MAFS 2027 Shock Twist: Major Changes, New Faces and the Details Fans Didn’t See Coming
It hasn’t even been six months since the 2026 season of Married At First Sight Australia wrapped, but we already know who is going on the show in 2027.
The controversial Channel Nine dating experiment is heading into its 14th season early next year, and if the 2026 season is anything to go by, we are in for another wild ride.
The show is expected to premiere in early 2027 on Channel 9 and 9Now, airing across multiple nights a week as usual.
But who will be walking down the aisle this time?
Scroll on to find out everything we know so far.
Filming for MAFS 2027 is underway, and the cast are promising to be as entertaining as usual. (Credit: Channel Nine)
Who will be in the MAFS 2027 cast?
The next season is currently being filmed, and we already know the names of one of the brides.
But before we get to that, experts John Aiken and Alessandra Rampolla have told us what to expect from the contestants.
“We’ve got some extreme views from the brides and grooms,” influenced a lot by TikTok John told us when we asked him at the 2026 TV Week Logie Awards. “And the biggest issue is whether they can let go of their unrelenting standards.”
When we asked Alessandra, she said it was too early to provide a proper reading on them.
“I’m just going to say that at this point of what we’re filming, because we have only just begun recently, I still feel they haven’t quite revealed themselves,” she explained.
“So for me, it’s still a surprise of what’s to come. I don’t really know.”
Scroll on to read more about who’s going on the show.
(Credit: Backgrid)
Connor Rogers and Leanne Rosario
Connor Rogers is reportedly paired up with makeup artist Leanne Rosario.
According to the Daily Mail, Connor was previously a footballer, but had to walk away from his dream due to a catastrophic knee injury.
And MAFS isn’t his first reality show – he also previously appeared on Dating Naked: UK.
Leanne on the other hand, is also a Reformer Pilates instructor and is the owner of the Soflo Studios in Melbourne.
The pair were photographed outside of Skye Suites getting groceries.
(Credit: Backgrid)
Rob Harb and Sophie Vidal
According to the Daily Mail, Rob Harb is a footballer and has been matched with Sophie Vidal.
While the bride has been described as easygoing, she could also be feisty.
“She is very sweet and cool, but she can definitely be feisty when she needs to be,” one friend told the publication.
The pair were photographed entering Skye Suites on August 5.
(Credit: Backgrid)
Sarah Jane and Steven Hiles
Steven is a hospitality operator from Sydney, and could be one of the most confident grooms to date.
He previously worked on the Hunter Wine Bar in Mosman and the White Horse Hotel.
Now, he is a partner in two Play Zone venues in Melbourne and on the Gold Coast.
Not too much is known about his match, Sarah Jane, but they were photographed filming the show in August.
(Credit: Supplied)
Sarina Monastirli
New Idea can exclusively reveal that Sarina Monastirli, who hails from Victoria and has a background in theatre, is one of next year’s contestants.
A source tells us that she stood out to Channel Nine producers because she didn’t have a strong social media presence.
She has been matched with Brisbane café owner Tim Bates, who competed on Million Dollar Island in 2023.
“They’ve been on their honeymoon and filmed their Honesty Box already,” the insider dishes. “They actually seem to be going really well.”
“She isn’t an influencer,” a production source tells New Idea about this 2027 bride. “She’s very normal compared to what people might expect.”
What else do we know about the MAFS 2027 cast?
Even though they haven’t all been photographed, these aren’t the only brides and grooms we know of.
Lily Holics, who works for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, has been matched with James Smith.
Reports also reveal that cosmetic nurse Kodie Wyatt will go through the experiment with former coal miner and father of two Wintah Cunnington.
In 2027, we can also expect another same-sex couple to say “I do” on the show.
Victoria Sellar and Shona Marino have been matched together, with a source telling the Daily Mail that they both said they were open to matching with either a man or a woman.
“Both women were completely open about who they could see themselves falling in love with,” an insider told the publication.
“It is a big match for the show, but it was made for the right reasons.”
The MAFS 2027 cohort will also include a former star of The Bachelorette Australia – Kayne Buik.
He famously went on the inaugural season of the show with leading lady, Sam Frost. He now shares his dating observations with his TikTok audience, which has reportedly been a drawcard for producers.
“He has built an entire brand around singles, flirting and modern dating, so putting him inside the MAFS experiment is pretty perfect,” the source said.
“He is confident, funny and very switched-on socially. He knows how to make people feel comfortable, but he also knows how to get attention when he wants it.”
The entrepreneur has been matched with Adelaide-based real estate agent Kristen Goedecke.
Marketing professional James Alexander has also signed up for the show, and has been paired with nurse Katherine Lennon.
Bella Kajewski and Chris Colombo are being tipped as one of the feistiest couples of the season. While they’re said to get along during the earlier stages of filming, they both have strong personalities.
MAFS fans want 2026 hopeful Ignatius to return. (Credit: Channel Nine)
A second chance for someone unlucky in love
While other cast details are being kept under lock and key, MAFS fans have already been begging for one back-up groom to take centre stage on the 2027 series.
The controversial ‘Grass is Greener’ challenge returned on the 2026 series, where the contestants had a chance to see who else they could have been matched with on the show.
And viewers were left gutted that Ignatius, who could have been matched with Rachel Gilmore, didn’t get his chance to shine on the series, other than his brief appearance for the challenge.
“He’s a sweetheart, and I want to know more about him. PLEASE bring him next season,” one fan begged after the episode aired.
If previous seasons are anything to go by, the 2027 intake will be a mix of hopeful romantics, divorced singles ready to try again and career-focused thirty-somethings who’ve decided it’s finally time to find their person.
Past seasons of the MAFS experiment have given us some truly unforgettable characters and couples.
Jules Robinson and Cam Merchant and Martha Kalifatidis and Michael Brunelli are among those who made it beyond final vows — and we’re fully expecting 2027 to deliver more drama and love stories.
John Aiken and Alessandra Rampolla are expected to return as experts. (Credit: Getty)
Who are the MAFS 2027 experts?
John Aiken and certified sexologist Alessandra Rampolla are both expected to return to the couch.
It will be a poignant series as it will be the first since fan favourite Mel Schilling’s death.
The beloved relationship expert passed away aged 54 following a battle with bowel cancer, leaving a huge hole in the MAFS family that will be deeply felt going into next season.
Another expert is assumed to take her place, but Nine has not confirmed anything at this stage.
When does MAFS 2027 start?
While Channel Nine hasn’t locked in an official premiere date, early February 2027 is the safe bet, based on how previous seasons have rolled out.
Filming has already started and is expected to run until November 2026, so there’s still plenty of drama to come.
We’ll update this page the moment more details drop, so check back soon.
