Following production delays, a casting crisis, and the “accidental” pairing up of two exes, things seem to be getting even worse for the upcoming Married At First Sight season 12. The Channel 9 reality show is currently three weeks into production, with the cast filming their wedding, honeymoon, and first dinner party.
But after the cast attended their first-ever dinner party last week, Yahoo Lifestyle revealed that executives are actively searching for new participants to replace the original pairings.
On August 8, one week after the first 10 weddings had been filmed and the couples had returned to Sydney from their mini-honeymoons, the show's casting producer, Ed Cook, took to Instagram to ask his followers to share a link to the casting application. The post said that they were specifically looking for men to appear on the next season.
“Send this to your single friends for a chance to be on MAFS 2025,” he wrote.
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When asked why they're still casting for a show that's already so far into filming, a production source told Yahoo Lifestyle that they need “more unique and talented talent” as “some of the current cast members just aren't up to the task of performing in front of the camera.”
The source also claimed that producers expect “too many couples to leave early” and will need “back-ups who are always available.”
Every year, the show introduces an “invader couple” four weeks into the experiment, but these matches are usually confirmed months in advance. The desperate search for a new groom suggests the current selection of contestants is not “strong enough” to achieve the ratings Channel 9 expects for MAFS.
Producers are taking things to a new level this year to make sure the contestants don't break the rules after they moved into their apartments last week. Photo: Provided/The Matrix
Difficult shooting conditions
Meanwhile, Yahoo Lifestyle can also reveal that producers are taking even more drastic measures this year to make sure contestants, who took up residence at the One Global Resorts Apartments (formerly Sky Suites) in Green Square last week, don't sneak out, speak to the media or break the rules.
A producer was seen sitting on a balcony monitoring the contestants via walkie-talkie as they went outside to get food or walked to a nearby supermarket.
Photos obtained by Yahoo Lifestyle also show bride-to-be Jamie Marinos yelling out to a producer and pointing out co-star Jacqueline Barfoot and her partner Ryan as they leave the building, before the producer appears to radio the rest of the team to make sure they're allowed to leave.
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“At this stage of filming, producers instill a sense of fear in the participants to make sure they don't get out of control,” a source told Yahoo Lifestyle. “All cast members have to 'check out' if they want to leave the apartment and there is a curfew, but half of them ignore this rule and some take it so seriously they are known as 'producers' pets.'”
“This year's measures may seem extreme, but producers cannot risk mixing casts when the cameras can't capture all the interactions and drama.”
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