Married At First Sight Season 13 - What We Know So Far

Lifetime's flagship reality TV series, Married at First Sight, is currently in its 12th season. The show has evolved a lot over the years, with its most recent changes involving a concept move to Atlanta, and the series now depicting couples as they navigate relationships while dealing with pets, sexual connection, and "monthiversaries" as they decide whether or not they're compatible enough to stick it out past the season's end. Over the course of more than 200 episodes, the show has become an addictive pleasure for many as they wonder how in the world expert matchmakers pair up couples that turn out to be completely wrong for each other — or root for the couples that look like they're truly meant to last. 

That now tried-and-true formula, putting singles together through an extensive research-based process and then marrying them the moment they meet, may seem gimmicky, but it's worked well for Lifetime. In fact, last August Deadline reported that the network had picked up six more seasons of Married at First Sight, in one of the biggest TV orders ever, and had also green-lit a spinoff. So, there's no danger you'll have to go too long without the show — at least for the next few years. But if you're already looking forward to the relationship hijinks that are sure to be involved in season 13, here's what we know so far about the next season.

According to Soap Dirt, the filming of Married at First Sight's 13th season is underway. The publication says that the couples from Texas that will be the next batch to test the marriage waters were "married between Feb. 19-21." As you may recall, if you ever pay any attention to the news at all, that means the Texas reality show stars were likely dealing with power outages and other problems related to the winter storms that hit the state at exactly the same time. 

Nevertheless, the show must go on, and it's natural to assume that the couples have gone on their honeymoons and have now returned to deal with real-life relationship woes as they decide — probably in just a week or so, since one of the standard conceits of the show is the eight-week deadline to make a decision about divorce — whether they're going to stick with it or part ways. 

Historically, seasons of Married at First Sight drop in January every year and then sometime during the summer — usually, June or July. However in 2020, COVID-19 wreaked havoc on the series' timeline (and the couples' relationships), which was right in the middle of production when it halted. Still, it seems like the show is still on track for a summer release of the 13th season.

Casting, of course, is an important part of a reality show like this, and determines the part of the show that can't be quantified on paper by its expert matchmakers. According to the Houston Chronicle, casting for the 13th season of Married at First Sight started in August 2020 with an online questionnaire featuring 63 questions. 

While fans haven't gotten any information yet about who's been cast as the next lab rats in the show's social experiment, the show's resident experts are naturally expected to remain — even if fans are starting to wonder on Reddit if they even have the best interests of the couples in mind. These are: Dr. Pepper Schwartz, a Professor of Sociology, author, and Seattle resident; Dr. Viviana Coles, president and psychotherapist at Houston Relationship Therapy; and Pastor Calvin Roberson, who operates a marriage coaching organization called Married and Naked with his wife and serves his congregation at Atlanta's Progression Church.

Who's next season's Chris Williams, who was pegged as season 12's villain by disgusted viewers? You'll just have to stay tuned and see.

Fans aren't likely to get a trailer for season 13 of Married at First Sight until season 12 has been completed, since Lifetime wouldn't want to steal the current season's thunder while it's still going on. Generally, the network starts to air sneak peeks of a new season of the show not long before they start airing.

Plus, filming is still taking place on the next season, so no conclusions have been made yet about the status of the five couples that will be featured. Heck, the producers at Married at First Sight are reportedly already working on season 14; Boston.com reports that casting began in February, with filming is expected to take place in June and July of 2021. This is clearly a show that's got its timeline down pat, and knows how to multitask. It also knows how to promote itself properly, so expect a whole lotta hush-hush on season 13 — at least until Lifetime is ready.