After a year-long hiatus, Bachelor in Paradise is making its highly-anticipated return to ABC, and in honor of the spin-off’s milestone tenth season, the beach looks a lot different this time around. To stress just how much has changed this season, we’d typically say something like, “This isn’t your grandma’s Paradise.” But with Golden Bachelor and Golden Bachelorette contestants joining Bachelor and Bachelorette alum for the first time ever, it sort of *is* your grandma’s Paradise! In a sprightly way! Will fan-favorite franchise alum (young and old) find love in a new tropical setting? And what twists, challenges, and surprises will Paradise 2.0 have in store during its July 7 premiere and beyond? Read on for a taste of what’s to come.
Opening Shot: Season 10 opens with a shot of Paradise’s new digs, with a twist. Everyone’s already gone! The flash forward teases the drama, chaos, and romance that lies ahead. So buckle up and brace for a wild ride.
The Gist: As always, Bachelor in Paradise gathers men and women from Bachelor and Bachelorette (and now Golden) seasons past for second (and sometimes third) shots at finding love within the franchise. A group of 16 younger guys and gals set to kick things off includes contestants from Grant Ellis, Jenn Tran, and Joey Graziadei’s seasons, as well as a few familiar Paradise faces (Kat Ellis and Justin Glaze), and wildcards like Bachelorette Season 16 winner Dale Moss. Three episodes in, they’ll be joined by a group of Golden contestants, including Leslie Fhima, Gary Levingston, and Kathy Swarts. And with help from host Jesse Palmer, beloved bartender Wells Adams, and new head of Paradise Relations Hannah Brown, the folks will navigate challenges, dates, and daily drama in hopes of finding someone to leave the beach with at the end of the experience.
What Shows Will It Remind You Of? As always, the first comparison tier consists of fellow franchise series The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, The Golden Bachelor, and The Golden Bachelorette — especially since Paradise solely casts alum. That said, thanks to the revamp (more on this below) Paradise Season 10 will remind you much more of reality dating series outside the franchise than Paradise seasons past.
Our Take: As a reminder, after witnessing the greatness that was The Golden Bachelor, Decider once made the case for cancelling Bachelor in Paradise. Now that we have The Golden Bachelorette and our Golden Bachelor in Paradise dreams (sort of) came true, however, we’re happy to give the messy summer spin-off another chance to prove its worth.
Since Bennett Graebner and Claire Freeland departed the franchise as executive producers and showrunners in March following “toxic” workplace allegations, Paradise Season 10 marks the introduction of new showrunner/EP Scott Teti, also set to head The Bachelor Season 30. While behind-the-scenes updates have been scarce, Teti’s creative impact on Paradise will be quickly apparent, with flashy, next-level (at times hilariously cinematic) production, a loud hype soundtrack, and other creative touches like elaborate daydream sequences acted out for dramatic effect. If you’ve tuned into Paradise in the past, there’s no denying that Season 10 is a standout installment. But revamped visuals, elevated camera quality, and a sexy new vibe aren’t the only improvements. As promised, the franchise also notably switches up the show’s structure.
On top of Golden contestants and a move from Paradise‘s signature Mexico beach to the air-conditioned Azura Beach Resort in Costa Rica, Season 10 will also feature challenges designed to test chemistry and other surprises, including a jaw-dropping twist that may prove to be overkill. Only time will tell! The reinvented Paradise could be a soaring success, or it could wind up feeling overwhelming, forced, and overstuffed. In an interview with Decider ahead of Season 10’s premiere, however, Jesse Palmer shared the following hopeful tease about Season 10’s surprises: “Wells, Hannah, and I spent a lot of time in the control room together watching everything unfold. We would meet at my palapa and have drinks to digest everything that we just saw, cause there’s a lot of love, there’s a lot of drama, there’s some crazy. And you know it’s bad when we need cocktails to try and digest it. Or I should say, you know it’s really good.”
Ultimately, it will take more than one episode to properly judge the new iteration of Bachelor in Paradise; to see if the spin-off has what it takes to not only survive, but thrive, amidst growing competition. That said, I have faith that the Goldens will bring a unique spark to the series that we’re not getting from any show on TV right now. And whether you love or hate the premiere, it’s clear the franchise is making a concerted, long-overdue effort to drastically change its game. After so many let downs, there’s something refreshing about the follow-through.
Sex and Skin: As far as the Bachelor franchise goes, Paradise always shows the most skin with beach days and bathing suits lounging every day. As for sex, no eyes on a “boom-boom room” yet, but Teti told Entertainment Weekly that a swanky “VIP Suite” will be available to contestants who want to get some alone time. So who knows what can happen!
Parting Shot: Before an eventful Season 10 preview, Bachelor in Paradise’s premiere concludes with a shot of Jesse Palmer telling remaining contestants: “If you think you know how Paradise works, get ready because everything is about to change.” Dun dun duuun...
Sleeper Star: We’re thrilled to see fan-favorite Jenn exes (Spencer and Jonathon), Grant exes (Bailey, Alexe, Zoe), Joey gals (Lexi and Jess), and THE Dale Moss in Season 10’s cast. But since the Golden Guys and Gals only appear in a teaser at the end of the premiere, they’ve earned the true Sleeper Star titles. The fact that the senior contestants don’t arrive until Episode 3 has me move convinced than ever that Paradise will never be the same once they arrive for body shots, partying, wisdom sharing, and more.
Most Pilot-y Line: “Get ready, America. Bachelor in Paradise is back and it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.” Bachelor Nation déjà vu — but maybe it’s true this time!
Our Call: STREAM IT. Even if you’re raring to return to the beach, the new Bachelor in Paradise (especially the Goldens) needs to be seen to be believed.