CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses domestic violence.
A spin-off series based on the addictive Hulu series, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, is reportedly in the works, with a brand-spanking new cast and a tonne of dirty sodas.
According to PEOPLE magazine, an insider has confirmed that a new show surrounding the messiness of the Mormon wives and their lives will be on the ground this fall — which is basically Australia’s spring.
Per the source, the spin-off has yet to be titled. However, it’ll reportedly take place in California’s Orange County, and for now, Jen Affleck is the only original Mormon wife tipped to be cast on the show, alongside nine new stars.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season five production paused amid Dakota Mortensen and Taylor Frankie Paul investigation
The reality TV tea comes shortly after production for The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season five was “shut down” following an alleged on-set dispute between Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex, Dakota Mortensen, TMZ reported.
According to NBC, on March 7, the cast held a 30-minute Zoom call with ABC executives following the reported incident, with boss Rob Mills telling them, “I want this to continue, and I want everyone to continue really being successful, both with this show and beyond it… but I think really, just navigating through this thing and taking care of each other is the most important thing right now.”
The source clarified that the objective of the call was to reassure the ladies that the network cared about them, their safety, and that they shouldn’t feel pressured to film or do press while an outside law firm investigates competing allegations.
A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE that there was an open “domestic assault investigation” regarding The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives stars.
The spokesperson said “allegations have been made in both directions” and authorities contacted the “involved parties on [Feb] 24th and 25th.”
Paul was previously arrested in Utah in early 2023 after police responded to a domestic violence call involving the couple. After the arrest, Paul was charged with two felony counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, one felony count of aggravated assault, and additional misdemeanour counts, including child abuse and criminal mischief.
At the time, Paul was also accused of throwing “heavy, metal chairs” and a wooden playset at Mortensen, with one chair allegedly hitting her young daughter.
Paul has since publicly addressed the 2023 allegations, stating that the charges have been dropped and that the arrest was “the worst night of my life” and a “blessing in disguise” that made her reassess her life.
Earlier this week, TMZ released footage from the 2023 incident. As a result, ABC pulled the plug on Paul’s already-filmed season of The Bachelorette just days before it was set to premiere.
“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a spokesperson for Disney Entertainment Television said about the cancellation of Paul’s Bachelorette.
Taylor Frankie Paul addresses the production of The Secret Wives of Mormon Wives season five
Paul has addressed the news surrounding the production of Mormon Wives season five, telling Good Morning America that she has “gotten word” about the pause in production and that “it’s hard to see past this, in this moment, it’s really heavy”.
The Secret Wives of Mormon Wives stars speak out about season five production
Paul’s Mormon Wives co-stars have seemingly distanced themselves from her, while keeping her children in their thoughts.
Layla Taylor penned a statement to her Instagram Stories, writing, “My personal history as a survivor makes it impossible for me to stay silent. I stand firmly against domestic violence in any form”, adding that she’s “keeping her children in my thoughts, hoping for their safety above all else”.
“Everything has been really heavy to see. Domestic violence and abuse of any kind is something I take very seriously… As a human, and especially a mother, I cannot support that kind of behaviour. My heart is with the children in this, and I hope they’re safe, supported, and surrounded by love,” Miranda McWhorter wrote on her IG Story.
Mikayla Matthews also confirmed to her followers that filming for season five had been paused, adding that “it was a decision that all us girls came up with and agreed on”.
“We didn’t feel comfortable filming with everything that was happening,” she wrote.
Alongside Paul’s investigation, Jordan Ngatikaura, the ex-husband of fellow Secret Lives star Jessi Draper, recently filed a temporary restraining order against Draper less than a week after filing for divorce.
The premiere date for the fifth season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has not been set in stone, and it’s unknown if production will continue following the investigation.
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