For the first time in the franchise’s history, The maiden will produce two cycles in the same calendar year. The summer staple was renewed by ABC for seasons 17 and 18 to air in 2021. They will be spearheaded by two Bachelor Nation Nation favorites, Katie Thurston and Michelle Young, who had been heavily speculated to be the next Bachelorette after make breakouts of the recently completed, marked by the controversial 25th season of The bachelor.
The maiden Season 17, starring Thurston, will be the first, to debut in the summer of 2021; the 18th season of the show, starring Young, will air in the fall of 2021. The announcement was made by The Bachelor: After the Final Rose Presenter Emmanuel I think during the hour-long special that followed the end of the 25th season led by Matt James.
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A longtime summer MVP rating for ABC, The maiden it aired its first autumn edition last year out of necessity, after the production stoppage forced by the coronavirus pandemic postponed filming of the series for several months. The change worked, and The maiden was one of ABC’s best ratings last year, ranking as the 4th entertainment program broadcast in the fall in 18-49 (rating 1.8) and ABC’s second best rating behind Grey’s Anatomy. Coexisted with the venerable Dancing with the stars, then season 18 will not necessarily replace Dancing in programming like The bachelor does in the middle of the season.
The maiden is a production of Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Unscripted Television. Mike Fleiss, Martin Hilton, Nicole Woods, Bennett Graebner, Peter Gust, Tim Warner, Louis Caric and Peter Geist are executive producers.
Here are the biographies of the new Bachelorettes provided by ABC:
Katie Thurston, “The Bachelorette” season 17 premiering in the summer of 2021
Among the women of the 25th season, Katie emerged as a leading voice, who repeatedly stood up against bullying and negativity in the home. The 30-year-old Washington native instantly became a fan favorite for her memorable arrival the night she introduced herself to Matt, with a light vibrator in tow. Without apologizing herself, Katie is adventurous, daring and ready for a man with whom she can build a life. A marketing manager with an innate view of social media and a good-natured outlook on life, she is a witty storyteller who wants a man to laugh with her.
Michelle Young, “The Bachelorette” season 18, debuting in the fall of 2021
After entering the season as a late arrival, Michelle immediately stole The Bachelor’s attention. A former Minnesota Division I basketball player, the 28-year-old kindergarten teacher now focuses on preparing her students to be the next generation of community leaders. Michelle has big dreams for the future and says she wants a man by her side who will support her and commit to making the world a better place. She is looking for Superman for her Superwoman and is ready to find a love with whom she can start a family of her own.