Filming for the new season of Married At First Sight is set to commence in the next few weeks.
And Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal the upcoming season has already been rocked by an unprecedented level of drama.
Executive producer Mollie Harwood has quit after three years at EndemolShine Australia (ESA), the company behind the ratings hit show, just weeks before pre-production was set to kick off.
Mollie, who joined the show in 2022 as a co-executive producer and was later promoted to EP for season 11, has left a significant void in the team.
Daily Mail Australia understands that Mollie made the decision to leave the show at the start of the year to have more time with her family, but only went public with the news recently.
Her departure comes as a shock to the production crew, especially after Alex Spurway announced she will be sole EP for the upcoming series earlier this month.
Tara McWilliams, the powerhouse credited with transforming MAFS into the ratings juggernaut it is today, will continue to serve as the director of content at ESA.
'The DNA of the show remains the same,' Tara previously told Daily Mail Australia.
'I don't really think it matters who's at the helm of the show.'
Filming for the new season of Married At First Sight is set to commence in the next few weeks.Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal that the upcoming season has already been rocked by unprecedented level of drama
'I'll still be across it on a kind of more bigger picture, overarching not necessarily the minutiae of the day-to-day. But you'll see I'll certainly be very much a part of it too.'
She added, 'As John [Walsh] is involved, the DNA of the show is there. We're not going to reinvent it. It's the cast and the storylines that keep it fresh year after year.
'We just keep doing what we've been doing for the last few years. I've worked with [Spurway] for many years now, and I have nothing but the utmost confidence in [her] to continue keeping the train on track and continue making great TV.'
Executive producer Mollie Harwood (pictured) has QUIT after three years at EndemolShine Australia, the company behind the ratings hit show, just weeks before pre-production was set to kick off
Her departure comes as a shock to the production crew, especially after Alex Spurway (pictured) confirmed her return as EP for the upcoming series earlier this month
Tara McWilliams, the powerhouse credited with transforming MAFS into the ratings juggernaut it is today, will continue to serve as the director of content at ESA
According to an insider, producers are hoping that the new cast will once again bring unparalleled drama.
As anticipation mounts for Season 12, fans can brace themselves for another heart-pounding, highly addictive love quest.
The upcoming season is poised to redefine the boundaries of love, drama, and entertainment.
According to an insider, producers are hoping that the new cast will be filled with unparalleled drama and romance. Pictured expert John Aiken
The upcoming season is poised to redefine the boundaries of love, drama, and entertainment
'MAFS will continue to capture the nation's attention, making it a cultural phenomenon unlike any other,' a source teased
An insider connected to the show let slip that the series will feature the most outrageous cast to date.
'MAFS will continue to capture the nation's attention, making it a cultural phenomenon unlike any other,' the source teased.
The updated application form also requires applicants to describe 'in detail' any cosmetic procedures they have previously undergone and whether they would be interested in a relationship with the same sex.
Among the new cast members, expect a glamorous blonde who will give Lauren Dunn a run for her money, and another tattooed alpha type who is tipped to be the season's villain.
Casting agents spent almost six months interviewing hopefuls, and the final cast was decided just last month.
Casting agents spent almost six months interviewing hopefuls, and the final cast was decided just last month
However, fans hoping for a 'mature' couple will be disappointed, as producers have set the age limit at 50 this year.
This decision is likely to stir debate among the show's dedicated audience, who have long called for more age diversity in the cast.
With filming about to begin, the pressure is on for the production team to deliver another blockbuster season despite the recent upheaval.
Do you have a tip about MAFS 2025? Email ali.daher@mailonline.com
