If you have been wondering what the plan is with The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 5 after that mid-season freeze, here is where things sit: the show is gearing back up, executive producer Jeff Jenkins wants Taylor Frankie Paul in the mix again, and a new court order now guarantees she and her ex, Dakota Mortensen, will not be filming together. Clean lines. Clear rules. Still a few question marks.
What the boss is saying
Jenkins, speaking at Deadline's Reality TV Summit on Friday, May 1, said he hopes Taylor returns to film with the group, but her well-being comes first. He also confirmed he has been on the phone with her for a long check-in this week and came away feeling like she is steady and composed. On the production front, he says Hulu and Disney have given the thumbs up to restart cameras, but there is no hard date yet. Translation: it is coming, just not scheduled on the call sheet.
"It is a legal matter so I can tell you definitely that they will not be shooting together."
The new court line in the sand
Also on Friday, May 1, at Salt Lake City's Third District Courthouse, Utah Commissioner Russell Minas issued matching protective orders for both Taylor, 31, and Dakota, 33. The orders require them to stay at least 100 feet apart for the next three years. The stated goal: break the cycle of what the court called "a very toxic relationship." So yes, even if production wanted a joint scene, it is off the table for a long while.
Why filming paused in the first place
Season 5 stopped cold in March after Taylor and Dakota became the subjects of multiple domestic violence investigations. One flashpoint was a video from a February 2023 altercation that made the rounds online. In the fallout, ABC pulled plans to air Taylor's season of The Bachelorette — an unexpected crossover that, frankly, I did not have on my bingo card. Taylor and Dakota share a 2-year-old son, Ever True Mortensen; Taylor also has two older kids — daughter Indy May Paul and son Ocean Paul — with ex-husband Tate Paul.
On April 14, Utah authorities decided Taylor would not face charges related to a February 2026 domestic violence incident. That date obviously does not line up with the rest of the timeline — likely a typo in the paperwork or reporting — but it is the case at the center of all this. That ruling is what opened the door for production to start moving again.
Timeline, quick version
- February 2023: Video surfaces of an altercation involving Taylor and Dakota.
- March: Season 5 filming is halted after multiple domestic violence investigations begin.
- April 14: Utah authorities say Taylor will not be charged in the case tied to the ongoing mess (the ruling references February 2026, which appears to be a date error).
- May 1 (morning): Court issues 3-year protective orders; Taylor and Dakota must stay 100 feet apart.
- May 1 (later): EP Jeff Jenkins says he hopes Taylor returns, confirms Hulu/Disney have okayed filming to resume, but there is no start date yet.
How Taylor and Dakota are framing it
After the no-charges decision, Taylor posted that she cried when she got the call and thanked the people who backed her through everything. Dakota, in his own post, said stepping away from the chaos gave him clarity, and that his focus is now on his son and creating a stable home. He said he regrets not leaving the unhealthy cycle earlier, takes responsibility for his part, and apologized to those he hurt — while also pushing back on how the situation has been portrayed publicly, saying it does not reflect the full context or the impact on him and his child.
Will Taylor be back on camera?
Behind the scenes, the door is open. Producers and cast have invited Taylor to return to filming. It is still up in the air whether she rejoins this year, but she is expected to come back down the line, and she reportedly wants to — it is more about timing. Dakota will not be involved with the show going forward; the network wants them firmly on separate tracks and is not interested in stoking a dynamic the court has already labeled toxic.
Where you can watch
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is streaming on Hulu. As for when fresh season 5 footage hits, stay tuned — the lights are warming up, but the cameras are not rolling just yet.