The upcoming season of Married at First Sight will look a lot different to fans as longtime show experts Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Pastor Cal Roberson and Dr. Pia Holec have announced that they will not be returning for Season 20.
As viewers know, sociologist Dr. Pepper has been with ‘MAFS’ since the show premiered in 2014; marriage counselor Pastor Cal joined the show in Season 4; and Dr. Pia, an intimacy and relationship specialist, has been with ‘MAFS’ since Season 15 in 2022.
This week, each of the experts released a statement confirming their exit from the series, with Dr. Pepper calling her experience on ‘MAFS’ “one of the most meaningful chapters of my professional life.”
In addition to thanking the show’s production team, Dr. Pepper thanked her fellow experts, the show’s “remarkable crew” and the singles and couples who appeared on the show’s first 19 seasons.
“As I step away, I do so with immense pride in what this franchise has accomplished and deep confidence in its future,” she told Variety in a statement. “I leave this post with gratitude and optimism, knowing that the foundation we’ve built will continue to evolve and inspire. I’m excited to move on to new projects, carrying with me the lessons, relationships and memories from this incredible experience.”
Like Dr. Pepper, Pastor Cal also called his multi-year stint on ‘MAFS’ a “great honor,” before going on to thank Kinetic, the ‘MAFS’ crew and everyone who signed up to appear on the show for allowing him into “some of the most sacred moments” of their lives.
“ … I never took that lightly,” he continued. “Your courage, honesty, and willingness to believe in the process reminded me time and again why this work matters. Thank you for trusting us with your love stories.”
Pastor Cal went on to state that he’s stepping away from the show “with a full heart; grateful for the journey, proud of what we built together, and hopeful for what lies ahead for this franchise.”
“I am passing the torch with love and faith, believing the work will continue to touch lives in powerful ways,” he added. “This is not goodbye; it’s a new chapter. I’m elated about the doors God is already opening, and forever thankful for the seasons we shared.”
While Dr. Pia began her statement with similar sentiments as Dr. Pepper and Pastor Cal, she was the only one of the experts to share details about her post-‘MAFS’ plans.
“I’m prioritizing time with my family while focusing on my clinical work and educational projects centered on mental health, interpersonal relationships, and intimacy,” she revealed.
It is unknown if Dr. Pepper, Pastor Cal and Dr. Pia chose to leave the show before Season 20 or if it was the network’s decision to let them go.
While replacements for the experts have yet to be announced, Kinetic Content, the production company behind ‘MAFS,’ is reportedly preparing for the “brand new chapter” that lies ahead.
“We’re thrilled to be embarking on a brand new chapter of the ‘MAFS’ journey with our partners at Peacock,” Kinetic founder and CEO Chris Coelen told Variety of the three experts’ exit. “Dr. Pepper has been with us from the beginning and Pastor Cal joined us shortly thereafter; their unwavering wisdom, insight, and passion has been a guiding light for us throughout the seasons.”
‘MAFS’ moved from Lifetime to Peacock last season, where Variety reports that it will remain for the upcoming 20th season.
(Photos: Peacock; Lifetime; Instagram)
One Response
Hopefully this means better vetting of participants. They’ve had some inexcusable trash on this show and people that were victimized as a result.