“Married at First Sight UK” has been canceled after 10 seasons following allegations that two women were raped by their husbands during production.
The reality TV series won’t be returning after the two women — and a third, who accused her husband of sexual misconduct — came forward earlier this year, Channel 4 announced Thursday.
One of the women also alleged her husband threatened to throw acid at her.
Priya Dogra, CEO of Channel 4, addressed the allegations in a statement, extending her apologies to the victims following an external review.
“I am very sorry for the distress those women have clearly felt,” she wrote. “I hope our actions — in swiftly commissioning the review and taking clear, decisive steps — demonstrate our commitment to the wellbeing of all contributors and our desire to relentlessly strengthen industry standards.”
Additionally, the external review wasn’t to determine whether the allegations against the men were true, per Dogra.
“It did not have the authority to adjudicate on the very serious allegations made by three women,” she said.
Dogra stated that while there were “no findings” that the format of the reality show was “inherently unsafe,” she believed the series had “now run its course over 10 years.”
“Channel 4 has always thrived on reinvention,” she continued. “And this is a moment to kickstart a new era of creative renewal.”
The men accused have denied the allegations against them, with one being arrested in June on suspicion of rape, per the BBC.
BBC was the first to report on the allegations after the women came forward in May, telling the outlet that the network didn’t have enough protection measures.
“Married at First Sight UK” first aired in July 2015 for Season 1.
The series followed singles who blindly agree to marry strangers after being matched by relationship experts.
While the marriages on the UK show aren’t legally binding, the couples travel together on their honeymoon, with cameras picking up their day-by-day lives.
The show was launched after the release of the US version of the dating series the year prior. First launching on FYI in 2014, the American version then moved to Lifetime in 2017 and Peacock in 2025.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
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