**Production of ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Season 6 Underway Amid Cast Departures**
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Filming for the sixth season of the popular reality series, *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*, is currently in progress. However, the show is facing significant changes as several cast members have recently announced their departures.
The show was renewed for a sixth season back in August 2026. However, significant upheaval has occurred within the cast leading up to its release. In May, Whitney Leavitt publicly announced that the fifth season would be her last, coinciding with her successful run on *Dancing with the Stars* and a stint in Broadway’s *Chicago*. Leavitt’s departure from the series marks a pivotal shift, as she had become one of the more prominent and divisive figures since the show’s inception in September 2024.
In a somewhat theatrical announcement during her final performance as Roxie Hart, Leavitt informed the audience of her decision to leave, eliciting cheers from the crowd. Reflecting on her experience with the show, she expressed a desire to move on, stating, “It’s such a huge chapter in my life, but I felt like everybody knew that it was time for that chapter to end.” A mixture of fond reminiscence and regret coloured her farewell, as she concluded, “Regrets? Plenty. But I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Following Leavitt’s exit, Mikayla Matthews also confirmed her departure from the series on September 14, citing moral conflicts with the direction the show was taking. Matthews articulated her discomfort on Instagram, expressing that she could not support actions and behaviours that contradicted her values, especially in light of her childhood experiences with abuse. “Supporting an ADULT doesn’t mean constantly making excuses for toxic behaviour,” she declared, delineating her disinterest in perpetuating cycles of enabling.
Matthews had initially filmed portions of season six without the involvement of Taylor Frankie Paul, but her comfort dissolved with news of Paul’s return to the show. Following this revelation, Matthews opted to step back entirely, pledging to donate her earnings from the remaining episodes to the National Children’s Alliance, a notable charity supporting children and families affected by abuse. “There’s no amount of money worth changing my stance,” she remarked.
The series has been tumultuous for Paul as well, who has faced personal challenges amid ongoing domestic assault investigations involving her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen. Production for the fifth season was abruptly halted in March 2026, leaving viewers with only five episodes. The shortened season documented Paul’s complex romantic dealings after her time on *The Bachelorette*, including her tumultuous relationship with Mortensen.
On September 21, Paul made her intentions clear via social media, suggesting her exit from season six. Her announcement touched upon feelings of bullying from some of her co-stars and the weight of personal scrutiny she had been under. “I don’t desire to move forward like this,” she asserted, expressing relief at removing herself from the project. Amid her public struggles, Paul is also caught in two ongoing custody battles, further complicating her situation.
Other cast members, including Mayci Neeley and Layla Taylor, have also voiced uncertainty regarding their futures on the show. Jen Affleck’s status remains ambiguous as she gears up for her own spinoff series titled *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County*.
The drama surrounding the cast’s departures marks a significant shift in the dynamics of *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*. As the series continues to evolve, its ability to attract and retain viewers may hinge on how these changes affect the storylines going forward. The ongoing discussions among cast members, viewers, and stakeholders indicate that the reality show genre remains volatile, heavily influenced by the personal lives of its participants.
As production continues, fans of the series will be keenly watching to see how these developments unfold in the new season, set to explore the lives of these Mormon wives amid significant societal and personal upheaval.