'Married at First Season' Fans Are More Than Ready To See New Couples in Season 18

Even before Lifetime announced a premiere date for the forthcoming Married at First Sight Season 18, producers apparently began looking for participants for yet another season of the reality show. And with the end of Season 17 comes the fan questions about when Season 18 premieres, who is in the cast, and where it takes place.

Each season of MAFS is filmed in a different big city in the United States. Sometimes, producers return to cities that were previously featured in the franchise. But for the most part, a new season offers a new location and a brand new set of singles who the experts work hard to match together. Read on for everything we know about MAFS Season 18.

The Married at First Sight franchise is heading back to Chicago for Season 18, after previously setting up shop in the Windy City for Season 5.

According to the Instagram account for Kinetic Content, the production company behind MAFS, casting began in March 2023. And even if viewers had hoped to see a new city for the season, it doesn't mean the experiment is any different this time around.

As for the application itself, the casting agents’ questionnaire asks for your contact information, biographical details, social media handles, and dating preferences. You also have to upload a headshot, a full-body photo, and a 15-second video introducing yourself.

Then the questions start getting personal: What was your childhood like? What does family mean to you? Why do you think you’re ready for marriage?

A disclaimer on the questionnaire also offers a warning about the reality TV experience — applicants beware! “Some participants may feel self-conscious or find it odd to see themselves on TV,” the disclaimer says. “It can be difficult to be reminded of deeply personal and emotional life events, and see them replayed in public."

According to the disclaimer, participants in the MAFS experiment should also be aware that they might "be the subject of negative opinions from other participants or the public, or may be unhappy with the way they feel they have been portrayed.” It's a lot for some participants to handle, for many, it's worth it.

Unlike some networks and streaming platforms, the date for when each season of MAFS premieres is pretty consistent. For the most part, anyway. As long as the 18th season remains on the same path as the seasons that came before it, fans can expect the premiere around July 2024.

Watch Married at First Sight on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EST on Lifetime.