Married at First Sight is an Australian reality television adaptation of the Danish series Gift ved første blik. The show features a group of strangers who participate in a social experiment and are paired together by experts. Due to the legal requirement to give one month's notice of marriage in Australia,See for example for NSW, Notice of Intended Marriage Application participants in this installment are not legally married, instead proceeding with an unofficial commitment ceremony. The series first premiered on 18 May 2015 on the Nine Network. The show has had thirteen seasons between 2015 and 2026, plus a two-part reunion special which was broadcast before the eighth season in 2021.
Premise Couples meet for the first time at the altar, before spending their "wedding night" in a hotel and then embarking on a honeymoon. Upon return, they live together for a period of time and each week decide whether they will continue their relationship at a commitment ceremony where they can choose to either stay or leave. Those who stay make their final decision during the final vows. The experts encourage contestants to fully immerse themselves within all stages of the experiment which focuses on relationship building and companionship.
Production In November 2013, the series was originally announced to air in 2014, however was later delayed to the following year and premiered on 18 May 2015, with experts John Aiken, Sabina Read and Trisha Stratford. Following the series premiere, the series was immediately renewed for a second season after a strong debut in its timeslot. Mel Schilling replaced Read as an expert starting from the second season and left in 2026, due to being diagnosed with terminal cancer. In March 2026, Schilling died at the age of 54. Alessandra Rampolla replaced Stratford as an expert starting from the eighth season. It was narrated by Georgie Gardner from 2015 to 2017 for the first four seasons. Since 2018, Helen Dallimore has replaced Gardner as series narrator since the fifth season. In September 2026, Marryam Chehelnabi was announced as Shilling’s replacement.
Series overview SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired Season premiere Season finale 1 6 18 May 2015 22 June 2015 27 4 April 2016 27 April 2016 3 8 29 August 2016 4 29 5 32 6 41 7 36 GR 2 8 32 9 37 10 36 11 38 12 40 13 39
Timeline of narrators and experts Cast Seasons1234567GR8910111213 Narrators Georgie Gardner colspan="4" colspan="10" Helen Dallimore colspan="4" colspan="3" colspan="1" colspan="6" Experts John Aiken colspan="14" Sabina Read colspan="1" colspan="13" Trisha Stratford colspan="7" colspan="7" Mel Schilling colspan="1" colspan="13" Alessandra Rampolla colspan="8" colspan="6"
Season 1 (2015)
In the first episode, two couples (Michael & Roni, Clare & Lachlan) met and wed in Melbourne and Sydney respectively. In the second episode, another two couples (Zoe & Alex, Michelle & James) met and wed in Melbourne and Sydney.
The Nine Network announced on 26 June 2015 that Lachlan would participate in the network's upcoming revival of The Farmer Wants a Wife.
Couple profiles No. Couple Age Home Occupation Honeymoon Final Decision Status 1 Clare Tamas 37 Sydney, New South Wales Marketing manager Gold Coast, Queensland rowspan="2" Separated Lachlan McAleer 36 Sydney, New South Wales Farmer 2 Roni Azzopardi 32 Melbourne, Victoria Payroll manager Wanaka, New Zealand before final decision Separated Michael O'Dea 31 Melbourne, Victoria Event manager 3 Zoe Hendrix 25 Melbourne, Victoria Digital marketing executive Whitsunday Islands rowspan="2" Separated with child Alex Garner 29 Melbourne, Victoria Plumber 4 Michelle Worsley 34 Sydney, New South Wales Communications manager Darwin, Northern Territory rowspan="2" Separated James Webster 36 Sydney, New South Wales Sign writer
Season 2 (2016) In the first episode, two couples (Erin & Bryce, Christie & Mark) met and wed in Melbourne and Sydney. In the second episode, another two couples (Clare & Jono, Simone & Xavier) met and wed in Melbourne and Sydney respectively.
Couple profiles No. Couple Age Home Occupation Honeymoon Final Decision Status 1 Erin Bateman 26 Melbourne, Victoria Retail Manager Palm Cove, Queensland Yes Separated Bryce Mohr 31 Melbourne, Victoria Business analyst 2 Christie Jordee 39 Sydney, New South Wales Business Owner New Caledonia Yes SeparatedMark Hughes36Gippsland, VictoriaFarmer 3 Clare Verrall 32 Melbourne, Victoria Recruitment Consultant Northern Territory before final decision Separated Jono Pitman 28 Melbourne, Victoria Tradie 4 Simone Lee Brennan 29 Sydney, New South Wales Make-up artist Fiji No Separated Xavier Forsberg 26 Sydney, New South Wales Sales manager
Season 3 (2016) Season 3 was the first to feature five couples, including the series' first same sex couple. In the first episode, two couples (Nicole & Keller, Monica & Mark) met and wed in Brisbane and Sydney. In the second episode, another two couples (Jess & Dave, Bella & Michael) met and wed in Sydney and Brisbane. In the third episode, the last couple (Craig & Andy, same sex couple) met and wed in New Zealand.
Couple profiles No. Couple Age Home Occupation Honeymoon Final Decision Status 1 Nicole Heir 28 Gold Coast, Queensland Teacher Cook Islands Yes Separated Craig Keller 26 Brisbane, Queensland Mechanical fitter 2 Monica Vanderkley 28 Sydney, New South Wales Project manager Lord Howe Island Yes Separated Mark Ellam 30 Sydney, New South Wales Firefighter 3 Jess Wardrop 31 Sydney, New South Wales Bank officer Byron Bay, New South Wales before final decision Separated Dave Crisp 28 Melbourne, Victoria Account manager 4 Bella Frizza 30 Gold Coast, Queensland Radio announcer Port Douglas, Queensland Yes Separated Michael Hughes 32 Brisbane, Queensland Fashion accessories designer 5 Craig Roach 41 Gold Coast, Queensland Hairdresser Queenstown, New Zealand before final decision Separated Andy Ankers 41 Sydney, New South Wales Global account director
Season 4 (2017)
In the first episode, two couples (Cheryl & Jonathan, Susan & Sean) met and wed in Sydney and Melbourne. In the second episode, another two couples (Scarlett & Michael, Nadia & Anthony) met and wed in Sydney. In the third episode, two more couples (Alene & Simon, Vanessa & Andy) met and wed in Sydney and Melbourne respectively. In the fourth episode, another two couples (Lauren & Andrew, Deborah & John) met and wed in Sydney. In the fifth episode, the final two couples, two of whom were twins, were all married in the same ceremony in Perth. (Michelle & Jesse, Sharon & Nick). In the ninth episode, two previous contestants were matched up (Andrew & Cheryl).
Season 5 (2018)
In the first episode, the first two couples (Tracey & Dean, Sarah & Telv) met and wed in Sydney and Melbourne. In the second episode, another two couples (Jo & Sean, Alycia & Mat) met and wed in Sydney and Melbourne. In the third episode, two more couples (Davina & Ryan, Charlene & Patrick) met and wed in Warrawong and Melbourne. In the fifth episode, two additional couples—Ashley and Troy, and Melissa and John (the latter a returning groom from season 4)—met and married in the Gold Coast and Melbourne. In the sixth episode, another two couples (Gabrielle & Nasser, Carly & Justin) met and wed in Sydney. In the seventh episode, the final couple (Blair & Sean) met and wed in Sydney.
Season 6 (2019)
In the first episode, two couples (Jules & Cameron, Cyrell & Nic) met and wed in Sydney. In the second episode, two more couples (Jessika & Mick, Melissa & Dino) met and wed in Byron Bay and Hawkesbury River, both in New South Wales. In the third episode, another two couples (Heidi & Mike, Ning & Mark) met and wed in Byron Bay and Melbourne. In the fifth episode, two more couples (Lauren & Matthew, Elizabeth & Sam) met and wed in Byron Bay and Hawkesbury River. In the sixth episode, the two couples (Ines & Bronson, Martha & Michael) met and wed in Byron Bay and Melbourne. In the 18th episode, the final two new couples (Susie & Billy, Tamara & Dan) met and wed in Sydney.
The experts had to decide on a controversial request by Dan and Jess who wanted to leave their respective "spouses" but remain in the experiment as a couple. The experts allowed the couple to leave their previous matches and stay in the experiment as a new couple.
Season 7 (2020)
In the first episode, the first two couples (Poppy & Luke, Cathy & Josh) met and wed in Bilpin and Wyong Creek, both in New South Wales. In the second episode, another two couples (Natasha & Mikey, Amanda & Tash, same sex couple) met and wed in Stanwell Tops and Melbourne. In the third episode, another two couples (Hayley & David, Vanessa & Chris) met and wed in Melbourne and Sydney. In the fifth episode, two more couples (Connie & Jonethen, Aleks & Ivan) met and wed in Melbourne and Sydney. In the sixth episode, two couples (Mishel & Steve, Stacey & Michael) met and wed in Melbourne. In the 18th episode, the final two new couples (Elizabeth & Seb, KC & Drew) met and wed in Sydney and Central Coast.
Grand Reunion special (2021) After Season 8 was delayed by three weeks due to a delayed Australian Open, the Nine Network commissioned a two part reunion special to fill the programming gap. Part 1 centered around a dinner party, whereas Part 2 focused on experts John Aiken and Mel Schilling catching up with each participant, where they reflected on their lives following their time in the experiment.
Part 1 aired on 31 January 2021. Part 2 was scheduled to air on 7 February 2021, however was brought forward to 1 February 2021, as counter-programming to the Seven Network's premiere of Holey Moley.
Participants Participant Season Dean Wells Season 5 Tracey Jewel Season 5 Cyrell Paule Season 6 Ines Bašić Season 6 Jessika Power Season 6 Martha Kalifatidis Season 6 Michael Brunelli Season 6 Sarah Roza Season 5 Nasser Sultan Season 5 Troy Delmege Season 5 Ashley Irvin Season 5 Mike Gunner Season 6 Charlene Perera Season 5 Jo McPharlin Season 5 Ryan Gallagher Season 5 Elizabeth Sobinoff Season 6 & 7 Sebastian Guilhaus Season 7
Season 8 (2021)
In the first episode, two couples (Melissa & Bryce, Rebecca & Jake) met and wed in Richmond and Hunter Valley, both in New South Wales. In the second episode, three more couples (Samantha & Cameron, Booka & Brett, Coco & Sam) met and wed in Sydney and Hunter Valley. In the third episode, another two couples (Alana & Jason, Joanne & James) met and wed in Sydney and Vaucluse. In the fifth episode, two more couples (Belinda & Patrick, Beth & Russell) met and wed in the Hunter Valley and Sydney. In the 14th episode, an additional two couples (Kerry & Johnny, Georgia & Liam) met and wed in Richmond and Helensburgh, both in New South Wales. In the 15th episode, the final couple (Jaimie & Chris) met and wed in Sydney.
Season 9 (2022)
In the first episode, two couples (Selin & Anthony, Tamara & Brent) met and wed in Richmond and Sydney. In the second episode, two more couples (Domenica & Jack, Ella & Mitch) met and wed in Helensburgh and Sydney. In the third episode, another two couples (Holly & Andrew, Selina & Cody) met and wed in Sydney and Cattai, New South Wales. In the fifth episode, two more couples (Olivia & Jackson, Samantha & Al) met and wed in Sydney. In the 14th episode, an additional two couples (Kate & Matt, Carolina & Dion) met and wed in Sydney and Oatlands, New South Wales. In the 15th episode, the final couple (Jessica & Daniel) met and wed in Richmond, New South Wales.
Season 10 (2023)