‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Season 5 Trailer Dives Into Taylor Frankie Paul Scandal and Reveals Release Date
Hulu has confirmed that "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" will return for a fifth season on 10 September, with a new trailer offering the first on-screen glimpse of how cast member Taylor Frankie Paul has been coping since ABC pulled her from "The Bachelorette" in March. The decision followed a leaked video, published by TMZ, showing a domestic altercation between Paul and her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen in which she threw metal chairs at him while one of her children was nearby. The renewal matters both as a ratings draw for Hulu and as a rare public update on Paul, who has remained largely out of the spotlight amid ongoing legal disputes.
Season 5 will run for just five episodes, half the length of previous seasons, and was filmed before the "Bachelorette" fallout, with production paused as Utah police investigated mutual domestic violence allegations between Paul and Mortensen; she was ultimately not charged. The trailer shows tension among the "MomTok" cast, including Mayci Neeley, Miranda Hope, Mikayla Matthews, Jessi Draper and Layla Taylor, alongside a tense FaceTime exchange between Paul and Mortensen, whose tattoo of her initials she later cited in a restraining order against him. The show has been renewed for 20 further episodes covering future seasons, though Paul's involvement beyond Season 5 remains unconfirmed, while Whitney Leavitt is departing after this run and Jen Affleck moves to a new spin-off, "Orange County."
- Hulu sets 10 September premiere for "Mormon Wives" Season 5 trailer
- Season 5 shortened to five episodes, filmed before Bachelorette scandal broke
- Taylor Frankie Paul faces ongoing custody battles despite avoiding DV charges
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The series follows a group of Utah women connected through “MomTok”, a community of mothers who make social media videos. Taylor Frankie Paul became widely known through the group and has also appeared on other reality shows. Hulu airs the series, which features the cast’s relationships and personal lives.
Paul’s former partner, Dakota Mortensen, is central to the reported events around her departure from The Bachelorette. A leaked video showed Paul throwing chairs during an altercation while one of her children was nearby; police investigated mutual domestic violence allegations, and Paul was not charged. Their disputes have also involved legal proceedings, including a restraining order Paul sought against Mortensen.
The show is part of Hulu’s unscripted television line-up, and its cast members have pursued projects beyond the series. Paul’s future role is unclear, while other cast changes include Whitney Leavitt leaving after this season and Jen Affleck moving to a spin-off.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The principle of presumption of innocence and due process matters even for public figures; she was not charged after police investigation. Society benefits when people receive second chances rather than permanent erasure based on unresolved allegations. Transparently documenting what occurred allows viewers to form informed judgments whilst supporting an individual's path forward, reflecting mature values about redemption and recovery.
The case against
Domestic violence allegations, particularly when a child was present, warrant serious professional consequences. Networks have a responsibility to consider the message sent by quickly returning someone to prominence after such incidents, as doing so risks trivialising violence and prioritising entertainment value over accountability. Those involved in altercations should face genuine lasting consequences rather than rapid reintegration into platforms that amplify their reach.
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