Producers have threatened to lock down the new cast of Married At First Sight after filming for the upcoming season of the Channel Nine show got out of control.

Daily Mail can also reveal the cast of the 2026 series will, for the first time in the show’s history, be subjected to weekly drug tests during filming – with any participant who returns a positive result immediately booted off the experiment.

The bombshell new measure comes after the cast enjoyed a rogue weekend earlier this month, where several participants broke curfew.

‘Production has every reason to be p**sed off,’ one insider told Daily Mail.

‘The night in question completely blew up – cast members disappeared, fights broke out and one couple is already in turmoil.’

The latest crackdown comes after bosses imposed a strict curfew on the 2025 cast after several participants were labelled ‘disrespectful’ and ‘selfish’ for vanishing mid-shoot.

Producers have threatened to lock down the new cast of Married At First Sight after filming for the upcoming season of the Channel Nine show got out of control. (Pictured: Gia Fleur and Scott McCristal)

Daily Mail can also reveal the cast of the 2026 series will, for the first time in the show’s history, be subjected to weekly drug tests during filming – with any participant who returns a positive result immediately booted off the experiment

At the time, contestants were ordered back in their apartments by 10pm on weeknights and 11pm on weekends – only for those times to be moved forward to 8pm Fridays and Sundays and 9pm on Saturdays..

An explosive leaked email from production expressed ‘utter disappointment’ in the cast’s disregard for the crew, warning that their hotel key cards would be deactivated after curfew unless they informed their associate producer to let them in.

‘The complete disrespect to this production’s guidelines, as well as to my crew and their weekend, means these changes will be enforced,’ the furious note read.

Contestants subsequently slammed the restrictions as ‘complete b*****t’ and ‘not fair.’

Now, with new EP Kate Paul at the helm while long-time producer Alex Spurway is on maternity leave, those curfews have been tightened once again.

Runaway bride

Daily Mail can exclusively reveal one standout bride has already dramatically quit the experiment just days into filming.

Described as a ‘standout bride with looks and attitude to match,’ she abruptly booked herself a one-way flight home after clashing with crew.

The bombshell new measure comes after the cast enjoyed a rogue weekend earlier this month, where several participants broke curfew

‘Production has every reason to be p**sed off,’ one insider told Daily Mail. ‘The night in question completely blew up – cast members disappeared, fights broke out and one couple is already in turmoil’

With new EP Kate Paul at the helm while long-time producer Alex Spurway is on maternity leave, those curfews have been tightened once again

Daily Mail can exclusively reveal one standout bride has already dramatically quit the experiment just days into filming

‘She was actually getting along with her groom, but hated being bossed around,’ a source told Daily Mail.

‘The pressure and the money she was losing by filming just wasn’t worth it. She was promised all these opportunities on the back of the show, but instead she just booked a ticket home despite them saying no.’

Producers begged her to stay, promising opportunities down the track, but she refused.

‘She’s stunning, outspoken and fearless – a total standout,’ the insider added.

‘Viewers will be shocked. She’s the kind of bride who leaves a lasting impact, even after walking.’

Dinner party drama

The infamous dinner parties are already living up to their reputation.

‘Bosses stormed onto set and told them to deliver or face filming until sunrise. And they delivered,’ the source dished.

The infamous dinner parties are already living up to their reputation. ‘Bosses stormed onto set and told them to deliver or face filming until sunrise. And they delivered,’ the source dished

‘The pressure on the remaining cast is enormous,’ an insider said

‘The latest dinner party wrapped in record time, but left the experts speechless.’

Meanwhile, at least two new intruder couples are also set to be introduced into the experiment this week, deliberately cast to stir the pot after several participants either quit or were axed.

‘The pressure on the remaining cast is enormous,’ an insider said.

Bride left high and dry

Another shock twist has seen cricket presenter Ankita Karungalekar left stranded after her groom, finance broker Micah Lomu  was abruptly kicked off the show following an internal investigation around an incident.

Daily Mail can reveal Ankita will not be given a second chance, despite expectations that failed couples would get re-matched as seen with Eliot Donovan and Lauren Hall last year.

‘Kate Paul made it very clear to the whole cast – there are no second chances this year,’ a source explained.

Micah has denied any wrongdoing, but both he and Ankita were told they were ‘no longer required on set’ and did not attend the season’s first dinner party, filmed on August 5.

Insiders say Ankita told producers she was ‘100 per cent safe, happy and comfortable’ to continue – but the fairytale crumbled in days.

Another shock twist has seen cricket presenter Ankita Karungalekar left stranded after her groom, finance broker Micah Lomu was abruptly kicked off the show following an internal investigation around an incident

Relationship expert John Aiken says viewers should brace for fireworks. ‘This year’s brides are fearless – they will call people out, and that’s going to make for some very fiery dinner parties,’ he told Daily Mail last month

A season of egos

Relationship expert John Aiken says viewers should brace for fireworks.

‘This year’s brides are fearless – they will call people out, and that’s going to make for some very fiery dinner parties,’ he told Daily Mail last month.

He added that some cast members bring a ‘TikTok dating style’ – fast, online and unapologetically unfiltered.

‘There’s more cultural diversity and personalities who completely break the mould,’ he said.

‘They’re authentic – sometimes that makes them controversial, but it also makes them relatable.’

According to one production insider: ‘This year’s cast are treating it like the Olympics of drama. If you thought last season was bad, you haven’t seen anything yet.’

Married At First Sight returns to Channel Nine in 2026.

MAFS 2026: Meet the cast

Meet the brides and grooms set to walk down the aisle on Married At First Sight Australia season 13:

Gia Fleur

Steve Powell

Rebecca Zukowski

Melissa Akbay

Alissa Fay

Grayson McIvor

Filip Gregov

Rebecca ‘Bec’ Zacharia

Danny Hewitt

Scott McCristal

Brook Crompton

Luke Fourniotis

 Julia Vogl

Chris Nield