‘The Bachelorette’ Reveals Huge Season 22 Change for Taylor Frankie Paul

A big change is coming to The Bachelorette in 2026. Not only did the show cast a lead, Taylor Frankie Paul, outside of the franchise, but it will be airing in the first half of the year, as opposed to its usual summertime slot.

But that’s not the only schedule shift the show will be seeing. In fact, it will be airing on a totally new day of the week than Bachelor Nation fans are used to.

Season 22 of The Bachelorette will be airing on Sundays at 8/7c, and it does not premiere until Sunday, March 22. The show normally airs on Mondays during the summer, but ABC has shifted its programming for 2026. Since there was no new season of The Bachelorette in 2025, the show is airing in the first half of the year, which is when The Bachelor is usually on, instead.

However, March is a late start, as The Bachelor usually premieres at the end of January and airs until March on Monday nights. This year, American Idol will be airing on Mondays with a January 26 premiere date.

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Over the years, Bachelor Nation shows have taken up time slots on other days. In fact, The Golden Bachelor is currently airing on Wednesday nights, while Bachelor in Paradise has aired on Tuesdays over the summer before. However, The Bachelor and The Bachelorette rarely stray from the Monday night schedule, so this is definitely something new.

Paul, known for starring in Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, was announced as the new lead in September. The mom of three was previously married to husband Tate Paul and ended her relationship with boyfriend Dakota Mortensen earlier this year.

Ahead of The Bachelorette, she’ll appear on Season 3 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which premieres on November 13.

The Bachelorette, Season 22 Premiere, Sunday, March 22, 8/7c, ABC