Well, well, well. Just over a month after Daily Mail "broke the news" that Brigitte Zonta, aka Dr Lurve, had been cast as the new relationship expert on Married At First Sight (MAFS) 2027, Channel Nine has announced that someone else will actually be stepping into the role.
Marryam Chehelnabi, who was the lead therapist on the SBS series Couples Therapy Australia, will join relationship expert John Aiken and sexologist Alessandra Rampolla on the upcoming 14th season of MAFS.
Marryam brings a high level of expertise to the role as she holds a Master of Science in Medicine from the University of Sydney as well as a Master of Counselling and Applied Psychotherapy. She is also a PACFA Registered Clinical Psychotherapist (Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia) — which basically means she knows her shit.
It’s undoubtedly a tough gig to fill after former expert Mel Schilling sadly passed away in March 2026 following a battle with colon cancer, but Channel Nine said in a statement that Marryam “adds a powerful new dimension to the experiment”.
“Her extensive background and wealth of experience will bring a fresh and distinctive perspective to the experiment,” they added.
Hopefully Marryam helps the show increase its success rate after a string of recent breakups!
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What else do we know about MAFS 2027?
Filming for MAFS 2027 is currently underway, with a former Love Island Australia contestant recently spotted filming their wedding as an intruder.
Channel Nine’s press release teases that the new season will feature “unprecedented emotional depth, sharp twists, and explosive dynamics, with authentic heart and romance at the very centre of every story from the moment the couples step up to the altar”.
The Stan Original Series MAFS: After The Dinner Party is also set to return in 2027 with hosts Jules Lund, Brittany Hockley and Laura Byrne back on the couch to grill the participants, air exclusive unseen footage and provide expert commentary.
“Prepare for an extraordinary season of instant sparks, raw vulnerability, and unforgettable television when Married at First Sight dominates Australian screens again in 2027,” the statement continued.
What else is launching on Channel Nine in 2027?
As for other reality shows on the network in 2027, it’s been announced that the 23rd season of The Block will see contestants tackle heritage restorations in Sunbury, Victoria, after two years of new builds.
There will also be a spin-off series on Stan titled The Block: The House Next Door, where fan-favourite all-stars tackle a sixth renovation over the fence.
Meanwhile, Love Island Australia is getting the Stan treatment with the new spin-off Love Island Australia: Unseen. Uncut, which features unseen and exclusive footage.
Huge!
