Paul's 2023 domestic violence arrest, along with investigations into new allegations involving the reality television personality and her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. In April, the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office opted not to file charges regarding the new incidents.

Franchise Moving Forward With Multiple Iterations

Paul's casting was strategically chosen to revitalize viewership numbers. As a breakout star from Hulu's The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, her involvement was intended to cross-promote both networks and attract fresh audiences following declining ratings. The female-led cycle was already scheduled to skip 2025 after Jenn Tran's 21st season concluded.

When asked about the franchise's future at a recent programming presentation, Mills made his position unambiguous: "The Bachelor franchise is not going anywhere." He confirmed that season 30 of The Bachelor will premiere midseason, while the 11th season of Bachelor in Paradise is scheduled for summer 2026.

Rather than committing exclusively to one show format, Mills indicated the network will adapt its approach based on storytelling opportunities. "Whatever the right stories are for us to tell, that's what we're going to tell," he explained. This flexibility suggests future seasons could feature either The Bachelor, Golden Bachelor, or other franchise iterations depending on what Mills described as "incredible format" opportunities.

Paul's Future Remains Uncertain

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has resumed production on its fifth season following a monthlong pause related to the investigation into Paul's conduct. However, her participation in that season remains undetermined.

Regarding whether Paul's Bachelorette season could ever air, Mills took a cautious stance: "I think everything really is a day at a time." He prioritized addressing her personal needs above all production considerations, stating, "Everything concerning Taylor, first and foremost, is that we're making sure anything she needs on a human level is taken care of, and then we can talk about anything from the show perspective."

Mills suggested the network will provide more detailed plans about The Bachelor franchise's direction at next year's industry presentation, but the immediate focus remains on launching the previously announced seasons.