Production for the hit reality series Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is reportedly preparing to resume just hours after star Taylor Frankie Paul's intense court battle with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. Filming for the popular show was previously put on hold amid a domestic violence scandal involving Paul, 31, and Mortensen, which created significant uncertainty surrounding the fate of Season 5.
Court Drama and Production Delays
The drama surrounding Paul extended beyond the reality series, as she was also scheduled to star in an upcoming season of The Bachelorette. That season was ultimately scrapped after resurfaced footage related to a 2023 case emerged online. With ABC pulling the plug on her Bachelorette debut, attention shifted back to Mormon Wives and its uncertain future.
However, less than twenty-four hours after Paul faced Mortensen in court—where his lawyer accused her of attempting to 'assassinate' his character as he fought for a protective order—the cast appears increasingly optimistic about the show's return. Sources close to the production informed TMZ on Wednesday that cast members including Jessi Draper, Mayci Neeley, and Layla Taylor are hopeful filming will resume within weeks.
Pressure to Wrap Production Quickly
There is mounting pressure to complete production swiftly to avoid further delays. Nevertheless, a separate source with inside knowledge revealed to the outlet that Hulu executives have not yet made a definitive decision regarding the show's future, including whether the remainder of Season 5 will proceed.
Just last week, costars Neeley and Taylor fueled speculation of a return by sharing cryptic messages hinting that cameras could soon be rolling again. Neeley, 31, and Taylor, 25, both reshared an article concerning Draper's Call Her Daddy podcast interview, where Draper, 33, expressed hope that Mormon Wives filming could resume.
Neeley reshared the piece writing, 'We’re ready,' alongside a video camera emoji. She added, 'It’s time to take back Barbieland,' a playful nod to the hit 2023 Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie. Taylor, meanwhile, reshared the same article and wrote, 'Let’s do this girls!!!' She also added, 'Love our team so much and so grateful,' tagging production company Jeff Jenkins Productions and Hulu.
Legal Battles and Protective Orders
The report follows Mortensen's legal team criticizing Paul after Tuesday's court hearing, accusing her of trying to 'assassinate Dakota’s character as a dad.' This occurred during a lengthy virtual hearing where Mortensen sought a protective order against Paul. The original order, granted on March 20, had prohibited Taylor from seeing their son until Tuesday's hearing.
Mortensen currently has temporary custody of their 2-year-old son Ever. Paul also shares daughter Indy, eight, and son Ocean, five, with her ex-husband Tate Paul. On Tuesday, the judge temporarily allowed Paul eight hours of supervised visitation per week until the next hearing.
Unexpected Legal Twist
In an unexpected development, Paul was granted a temporary protective order against Mortensen on Wednesday after presenting her own evidence of alleged abuse. In her restraining order filing submitted in Utah court, Paul included photographs documenting injuries from an alleged May 2025 assault, as well as bruises from an alleged February 2026 attack.
Paul further accused Mortensen of stalking, assaulting, and becoming 'increasingly possessive' leading up to her now-canceled Bachelorette debut. The hearing came after a new investigation was opened in February of this year following fresh allegations of Paul attacking Mortensen. Then, in March, a third police investigation was launched when Mortensen reported a separate alleged incident from 2024.
Financial Implications and Brand Partnerships
The court hearing also follows reports that Paul will still receive her full fee for The Bachelorette despite the series being abruptly pulled. The reality star had already completed filming and participated in much of the promotional rollout before the project was shelved. Insiders told TMZ that her contract guarantees payment for services rendered, meaning she is entitled to the full sum after fulfilling her obligations.
While the exact amount remains unclear, sources suggest her earnings fall within the low-to-mid six-figure range, consistent with past leads on the franchise. The payout is expected to be covered by Warner Bros. Discovery, the studio behind the production.
Impact on Brand Collaborations
The ongoing investigation has also affected The Bachelorette's brand partnerships. On March 17, Cinnabon announced it was terminating its collaboration with both Paul and the ABC show, despite having previously promoted new products tied to the series. 'Cinnabon has made the decision to terminate its collaboration with The Bachelorette and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,' the company stated.
'Recent developments and allegations surrounding the lead cast member led us to reassess this collaboration as it no longer aligns with our brand values.' As production discussions continue, the future of both Paul's career and the reality series remains closely watched by fans and industry observers alike.
