‘Married at First Sight’ being investigated over ‘inappropriate content’ allegations

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The Married at First Sight franchise is taking another hit after its Australian version was revealed to be under police investigation.

New South Wales Police launched a probe following a report filed on Aug. 24 of “inappropriate content being shared,” with the matter since being referred to the Western Australia Police Force, a spokesperson told the BBC.

A male cast member on the current season made the formal complaint to police after producers allegedly shared private information about him with his on-screen bride, according to industry news website TV Blackbox.

New South Wales’ “strict revenge porn laws” are “an important part of the story,” the site reported, with its sources noting the accusations involve the cast member and an ex-girlfriend.

More ‘serious and disturbing’ matters

This comes after a BBC News investigation earlier this year into the show revealed cast members said they had not been told their partners had previous drug and violence convictions.

The reality show received a warning from Australia’s media watchdog, calling the revelations “serious and disturbing,” according to the outlet.

In May, three former female contestants from the U.K. edition accused their on-screen husbands of rape and sexual misconduct in a BBC Panorama documentary.

The three men denied the allegations, but just over a month later, London Metropolitan Police arrested a male cast member on suspicion of rape, the BBC reported.

Neither the arrested man, who remains out on bail, nor the alleged victim has been named amid the ongoing investigation.

‘Aware’ of the investigation

MAFS UK and MAFS Australia are produced by different companies.

Married at First Sight follows single strangers agreeing to “marry” each other after meeting for the first time at the altar.

The marriages are not legally binding, but viewers see the couples go on their married journey, from the honeymoon to moving in with one another and navigating life together — all while cameras document their day-to-day.

Channel Nine, the broadcaster of Married at First Sight: Australia, confirmed to the outlet that it was “aware of a police investigation” involving the show’s production company, Endemol Shine Australia.

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