Nearly five years after his controversial exit as host of The Bachelor, Chris Harrison is returning to the reality show.
Fox Nation has greenlit a new dating series for people seeking a “traditional marriage” with Harrison as host, with the show set to premiere in 2027. Before Fox Nation’s involvement became known, Harrison posted a casting call for the project on Instagram, saying the show is “looking for single men and women over the age of 21 who want a traditional, marriage-minded partnership based on commitment and shared values. We’re looking for singles who believe in defined roles, long-term commitment, and building a life together.” — and someone you’re seriously dating.
The series’ official logline reads, “Several women embark on a romantic journey designed for individuals seeking lasting commitment. Blending romance, real-world compatibility tests, and emotionally charged eliminations, this series reimagines modern dating through the lens of shared values, authenticity, and marital goals.”
Harrison isn’t the only “Bachelor” alum currently working on an untitled series. Other previous “Bachelor” producers include Luis Callis as executive producer, Elan Gale as consulting producer, Lynday Lyles as casting director and Michael Shea as director. Executive producers include Harrison’s wife, Lauren Zima, as well as Lionsgate Alternative Television executives Nicholas Caprio and Tom Huffman.
Harrison hosted “The Bachelor” and all of its spinoffs starting in 2002, when the iconic reality dating series premiered. In 2021, he left the series after making racially insensitive comments while defending former contestant Rachel Kirkconnell. Kirkconnell faced backlash online after a photo of her attending an antebellum plantation-themed party as a college student surfaced online. Variety reported at the time that after the controversy erupted and Harrison took a hiatus from hosting, Harrison’s team was “furious about the drawn-out process surrounding his return and frustrated that the network and studio did not publicly support him.”
