Execs Reportedly Unsure of 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Future Amid Taylor Frankie Paul Controversy

Cast members are said to be unwilling to film with Taylor Frankie Paul, leading to uncertainty about the show's continuation.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 4:45pm

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The reality show "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" is currently on a production pause amid an open "domestic assault investigation" between cast member Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex-partner Dakota Mortensen. This comes after Taylor's season of "The Bachelorette" was fully canceled following the release of a video showing a 2023 domestic incident between her and Dakota. Executives are reportedly unsure of how to move forward, with the cast unwilling to film with Taylor and the network not wanting the "stain on their legacy." Meanwhile, a spin-off series set in Orange County and starring Jen Affleck is said to be in production on Hulu.

Why it matters

The controversy surrounding Taylor Frankie Paul and the uncertainty around the future of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" highlights the challenges reality TV shows can face when cast members become embroiled in personal scandals. The network's dilemma of whether to remove Taylor or offer the cast significant raises to continue filming speaks to the difficult decisions producers must make to balance talent, viewer interest, and public perception.

The details

According to reports, the executives overseeing "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" are unsure of how to proceed with the show. The cast members have reportedly banded together and stated they do not want to film with Taylor Frankie Paul, who is the subject of a domestic assault investigation. The network is said to be considering two options: either remove Taylor from the show permanently or offer the cast significant pay raises to convince them to continue filming. However, the network's new management is reportedly leaning towards scrapping the show altogether, as they do not want the controversy to tarnish their legacy, and the show's ratings were already declining.

  • In March 2023, a video was released by TMZ showing a domestic incident between Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex-partner Dakota Mortensen.
  • In March 2026, "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" is currently on a production pause amid the open domestic assault investigation between Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen.

The players

Taylor Frankie Paul

A cast member of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" who is the subject of a domestic assault investigation and whose season of "The Bachelorette" was canceled.

Dakota Mortensen

Taylor Frankie Paul's ex-partner, who is involved in the domestic assault investigation with her.

Jen Affleck

A cast member who is reportedly starring in a spin-off of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" set in Orange County, which is in production on Hulu.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Taylor Frankie Paul out on bail.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges reality TV shows face when cast members become embroiled in personal scandals, as networks must balance talent, viewer interest, and public perception when deciding how to move forward. The potential cancellation of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" also speaks to the fragility of the reality TV industry, where even long-running shows can be derailed by controversies surrounding their cast.