Filming for the thirteenth season of Married At First Sight is just weeks away, but production insiders claim the upcoming series is already in chaos behind the scenes.
Despite casting calls opening months ago, producers at EndemolShine Australia are still struggling to lock in key participants, with multiple insiders revealing that several major roles remain unfilled.
'They're still scrambling for both brides and grooms,' a well-placed source told Daily Mail Australia.
'Honestly, they're desperate. There's a real sense of panic among the producers who know they have to deliver a standout cast to keep viewers hooked after this year's season was so controversial.'
It's understood several strong candidates have backed out at the eleventh hour, while others have failed the network's increasingly strict vetting process.
'Channel Nine isn't messing around when it comes to background checks this year,' one source said.
'They don't want anyone with a criminal record - not even someone who's faced court and been found not guilty. It's about protecting the brand at all costs.'
Despite the rigorous screening process, insiders say the network still expects the cast to deliver fireworks.
'They're not playing it safe,' the source added.
'They still want drama, chaos, headlines - they just don't want to give critics any more ammunition.'
In a sign of just how dire the situation is, the official MAFS Instagram account shared another casting call just last week.
'Looking for love or know someone who is? DMs are OPEN,' the post read, prompting speculation that producers are still struggling to match remaining participants.
Each year, the pressure mounts to deliver a more diverse and authentic line-up - but ultimately, it's still the 'divisive, problematic and hot' contestants that drive ratings.
'They're still scrambling for both brides and grooms,' a well-placed source told Daily Mail Australia
'Honestly, they're desperate. There's a real sense of panic among the producers who know they have to deliver a standout cast to keep viewers hooked after this year's season was so controversial' the insider said
Season 2025 bride Rhi Disljenkovic (pictured) said: 'Be yourself from the get-go. Don't be afraid to be your most authentic self. Back yourself and speak up when you need to'
EndemolShine Australia put out a fresh casting call encouraging singles to apply, which strongly suggests some brides and grooms haven't found matches yet
Meanwhile, former cast members are dishing out advice for the next batch of hopefuls, urging them to stay grounded, wary - and ready for anything.
Season 2025 bride Rhi Disljenkovic said: 'Be yourself from the get-go. Don't be afraid to be your most authentic self. Back yourself and speak up when you need to.'
Her partner Jeff Gobbels echoed that sentiment, advising: 'You can't pretend to be someone you're not. Just be yourself - that's why you got cast in the first place.'
But not everyone had such a rosy outlook.
Season 11's Jack Dunkley, who had a polarising run on the show, warned future participants to be cautious.
'Don't trust anyone easily,' he said. 'Your partner is your only real teammate. Align with them however you can - even if there's no romantic connection.'
Jack added that producers can spin a contestant's behaviour any way they choose: 'Be prepared for the worst... they can do magic with how you're portrayed.'
Timothy Smith, who was paired with Lucinda Light in the 2023 season, insisted the show's editing was surprisingly fair: 'Who you were on TV is who you are in real life. If you're a good person, it'll show. If you're not, it'll show too.'
Carina Mirabile gave a more wellness-focused suggestion, encouraging future cast to bring natural sleep aids and work on their mental resilience.
Timothy also urged future stars to speak up during filming.
'If you think it, say it. If you feel it, do it. Don't sit on the fence - you'll only regret it later.'
Al Perkins, who rose to fame across multiple reality shows, warned about post-show media attention.
'There'll be so many outlets trying to reach out - it’s overwhelming. You won’t know who to trust at first.'
Carina Mirabile, meanwhile, gave a more wellness-focused suggestion, encouraging future cast to bring natural sleep aids and work on their mental resilience.
'Your brain won't stop ticking. It's a pressure-cooker environment,' she said. 'Focus on your mental health, work out, and ride the wave.'
Despite the chaos behind the scenes, Nine is determined to pull off another ratings juggernaut - but with casting still in flux and production looming, the stakes couldn't be higher.
'Until the cast is locked and the cameras roll, there's still time to turn things around,' one insider said.
'But at the moment, they're flying without a parachute - and hoping for a soft landing.'