ABC has officially renewed The Bachelor for its 29th season, ending months of speculation about the dating competition’s future at the network.
The long-running reality series will return with a significant behind-the-scenes change as Claire Freeland steps in as the new showrunner. Freeland replaces Bennett Graebner, who had been overseeing the franchise.
This renewal comes later than usual in the programming cycle, raising questions among fans about the show’s status. The Bachelor has been a cornerstone of ABC’s reality lineup since its debut in 2002.
Freeland brings considerable experience to the role, having previously worked on several unscripted projects. She’ll guide the franchise as it continues to evolve following recent efforts to address diversity and representation concerns.
The network has not yet announced a premiere date for the upcoming season, nor have they revealed who will be the next Bachelor.
Season 28 concluded in March with Joey Graziadei’s journey ending in an engagement to Kelsey Anderson. The finale delivered solid ratings for ABC, reinforcing the show’s continued appeal despite increasing competition in the reality dating space.
The Bachelor franchise has expanded significantly over its two-decade run, spawning spinoffs including The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise, and the short-lived The Golden Bachelor.
Casting for the new season is expected to begin in the coming months, with production likely starting later this year.
