Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” was pulled by ABC just days before it was set to premiere in March, but questions remain about what happens next.
The season has already been filmed, and with production costs, ongoing legal developments, and new insight from a former producer, its future remains unresolved.
ABC Pulled ‘Bachelorette’ Season Days Before Its Premiere
HuluABC announced in March that it would not move forward with Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” following the release of an explosive video involving an altercation between Paul and her ex, Dakota Mortensen.
“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 from parent company Disney said in a statement to People at the time.
The wording of the network’s statement—specifically the phrase, “at this time”—left open the possibility of a future release, former “Bachelor” producer Julie LaPlaca recently told Entertainment Weekly.
‘Bachelor’ Producer Suggests Taylor Frankie Paul’s Season May Still Air
HuluEntertainment Weekly also reported that upcoming legal developments, including court proceedings, could play a role in determining whether the season is eventually released.
LaPlaca, who spoke to the outlet about her upcoming memoir, “The Love Producer: My Unscripted Journey from a Reality TV Career to My Own Happily Ever After,” suggested there may still be an effort to move forward with the show despite its cancellation.
“I think they’re hoping to salvage it,” she said. “If they can find a way, they will.”
LaPlaca added that financial considerations are also a factor.
“At the end of the day, though, it’s money and they have a season that they shot and they want to air,” she said.
Millions at Stake After ‘Bachelorette’ Cancellation
ABCAccording to TMZ, each episode of “The Bachelorette” costs around $2 million to produce, with multiple episodes of Paul’s season already completed or in post-production.
The outlet reported that only the first episode was fully finished, while three others were still being edited. The remainder “pretty much haven’t been touched.”
Additionally, the “huge” post-production staff “will now have to be laid off,” TMZ said, citing a source with direct knowledge.
The cancellation also impacts advertising deals, known as “trade-outs,” where brands—like airlines and hotels—pay for placement within the show. TMZ reported those losses could be “a fortune.”
Future casting for the franchise also takes a hit, as the next lead of “The Bachelor” is often selected from contestants who gain popularity during the season.
“Now producers have to start from scratch, because those contenders are no longer viable,” TMZ reports. This could potentially delay the next season of “The Bachelor” or a past contestant could be tapped as the lead.
“That’s not ideal for ratings,” TMZ said.
