‘The Bachelorette’ Is Skipping a Summer: No New Female Lead Following Grant Ellis’ ‘Bachelor’ Season

There won’t be a new season of “The Bachelorette” this summer, Variety has learned.

While ABC franchise typically airs “The Bachelor” each spring before selecting one of the contestants to lead a season of “The Bachelorette” in the summer, this year, ABC won’t follow that pattern. That means that if any of the women vying for Grant Ellis’ heart on the currently airing season of the flagship has a future as one of the franchise’s stars, she’ll have to wait until next year. While “The Bachelorette” isn’t canceled, the reason for its delay is currently unknown.

Aside from “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” the long-running reality dating franchise also includes “Bachelor in Paradise,” which will air its first new season in two years this summer, as well as “The Golden Bachelor” and “The Golden Bachelorette,” new spinoffs that center singles who are older in age. “The Golden Bachelor” premiered in 2023 and starred Gerry Turner, while “The Golden Bachelorette” was led by Joan Vassos, who was a contestant on Turner’s season. Renewals and new leads for the “Golden” spinoffs have yet to be announced.

Ellis was announced as “The Bachelor” lead after being sent home by Jenn Tran, the star of “The Bachelorette” Season 2028. His season premiered on Jan. 27.

“The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” are produced by Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Warner Horizon. Bennett Graebner, Claire Freeland, Jason Ehrlich, Tim Warner and Peter Gust serve as executive producers.

Deadline was first to report the news.