Channel Nine’s Married at First Sight appears set to diversify by 2025.
A source close to the ratings giant has revealed that the show’s producers are “actively” pursuing applicants who identify as transgender.
And contestants are already being asked if they would be willing to be paired with gender-neutral partners as part of the experiment.
A source interviewed by Yahoo Lifestyle said MAFS Australia is committed to diversity after producers of the British version of the show cast Elle Morgan, who identifies as transgender.
Morgan participated in the experiment as a bride in 2023, which as a result spurred massive media attention, the source said.
Channel Nine’s Married at First Sight appears set to branch out in 2025. A source close to the ratings giant has revealed the show’s producers are “actively” seeking applicants who identify as transgender. In the photo: experts John Aiken, Mel Schilling and sexologist Alessandra Rampolla
Contestants are asked if they would be willing to be paired with gender-neutral partners as part of the experiment. Pictured: MAFS couple Michael Felix and Stephen Stewart.
“The producers are now under immense pressure to raise the level of our version and keep the format fresh,” the source said.
The casting process for the new season also asks applicants if they identify as non-binary and transgender.
Applicants have also been asked about their same-sex experiences and whether they have had any cosmetic surgery.
The source said producers are also pressing applicants about intimate details, including whether they would engage in the same sexual experiences during filming, regardless of their own gender identity.
MAFS Australia has featured three same-sex couples to date: Michael Felix and Stephen Stewart, Craig Roach and Andy John and Amanda Micallef and Tash Herz.
MAFS Australia has featured three same-sex couples to date: Michael Felix and Stephen Stewart, Craig Roach and Andy John (pictured) and Amanda Micallef and Tash Herz.
The experiment featured its first lesbian couple in 2020. Pictured: Amanda Micallef and Tash Herz.
Expert Mel Schilling previously confessed the experiment’s shortcomings in depicting LGBTQ+ relationships.
‘It was very important for us to find people who really wanted to find love. “We didn’t want to just match people up based on their sexual orientation,” he told Metro last year.
Schilling admitted the Australian series “got terribly wrong” in the early seasons, suggesting “big lessons” could be drawn from the experience.
In 2019, a Nine spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that they had not included a same-sex couple due to the limited number of applications from gay singles.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t feel there was a good match and we didn’t want to include a gay couple just for appearances,” they said.
A source interviewed by Yahoo Lifestyle said MAFS Australia is committed to diversity after producers of the 2023 British version of the show cast Elle Morgan, who identifies as transgender. Ellie is pictured with boyfriend Nathanial Valentino
While the program received a staggering 10,000 applications from straight singles, only about 20 came from gay singles.
The following year, the experiment featured the first lesbian couple: Amanda Micallef and Tash Herz got married.
In 2016, MAFS Australia welcomed its first gay couple, Craig Roach and Andy John, which did not go as planned.
This new season is expected to push the boundaries like never before and feature the most diverse cast yet, Daily Mail Australia can reveal.