The upcoming cast ofMarried at First Sightseason 18 proves that the show is heading in a new direction.Married at First Sightoriginally premiered in 2014, and featured three couples up until season 8. Seasons 8 and 9 highlighted the marrying a stranger journeys of four couples, and every season to come after has followed five couples.Married at First Sightseason 18recently got its premiere date of July 16, 2025, after a six-month hiatus between seasons 17 and 18.
Married at First Sightseason 18 will be returning to the Windy City of Chicago for the second time in the show’s history. Season 5, which saw ultra-success coupleAshley Petta and Anthony D’Amico, took place in Chicago back in 2017. Experts Pastor Cal Roberson, Dr. Pepper Schwartz, and Dr. Pia Holec will be returning in season 18 to match the couples and guide them on the eight-week-long journey to Decision Day.MAFSfans are not happy with the experts due to the years of unsuccessful couples, and it’s looking likedisappointment at ill-success is becoming to the norm.
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& It Is Unsettling
There have been many couples over the last few seasons that haven’t even made it close to Decision Day before requesting a divorce. Notably, InMarried at First Sightseason 17, the franchise had its first-ever runaway bride, who told her groom, Michael Shiakallis, that she was not ready to marry a stranger (viaLifetime.) Lauren Goodger and Orion Martzloff broke up upon returning from the honeymoon, Clare Kerr and Cameron Frazer split on their one-month anniversary, and Emily Balch and Brennan Shoyket ended things days before Decision Day.
InMAFSseason 16, Domynique Kloss asked for a divorce from MacKinley Gilbert directly following the honeymoon, and several of the other season 16 couples had little to no promise of working out, but they stuck it out to Decision Day only to give resounding nos to staying married. Moreover, none of theMAFSseason 15 couples from San Diego are still together, and only one couple, Olajuwon Dickerson and Katina Goode, are still together from season 14 in Boston, although they have broken up several times.
Married at First Sight’s entire premise is to underscore the notion that with capable matchmakers, a structured period of getting to know one another, and help via therapy, a lasting marriage is possible between two strangers. However,the last few seasons have been very disappointing, both in their entertainment value and the success rateof the couples. As it stands, theMAFSfranchise only has a 18.75% success rate in the last 17 seasons. This fact, and the historical bombing of most of the couples, means thatMarried at First Sightis moving away from what it once was.
MAFS Is Not Choosing Quality Cast Members
MAFS Is Choosing Drama-Producing Cast
A large part of the reason why theMAFSsuccess rate is so poor is due to poor casting choices.The show seems to be purposefully choosing cast members who are either ornery, have ulterior motives, dangerous, or unfitto be in a marriage to someone. Over the years, cast members like Chris Williams, Ryan Denino, Katie Conrad, and Domynique Kloss, have slipped through the casting process and made it on the show despite being obviously not ready to be in a marriage due to their personal issues.
If theMarried at First Sightfranchise wanted to produce solid, well-intentioned brides and grooms, then the cast selection would be of a higher caliber from season to season. The lack of motivation and ability of the experts, backed by the producers, to cast well-rounded and emotionally intelligent and available people is seriously lacking.
This denotes that the show is choosing people based on the reality TV idea that higher drama and more issues will yield a better reception, and that’s off-base completely for whatMAFSis supposed to be about and once was about.
MAFS Has Gone Too Far From Its Intention
MAFS Is Not About Creating Lasting Marriages Anymore
The show has moved past its original premise of matching people who would be good together long term. The franchise seems to be headed in a direction wherechoosing quality people for the show is not a priority.The season 18 cast will be involved in a cheating scandal and a couples swap, which are two negative situations that are far from what the show was ever meant to display. These two negative incidents speak to the low value of the cast in the upcoming season.
It’s apparent that theMAFSexperts have failed miserably in the past and are going to continue to do so. They aren’t concerned anymore by adhering to each person’s non-negotiable regarding their partner, and seem to be matching people based on who is reality TV worthy, which is not how the show started.
The casting choices and couple pairings are not about who is right for each other anymore but who could come together to create drama.
MAFS Is Moving Toward Manufacturing Drama
Which Makes MAFS Less Authentic
Married at First Sightseason 18 (via@mafsfan) is just another season that is proving that the show is heading in a direction that cares more about high drama situations and struggling connections. By mismatching people and choosing inappropriate people for the show, the cast are put in harms way. Because of that, there is more potential for OMG moments and inflammatory situations, butMarried at First Sightdid not used to care about that.Showing viewers that the experiment works was the original intention.
TheMarried at First Sightfranchise seems to be manufacturing drama now, and it’s not a good look. Fans online have expressed their disdain for the poor success rate and for how farthe show has drifted from being able to showcase quality marriagesbetween two people who are supposed to be right for each other. Season 18 has yet to drop, and it will likely be a months-long affair, so viewers will have to reserve judgment about whether the show is completely steered away from what it set out to do.
Married At First Sightseason 18 premieres Tuesday, October 15, at 8 p.m. EDT on Lifetime.
Married At First Sight
Cast
Based on the Danish version of the series, Married at First Sight is a reality show/social experiment that gives singles a chance to find a lifelong partnership with one particular caveat: they must agree to marry a stranger arranged the moment they meet. Experts provide counseling and guidance as they help couples navigate their new marriage with their unknown partner and highlight the journey of the newlyweds from wedding to honeymoon to beginning their new lives together. At the end of eight weeks, couples will decide to stay married or divorce.
