The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Scandals, Divorces & Production Pause

Is The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives canceled? The future of the Hulu reality series is currently in question as production for season five has been paused amid an ongoing investigation involving star Taylor Frankie Paul. The drama extends beyond this single case, however, with multiple cast members navigating personal upheaval and questions swirling about the viability of the “MomTok” community at large.

The production halt, first reported on March 16th, stems from a Draper City, Utah police investigation into a domestic-violence incident involving Paul and her on-again, off-again partner, Dakota Mortensen, which allegedly took place in late February. NBC News confirmed the investigation through three sources close to the matter, though details remain scarce. The West Jordan Police Department confirmed receiving a domestic violence allegation via phone call, but declined to provide specifics. Representatives for both Paul and Mortensen have not commented publicly.

Beyond the Investigation: A Cascade of Personal Changes

The situation with Paul and Mortensen isn’t occurring in a vacuum. As Vulture details, the show is grappling with a series of significant life changes for its cast members. Two divorces are reportedly impending, adding to the existing fallout within the “MomTok” group. Mikayla Matthews is relocating to Modern York City, and other cast members are navigating personal challenges, including health concerns. These interwoven personal dramas are contributing to the uncertainty surrounding the show’s future.

The timing of these events is particularly fraught, given Paul’s recent casting as the lead for ABC’s The Bachelorette. However, that opportunity has already evaporated. ABC swiftly scrapped Paul’s season following the emergence of a leaked video from a February 2023 domestic violence incident, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The network’s decision followed concerns raised by the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives cast directly to Disney executives, including Rob Mills, executive vp unscripted and alternative entertainment at Walt Disney Television, during a Zoom call on March 7th.

Cast Concerns and Production’s Response

The cast’s concerns, voiced during the March 7th meeting, centered on the show’s ability to continue filming whereas Paul was involved in an ongoing investigation. According to audio obtained by NBC News, the cast members expressed discomfort with proceeding under the circumstances. Mikayla Matthews publicly echoed these sentiments on her Instagram Stories on March 19th, stating, “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.”

Jessi Draper, another cast member, confirmed the production pause on the Call Her Daddy podcast, emphasizing the need to prioritize well-being. “I feel like all of us right now are just trying to like, ‘Okay, we’re human beings first, and let’s figure that out and then we’ll get back to filming the show,’” Draper said. “Clearly, there’s no shortage of drama in our lives. So if we get another season, it’s going to be good.”

What’s Confirmed, What’s Unclear

Currently, the confirmed facts are: production on season five of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is paused. Draper City police are investigating a domestic-violence allegation involving Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen; Paul’s season of The Bachelorette has been scrapped; and Jeff Jenkins Productions, the show’s production company, is conducting its own third-party investigation.

What remains unclear is the ultimate fate of the show. While People reports sources suggesting the show may not continue at all, either with or without Paul, Hulu has not issued an official statement regarding cancellation. The network ordered two seasons, totaling 20 episodes, last year, with season four premiering on March 12th. Whether Hulu will move forward with season five, or potentially seek a different direction for the series, remains to be seen.

The Future of ‘MomTok’ and a Potential Spin-Off

The situation raises questions about the future of the “MomTok” community that initially propelled the show to popularity. The group’s dynamics have been evolving since its inception, and the current challenges could further reshape its landscape.

Interestingly, a spin-off series, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County, is still in development. This new iteration is expected to feature eight new cast members alongside Jen Affleck, an original “MomToker.” Matthews’ move to California suggests a potential shift in focus for the franchise, though it remains to be seen how the Orange County series will be impacted by the ongoing drama in Utah.

For now, the future of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives hangs in the balance. The production pause, coupled with the personal challenges facing the cast, creates a complex situation with no simple answers. The next steps will likely depend on the outcome of the police investigation and Jeff Jenkins Productions’ internal review, as well as Hulu’s assessment of the show’s long-term viability.