Channel Nine's Married at First Sight appears to be setting out to diversify in 2025.
An insider close to the ratings juggernaut has revealed that the show's producers are 'actively' pursuing applicants who identify as transgender.
And contestants are already being questioned on whether they would be willing to be matched with gender neutral partners as part of the experiment.
A source interviewed by Yahoo Lifestyle said that MAFS Australia are out to diversity after producers in the UK version of the show cast Elle Morgan, who identifies as transgender.
Morgan entered the experiment as a bride in 2023 which stimulated massive media attention as a result, the insider said.
![Channel Nine's Married at First Sight appears to be setting out to diversify in 2025. An insider close to the ratings juggernaut has revealed that the show's producers are 'actively' pursuing applicants who identify as transgender. Pictured: experts John Aiken, Mel Schilling and sexologist Alessandra Rampolla](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/23/10/85240041-13450805-Channel_Nine_s_Married_at_First_Sight_appears_to_be_setting_out_-a-45_1716456359113.jpg)
Channel Nine's Married at First Sight appears to be setting out to diversify in 2025. An insider close to the ratings juggernaut has revealed that the show's producers are 'actively' pursuing applicants who identify as transgender. Pictured: experts John Aiken, Mel Schilling and sexologist Alessandra Rampolla
![Contestants are being questioned on whether they would be willing to be matched with gender neutral partners as part of the experiment. Pictured: MAFS couple Michael Felix and Stephen Stewart](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/23/10/85240021-13450805-Contestants_are_being_questioned_on_whether_they_would_be_willin-a-44_1716456358947.jpg)
Contestants are being questioned on whether they would be willing to be matched with gender neutral partners as part of the experiment. Pictured: MAFS couple Michael Felix and Stephen Stewart
'Producers are now under immense pressure to raise the bar on our version to keep the format fresh,' the source claimed.
The casting process for the new season also asks applicants on whether they identify as non-binary and transgender.
Applicants have also been asked about their 'same-sex' experiences and whether they have had any cosmetic surgery.
The insider said that producers are also pressing applicants on intimate details, including whether they would engage in sex same experiences during filming - no matter their own gender identity.
MAFS Australia has featured three same sex couples to date - Michael Felix and Stephen Stewart, Craig Roach and Andy John and Amanda Micallef and Tash Herz.
![MAFS Australia has featured three same sex couples to date - Michael Felix and Stephen Stewart, Craig Roach and Andy John (pictured) and Amanda Micallef and Tash Herz](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/23/10/85240003-13450805-The_show_s_past_records_with_LGBTQ_representation_meanwhile_have-a-46_1716456359114.jpg)
MAFS Australia has featured three same sex couples to date - Michael Felix and Stephen Stewart, Craig Roach and Andy John (pictured) and Amanda Micallef and Tash Herz
![The experiment featured its first lesbian couple in 2020. Pictured: Amanda Micallef and Tash Herz](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/23/10/73366201-13450805-The_experiment_featured_its_first_lesbian_couple_Amanda_Micallef-a-47_1716456359114.jpg)
The experiment featured its first lesbian couple in 2020. Pictured: Amanda Micallef and Tash Herz
lExpert Mel Schilling has previously confessed to the experiment's shortcomings in representing LGBTQ+ relationships.
'For us, it was really important to find people who genuinely wanted to find love. We didn't want to simply match people based on sexual orientation,' she told Metro last year.
Schilling admitted that the Australian series 'got that horribly wrong' in the early seasons, suggesting that 'great lessons' could be gleaned from the experience.
Back in 2019, a spokesman for Nine told Daily Mail Australia that they hadn't included a same-sex couple due to the limited number of applications from gay singles.
'Unfortunately, we didn't feel there was a good enough match, and we didn't want to include a gay couple just for the sake of appearances,' they said.
![A source interviewed by Yahoo Lifestyle said that MAFS Australia are out to diversity after producers in the UK version of the show in 2023 cast Elle Morgan who identifies as transgender. Ellie is pictured with groom Nathanial Valentino](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/23/10/85240043-13450805-A_source_interviewed_by_Yahoo_Lifestyle_said_that_MAFS_Australia-a-48_1716456359323.jpg)
A source interviewed by Yahoo Lifestyle said that MAFS Australia are out to diversity after producers in the UK version of the show in 2023 cast Elle Morgan who identifies as transgender. Ellie is pictured with groom Nathanial Valentino
While the show received a staggering 10,000 applications from heterosexual singles, only about 20 came from gay singles.
The following year, the experiment featured its first lesbian couple, with Amanda Micallef and Tash Herz tying the knot.
In 2016, MAFS Australia welcomed its first gay couple, Craig Roach and Andy John, which didn't go as planned.
This new season is expected to push the boundaries like never before and feature the most diverse cast yet, Daily Mail Australia can reveal.