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After a season plagued by controversy, Married At First Sight bosses know they can't afford another casting misstep.
The producers, in partnership with top brass at Channel Nine, have spent recent weeks finalising the line-up for the 2027 season.
It will be a transitional season, sources say, with a successor to expert Mel Schilling to be introduced following her death from cancer earlier this year.
It's been an open secret in MAFS circles for months that top of the producers' wish list is Angela McColl, the estranged wife of ex-criminal-turned-YouTuber Spanian.
A well-placed insider tells me executives are keen to lock in McColl, confident that revelations about her break-up will draw in Gen Z viewers who rarely watch TV.
McColl had previously teased a tell-all about the split that never materialised, leaving a question mark hovering over what caused them to break up.
A MAFS insider tells me executives are keen to lock in Spanian's ex-wife Angela McColl, confident that revelations about her break-up will draw in Gen Z viewers who rarely watch TV
McColl had previously teased a tell-all about the split that never materialised, leaving a question mark hovering over what caused them to break up
Spanian, fresh from a nose job, was spotted out and about in Barangaroo in November
Since the end of their marriage, she has launched her own YouTube food channel.
Meanwhile, Spanian has moved on with new girlfriend Ava Jean Walker, recently bringing her on a seven-star Dubai holiday.
I have heard from mutual friends that McColl was approached by MAFS producers and she has been telling friends about it.
Whether that results in her walking down the aisle as a MAFS bride remains to be seen.
As anyone who has reported on the show will tell you, nothing is ever 100 per cent confirmed until you see the person walk down the aisle - and I should note that neither McColl nor Nine are confirming anything.
As for the McColl rumour, all I can say is: I've been hearing this for weeks now from sources who have been right before, again and again.
If they did manage to lock her in, it would be a hell of a coup.
MAFS has always been on the front foot when it comes to dragging younger, social-first audiences back to free-to-air TV with savvy casting.
Spanian and McColl's son was only a baby when the couple's marriage broke down
Spanian - whose real name is Anthony Lees - has moved on with new girlfriend Ava Jean Walker, recently bringing her on a seven-star Dubai holiday
The breakdown of McColl's marriage to Spanian - whose real name is Anthony Lees - came just months after their son was born.
The split attracted widespread attention, which only intensified after McColl hinted that she might reveal details of the split on social media.
However, she would later decide against that, stepping away from the public spotlight for a while before returning with a YouTube channel of her own.
It comes as insiders tell me MAFS is tightening its vetting process behind the scenes.
'Everyone knows the stakes are higher now,' a source told the Daily Mail.
'MAFS Australia isn't just a local television show anymore. It's watched all over the world and every casting decision gets picked apart.'
The renewed focus on contestant welfare comes as the MAFS franchise faces mounting international scrutiny, with MAFS UK under external review over a string of troubling allegations.
Sources say prospective brides and grooms now face far more rigorous background checks, social media audits and reference checks than ever before.
The goal is simple: ensure there are no major surprises once filming begins.
The breakdown of McColl's marriage to Spanian attracted widespread attention
McColl has launched a popular YouTube channel of her own since splitting from Spanian
According to another production source, the priority heading into 2027 is finding contestants with genuine relationship intentions rather than simply chasing social media fame.
'They still want big personalities. Nobody is pretending otherwise,' the insider said.
'But the brief this year has been different. They're looking for people with real stories, real jobs and genuine reasons for doing the experiment.
'They don't want another season where the conversation is constantly about off-screen controversies.
'They want drama that happens naturally through the relationships, not because someone has a problematic history that wasn't picked up during casting.'
McColl's presence on producers' radar highlights the delicate balancing act facing the franchise.
After years of criticism that MAFS is too focused on influencer culture, executives are now working towards reaching a better balance between 'drama' and credibility.
A third insider claimed viewers should expect a clear shift in tone next season.
'I think audiences will be surprised,' the source said.
'There are still going to be huge personalities and explosive moments because that's MAFS, but there's been a conscious effort to get back to the love stories.
'People fell in love with this show because of couples they genuinely cared about. That's something producers are very aware of.'
Another major challenge facing producers ahead of the new season is the future of the show's expert panel following the death of Mel Schilling (right, with John Aiken)
The future of the expert panel is also in flux, after the passing of Mel Schilling.
Producers are searching for a new relationship expert who can help steer the show into its next phase.
Alessandra Rampolla and John Aiken will both return in 2027, with a replacement for Schilling to be announced soon.
'They want experts who will challenge bad behaviour, hold participants accountable and help create genuine connections,' an insider said.
'They have completely ruled out having a former cast member like Lucinda Light joining the panel because it just won't work.'
Married At First Sight will return to Nine in February.
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