After a year‑long break, “The Bachelorette” is officially returning in 2026 with a brand‑new face leading the season.
ABC originally announced in September that Taylor Frankie Paul — a TikTok personality and breakout star of Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” — will serve as the next Bachelorette for Season 22, sparking widespread curiosity among Bachelor Nation fans about what’s in store for the franchise.
Inside Season 22 of ‘The Bachelorette’ 2026 with Taylor Frankie Paul
The news was confirmed on Wednesday, Sept. 10, during an episode of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, hosted by Alex Cooper. The announcement instantly sparked conversation, as Paul, 31, is not a past contestant from the franchise, breaking tradition.
“After igniting ‘MomTok’ and going viral for pulling back the curtain on Salt Lake’s soft-swinging scene in Hulu’s Emmy Award-nominated series ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,’ the 31-year-old Utah native is ready to trade headline-making heartbreak for hometown dates as she begins making her mark on Bachelor Nation,” ABC said in a press statement.
Paul has built a massive online following, boasting 6 million TikTok followers and an additional 2 million on Instagram. She’s known for her honest and emotional content, with ABC describing her voice as both comedic and “bitingly honest.”
When Does ‘The Bachelorette’ and ‘The Bachelor’ Air in 2026?
ABC confirmed that Season 22 of “The Bachelorette” will premiere on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. New episodes will air weekly on Sunday nights.
This marks a shift from the franchise’s traditional early January debut and suggests a reshuffling of the usual Bachelor Nation schedule. It also helps explain why “The Bachelor” Season 30 — which ABC renewed in June 2025 — has not yet been given an official premiere date.
According to Deadline, casting for the upcoming season is still underway. The renewal process was also slowed by the search for a new showrunner after executive producers Claire Freeland and Bennett Graebner stepped down following the conclusion of Season 29.
How to Watch ‘The Bachelorette’ Season 22
“The Bachelorette” will air live on ABC and be available to stream the following day on Hulu. Viewers can also catch up on past seasons through the Hulu platform.
As of 2026, Hulu’s ad-supported plan is priced at $11.99 per month or $119.99 annually. Students can subscribe for $1.99 per month with ads, while the ad-free version runs $18.99 monthly.
Whether you’re tuning in for drama, love, or Taylor’s viral presence, this upcoming season promises to bring a fresh perspective to the franchise.
