Bachelor Nation
‘The Golden Bachelor’ Season 2: Premiere Date, New Lead & Everything Else We Know
Fans of Bachelor Nation are longing for more “sunset years” singles to find their special person, and they’re in luck … because The Golden Bachelor is returning for Season 2. Since Joan Vassos bid farewell to 24 men throughout her journey on The Golden Bachelorette, there’s been months of speculation about which rejected suitor could become the Golden Bachelor lead.
ABC went a different direction, though, and dropped a major bombshell about Season 2 on April 22. A few weeks later, the network shared an update about when the show will return, and officially announced the premiere date over the summer. Scroll down for the latest updates about the show’s upcoming second season.
Is there going to be a Golden Bachelor Season 2?
The Golden Bachelor has officially been renewed for a second season. The news was confirmed at Hulu’s “Get Real” House event on April 22, 2025.
Before the official renewal news was confirmed, it was widely assumed that a second season of the hit series would become a reality. Many of The Golden Bachelorette contestants were even asked by media outlets (including Swooon!) and fans alike if they’d be up for the task.
BachelorNation.com, the official website of the producers of The Bachelor franchise, posted a casting call for “senior men and women looking for love.” A version of this casting call was seen during the commercial breaks of The Golden Bachelorette.
Who is the next Golden Bachelor lead?
Along with the Season 2 confirmation, ABC announced that Season 2’s lead will be Mel Owens, a former NFL player who is “eager to meet someone who shares this vision and finally find that perfect teammate he’s been waiting for in his golden years.”
Owens played in the NFL for nine seasons before retiring in 1989. He went on to become a financial advisor before eventually turning his attending to a law career and being admitted to the California bar in 2003. Owens is a founding partner of Namanny, Byrne & Owens in California.
The new lead, who is 66 years old, divorced his wife Fabiana Pimentel in 2020. They share two sons.
In June, Owens appeared on a podcast and came under fire for some comments he made about the age range of women he wants to date on the show. He revealed that he wants to date women who are between the ages of 45 and 60 (much younger than he is himself). Although some fans speculated that ABC might change their casting decision, Owens remains the lead for Season 2.
Originally, many fans hoped Mark Anderson would take over Gerry Turner‘s position as the lead, but that’s no longer an option. Kelsey Anderson‘s “hot dad” is basically Bachelor Nation royalty, making him the obvious choice, but the lead is currently in a relationship with One Tree Hill alum Barbara Alyn Woods.
Other have also called for Jordan Heller or Charles Ling to become the lead. “It’s probably too early to consider that question at this moment,” Charles said after the Men Tell All special.
When will The Golden Bachelor Season 2 premiere?
Season 2 of The Golden Bachelor premieres with a special two-hour episode on Wednesday, September 24, at 8 p.m. ET. It will then move into its regular time slot at 9 p.m. ET beginning on Wednesday, October 1.
The show will be airing on Wednesdays in ABC’s fall 2025 lineup. It will have a one-hour slot from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. (aside from the premiere). The Golden Bachelorette was in this time slot in the fall 2024 lineup.
The Golden Bachelor, Season 2 Premiere, Wednesday, September 24, 8/7c, ABC
