Production on the fifth season of the Hulu reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is set to resume after being halted in March due to a domestic incident involving cast member Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.
Filming was paused in mid-March after authorities opened an investigation into an alleged altercation between Paul and Mortensen, who share a two-year-old son. At the time, a police spokesperson confirmed an open "domestic assault investigation" with "allegations... made in both directions."
"Due to the high profile of the defendant, the cases were reviewed by multiple attorneys," noted a news release from the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office.
On April 14, prosecutors announced they would not be filing charges against Paul following separate investigations by two police departments. In response, Paul shared an emotional message on social media, reflecting on her ordeal.
"We have a road ahead but regardless, I'm forever freed from a certain living hell I couldn't find my way out of," she wrote. "Metaphorically someone witnessed me bleeding out and poured salt all over me... somehow I'm still here."
The 31-year-old reality star also referenced her faith, noting the timing of the decision: "God undoubtedly had a hand in this because after waiting 7 weeks on the 7th day EXACTLY I received the call all charges dropped. Those are his numbers symbolic for his plans."
The production pause came just days after footage surfaced of a previous 2023 physical altercation between Paul and Mortensen, during which Paul's daughter from a previous relationship was injured. Paul had pleaded guilty to aggravated assault for that incident.
The release of that 2023 footage prompted ABC to cancel Paul's already-filmed season of The Bachelorette, which was scheduled to premiere on March 22. A Disney Entertainment spokesperson stated at the time, "In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family."
Paul and Mortensen's relationship began in July 2022 and was featured on the reality show, but ended due to allegations of infidelity. They welcomed their son in 2024.
While production on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is set to resume, details about the exact filming schedule and the future involvement of Paul and Mortensen in the series remain undisclosed.