After an absolutely insane tenth season jam-packed with all the drama one tends to associate with Married at First Sight (and a little bit of love sprinkled in), it’s hard to imagine how the upcoming 2024 season will manage to top it.
But, in true MAFS style, we are sure season eleven will do more than just outshine its predecessor (both in ratings, storylines, and cast) as the eyes of the nation tune in for the dinner parties, commitment ceremonies, and maybe even some blossoming relationships – if we are so lucky!
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So far, details of the 2024 season are scarce.
But, with the help of the internet, sneaky paparazzi, and social media the identities of our newest batch of brides and grooms have been unveiled as filming of the new season gets underway.
Who has been cast on MAFS 2024?
Channel Nine has yet to formally release the full cast list, however, The Daily Mail has confirmed that brides who are taking part in the experiment include micro-influencer Eden, 28, business development manager Tori, 27, nutrition and fitness coach Sara, 29, model Cassandra, 30, cosmetic nurse Ellie, 32, marriage celebrant Lucinda, 43, wedding photographer Andrea, 51, PR consultant Lauren, 32, osteopath Natalia, 32 and intruder brides Maddy and Jade.
As for the grooms, viewers can expect to see the brother of former MAFS groom Mitch Eynaud, Jayden Eynaud taking part, as well as “almost Bachelor” Ben Walters, personal trainer Jacob Dunkley, longtime MAFS fan turned participant Collins Christian, Melbourne-based real estate agent Tim Smith and several others.
And in a series first, two men will also be getting “married” onscreen….at least they were.
The Daily Mail has reported that Adelaide-based hospitality worked Simon Flocco withdrew from the show, despite already having filmed his backstory and meeting costars at the bucks night.
“He kept having doubts, expressing his discomfort,” an insider source revealed to the publication.
“He kept telling them that he didn’t feel comfortable about certain things but was eventually talked into staying.”
“Producers, hungry for a groundbreaking narrative, persuaded him to stick around. That’s why he was at the bucks.”
Simon himself then went on the record to say that he withdrew from the show as it “wasn’t what [he] thought [he] wanted at this point in [his] life.”
“I just felt bad for whoever they set me up with. I did initially leave, but they managed to coax me back…I gotta look out for myself.”
The almost groom then fled Australia for Europe, where he has been holidaying since July. All scenes featuring Simon and his “groom” Michael will presumably be edited out of the show.
Speaking to Yahoo Lifestyle, an “insider source” revealed that producers were looking for a more diverse cast of people from all walks of life.
“Producers want a more diverse cast that will cover a wider range of social issues, sexualities, and genders than previous seasons,” they said.
“The show is meant to represent modern-day Australia, and producers are making a real effort to do that this time round rather than just having another cast full of cis-gendered, heterosexual participants.”
The supposed insider then hinted as an individual being cast who “identifies as non-binary, gender-fluid or is trans.”
At the 63rd TV Week Logie Awards, expert John Aiken said “Diversity is going to be the word that I would use for this cast.”
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Speaking of the cast, Channel Nine’s Content Production and Development Head Adrian Swift has revealed to the Herald Sun that the new season would see a major adjustment in “tone.”
“We have tried to move away from the screechy and the shouty,” he said.
“We still give it all the drama that it needs, but we’ve tried to absolutely make sure all the relationships we see genuine potential in.”
“This year what we have tried to do really carefully, exhaustively, is go ‘is this right?'”
“There will still be those moments when they (contestants) take one look (at each other) and it all goes south, but we are hoping that there is a lot of love in this season.”
When will Married at First Sight premiere in 2024?
Married at First Sight 2024 will premier on Monday, January 29 at 7:30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
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Who are the experts on Married at First Sight Australia?
The clinical sexologist Alessandra Rampolla, relationship expert John Aiken, and dating and relationship expert Melissa Schilling will be returning to help support the love lives of our newest cohort of brides and grooms.
