‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Season 5 Cut Short, Whitney Leavitt Exits
Season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is on the way. That’s the good news. Getting to this point has not been easy. With departing cast members, including Whitney Leavitt, legal drama, and a pause in production, it was debatable whether the season would ever see the light of day. We finally have some answers as to where the season is in production. Still, fans are likely to be bummed to learn just how abbreviated the season will be.
A “very abbreviated” Season 5 of ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ is on the way
Conner Leavitt and Whitney Leavitt are finally talking about what is to come for the beloved Hulu series, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and their lives. The pair appeared on the Just Trish podcast this week to discuss the future of the series and where they are taking their careers now that Whitney is leaving the series behind. Conner revealed that while production on Season 5 is wrapping up, fans won’t be getting a fully fleshed-out season.
Due to a production pause and legal issues, producers have pared the season down considerably. Conner revealed that fans can expect about five episodes. He also noted that interviews, instead of scenes, are being heavily utilized to tie up loose ends.
Why did the season get cut short?
Conner Leavitt’s revelation that Season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives will only contain five episodes is pretty shocking. It will be the shortest season in the show’s history, if accurate. Still, the shortened run is understandable. The turbulent nature of the production clearly required some creativity on the part of producers.
In March, filming for Season 5 was paused after Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, had a physical altercation. The cast asked to step back from filming when the tension between the pair became untenable, and the production team agreed. The cameras began rolling again in April, though Paul’s continued involvement in the season has not been confirmed.
The drama, Whitney’s planned exit, and an unplanned step back from the show have led to big changes for the series that took the streaming service by storm. In fact, fans question whether the MomTok-centered franchise can survive. The upcoming half-season isn’t exactly instilling confidence in viewers.
A season essentially cut in half (Seasons 2 through 4 all featured 10 episodes) and the loss of a central figure raise obvious questions about where the franchise goes next. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives debuted in September 2024 and quickly became one of Hulu’s buzziest unscripted hits. It earned an Emmy nomination after turning a TikTok sex scandal into must-see TV.
Whitney Leavitt, who announced her departure from the series last month, evolved from villain to fan favorite across four seasons. Her decision wasn’t directly influenced by Taylor Frankie Paul’s drama. Still, she does seem ready to see her days on the series come to an end.
No official premiere date has been announced.
