ABC and parent company Disney announced on March 19, 2026, that they will not move forward with Season 22 of The Bachelorette starring Taylor Frankie Paul after a newly published video and an open domestic-violence investigation surfaced. The decision removes Paul from one of television’s highest-profile dating franchises days before the season was due to premiere.

What happened

A video published by TMZ showing a 2023 physical altercation between Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex, Dakota Mortensen, prompted Disney to cancel the season. In a statement shared with outlets, Disney said, “In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family.”

Details from the video and legal background

The clip shows Paul and Mortensen in a confrontation in which chairs are thrown while a young child is present; Mortensen appears to claim something struck the child. The incident in question dates to 2023. Paul was arrested that year on multiple counts, including aggravated assault and domestic violence in the presence of a child, and in August 2023 she pleaded guilty to aggravated assault as part of a plea agreement. Other charges were reportedly dismissed with prejudice.

Other productions paused

Production on Season 5 of Paul’s Hulu series, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, was also halted amid the investigation. TMZ first reported the pause, and the Draper City Police Department confirmed to People that an active “domestic assault investigation” involves both Paul and Mortensen, with allegations described as made “in both directions.”

Reactions from Taylor, Mortensen’s team and insiders

At The Bachelorette’s premiere on March 17, Paul told People her “heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time,” and said she hoped to explain the “whole background” at another time, adding there is “more to the story.”

A representative for Dakota Mortensen said his “number one priority here is protecting Ever,” referring to the couple’s son. Industry reporting also captured conflicting responses: one source told People some co-stars didn’t want to be associated with Paul, while another outlet cited an E! News source saying relations with co-stars are currently “great.”

An insider quoted by The U.S. Sun told reporters executives were “furious with Taylor,” and that shelving a season after production and promotion is rare because of the high costs involved — though Disney judged the reputational and family-support considerations outweighed that expense.

Why this matters now

The cancellation removes a flagship season from ABC’s spring schedule and raises questions about when — or if — unaired episodes will be released. For viewers, it abruptly ends the season’s story arc; for producers and the franchise, it sets an unusual precedent about accountability and the cost of pulling major programming at short notice.

What to expect next

  • Networks and streaming partners will likely wait for the police investigation and any legal follow-ups before deciding whether footage can be used or if episodes will ever air.
  • Production on related projects, including The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 5, remains on hold pending further information.
  • Public statements from both parties and their representatives may continue as outlets seek details about the incident and its aftermath.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.