Production of the fifth season of the reality television series ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ (SLOMW) has taken an unexpected turn. Initially slated to comprise ten episodes, the season has been cut short to only five, primarily due to ongoing domestic assault investigations involving one of its stars, Taylor Frankie Paul.
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Filming for the series paused in March 2026 following the announcement of these investigations concerning Paul and her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen. Although prosecutors later opted not to pursue charges against Paul, the controversy led to significant repercussions, including the cancellation of her season of ‘The Bachelorette,’ which was yet to be aired. Production did pick up again two months later; however, it was restricted to filming confessionals only, signalling a significant departure from the standard format.
Season 5 of SLOMW eventually premiered on 10 September 2026. Nevertheless, cast members and producers alike acknowledged that the season would be notably darker due to the preceding events. Layla Taylor, a cast member, commented during an August 2026 appearance on the ‘Get Real’ podcast, highlighting the challenges that had befallen members of the show’s community, particularly those known as ‘MomTok.’
Prior to the production hiatus, the show was renewed by Hulu in November 2025 for an additional 20 episodes, intended to be evenly distributed across the fourth and fifth seasons. Executive producer Jeff Jenkins had outlined plans to film in segments of ten episodes back-to-back, provided that the series maintained its viewership momentum. However, the unfortunate developments altered these original plans.
Sources indicate that the production team promptly halted filming when the legal issues surrounding Paul emerged. Insiders revealed that the cast agreed collectively to pause filming out of concern for the implications of ongoing investigations. Mikayla Matthews, another cast member, shared on her Instagram stories that the decision was mutually understood among the girls, illustrating a united front amidst the distressing circumstances.
Details from a recorded Zoom meeting, wherein ABC executives and cast members discussed the investigation, prompted broader discussions about safety and wellbeing on set. One participant expressed concern over navigating the situation since Paul was not only facing legal challenges but was also regarded as a friend by the other cast members.
Filming resumed in May 2026, but an insider explained that the resumed production was limited strictly to confessionals, signifying a deliberate choice not to resume the traditional filming format for the remainder of Season 5. This brought about the disappointing news that only five episodes were set to be released, as confirmed by various sources including cast member Conner Leavitt during a June 2026 podcast appearance.
While there have been conflicting reports regarding Paul’s involvement, it was indicated that neither she nor Mortensen would be contributing to any additional scenes beyond those already recorded prior to the pause. Consequently, the fifth season will primarily consist of the footage captured before the investigations interrupted production.
Despite the unresolved issues surrounding Season 5, the show’s creators have already turned their attention towards developing Season 6, suggesting that they plan to navigate the series forward in a new direction. As discussions continue, viewers await the release of these five episodes, which, despite their reduced length, promise to delve into the ramifications of this tumultuous period.
In light of the serious matters at hand, support resources for those impacted by domestic violence have also been highlighted. The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers confidential assistance, emphasising the importance of providing help during these distressing times for those in need.