How the coronavirus pandemic has changed Married At First Sight

Married At First Sight is likely to look very different in 2021.

In an interview with MediaWeek on Monday, Channel Nine’s head of content, production and development, Adrian Swift, confirmed the hit reality show had been dramatically impacted by the coronavirus.

Adrian admitted the format of the show was creating some challenges amid the pandemic.

‘Married at First Sight will not be able to go ahead like it did last year. It is next year where we think things could be more challenging,’ Adrian told the publication.

But he joked that enforced social distancing might actually prove to be beneficial for the show’s participants.   

‘To be honest, it might be better that way. If the couples stood 1.5 metres apart they might like each other more,’ he joked. 

He added: ‘I expect the show to perhaps change fundamentally next year, but it won’t be about social distance.’  

The coronavirus pandemic has already created production delays for the network, with Adrian admitting it’s forced them to review how many shows are made.  

‘It is all about duty of care, looking after participants,’ he continued. 

‘When you are suddenly faced with the possibility of cast and crew getting infected by something it moves the focus away from production and closer to how do you treat the staff and contributors. 

‘We probably took the process for granted before. Now we examine the process more and that has been good for us.’   

Last month, New Idea revealed filming on the upcoming season of Married At First Sight had been suspended in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Production was due to start in August, with filming wrapping in December, but it was put on hold just a week after casting began.

‘Not being able to hold hands, no kissing and social distancing makes it hard to film a wedding,’ a source told New Idea at the time.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel Nine for comment.