MAFS 2026: Relationship Expert John Aiken Warns Season 13 Brides...

Married At First Sight expert John Aiken has teased that the upcoming 2026 season could be one of the most dramatic chapters in the show’s history.

Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail, John, 55, revealed that filming is already producing explosive moments. He also hinted at a cast of confident, outspoken brides who will hold their fellow participants to account and are not afraid to challenge the status quo.

‘I would say what we’ve got is a cast full of very powerful, opinionated, outspoken women who are really going to hold everyone in the experiment to account,’ he said.

‘Particularly the women – you’re going to need to look out for them this year, and not just how they are with their partners, but particularly how they work in the sisterhood.’

The veteran relationship expert, who has been part of the hit social experiment since its first season, said this year’s participants bring a noticeably fresh energy to the series.

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Married At First Sight expert John Aiken, 55, believes the upcoming 2026 season could be one of the most dramatic in the show’s history

John said filming is already delivering explosive scenes, with a cast of outspoken brides who will hold their fellow participants to account

Aiken said producers have brought together a varied cast that includes a cricket-loving sports presenter, two grooms from diverse cultural backgrounds and several participants whose approach to dating carries what he described as a ‘heavy TikTok flavour’.

‘That’s what we try and do every year, we evolve the show. We don’t try and completely break it and bring it back to zero. We just give the audience something that’s a little bit different from the season before.’

Although MAFS continues to attract huge ratings each year, the reality series has never taken home a TV WEEK Logie Award—something Aiken is not particularly concerned about.

‘We don’t do it to get a Logie. We do it because it’s fun, it’s exciting, and a lot of people watch it,’ he said.

‘At the end of the day, we’re very happy with the numbers we get every year—that’s the real prize.’

He suggested the show’s lack of Logies recognition may be linked to the way viewers vote.

‘It all comes down to who’s prepared to vote. Often the shows that win have the people that are prepared to get online and vote. With MAFS, while we have a lot of people watching and committed to it, they don’t vote,’ he said.

Several MAFS participants have also missed out on invitations to the Logies over the years, a source of disappointment for some. However, Aiken said the guest list is beyond his control.

‘We’ve got a cast full of very powerful, opinionated, outspoken women who are really going to hold everyone in the experiment to account,’ Aiken said

The longtime relationship expert said this year’s Married At First Sight cast has a fresh energy

‘It’s a privilege to be invited, but it’s completely out of my hands and out of the hands of the talent. Every year there’s a possibility people will miss out,’ he said.

Even if MAFS did win a Logie, Aiken joked that handing the acceptance speech to a bride or groom might be a risky decision.

‘You’d have no idea what they’re going to say,’ he laughed. ‘That’s the thing about the MAFS cast—they’re very brave and put themselves out there, but you never know what they’ll do once filming wraps.’

For all the conflict and controversy, Aiken remains proud of the show’s ability to create genuine relationships.

‘The real pleasure is that Rhi and Jeff are still together and going strong. It just shows that this experiment can work and people do get the fairytale,’ he said.

Viewers can also expect Aiken to maintain his trademark direct approach when he returns to the dinner parties this season.

‘My role’s very clear now—I call out bad behaviour and hold people to account. I’ve become more direct and blunt with my feedback because the behaviour is becoming more extreme,’ he said.

Aiken said producers have assembled a diverse group of participants. Pictured: Ankita Karungalekar

‘We don’t do it to get a Logie—we do it because it’s fun, it’s exciting and a lot of people watch it,’ Aiken said of the show’s lack of Logies recognition

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His message to the new MAFS participants is straightforward: remain open-minded.

‘Come in with an open mind rather than a long list of deal breakers. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

‘You’ve got to give it the full 10 weeks, because people do fall in love – sometimes when they least expect it.’

Production is already underway in Sydney, and Aiken believes viewers will be captivated when the explosive thirteenth season premieres next year.

‘It’s going to be big, it’s going to be unpredictable- and you never know what they’re going to say,’ he said.

Married At First Sight returns to Channel Nine in 2026.