Nine’s perennially controversial reality TV show Married At First Sight is embroiled in another scandal following a complaint to police regarding the sharing of inappropriate material.
A complaint was made to NSW Police in August this year prompting an investigation by the South Sydney Police Area Command.
Details of the investigation are scant, but a NSW Police spokesperson confirmed the allegations related to “inappropriate content” being shared.
Police in Sydney made inquiries and will refer the matter to WA Police. It is understood that referral is yet to be made.
According to local reports, private information about a male participant — allegedly shared by his former partner — was obtained and shared by producers to his new “bride” during filming of the show’s upcoming season, set to air in 2027.
The nature of the inappropriate material remains unclear, but under WA law, the sharing of intimate images without consent can attract a prison sentence of up to three years or a fine of up to $18,000.
Married At First Sight pairs two strangers who meet on their “wedding day” and are then placed in a social experiment where they are filmed living together, going on honeymoons and meeting each other’s families.
The show is made for Nine by production company EndemolShine Australia. A spokeswoman for Nine confirmed the police investigation.
“We are aware of a police investigation involving EndemolShine Australia and all enquiries should be directed to them,” the network said.
It is understood Nine is not involved and has not been contacted by police about the matter. Representatives at EndemolShine Australia could not be reached and did not respond to a request for comment.
Married At First Sight is a ratings juggernaut for the network but has been mired in controversy through the years.
Safework NSW conducted investigations into the show’s workplace safety in 2025 and issued three improvement notices.
This year another Safework investigation took place into psychosocial concerns on the program.
Just months ago, two female contestants were allegedly sexually assaulted during filming for MAFS UK. A third woman also claimed she was involved in a non-consensual act.
All three women’s on-screen partners have denied the allegations.
Former Married At First Sight Australia contestant Tahnee Cook has also previously spoken out about pressure from producers to be intimate with her “groom”, being provided with sex toys and being forced to take part in a couple swap as part of the show.
“Given the nature of the show, you do feel the pressure to … progress quite quickly in the relationship, whether that is intimacy, whether that is connecting with that person,” she told the ABC’s 7.30.
“We had to do this awful tantric sex workshop, which thankfully never got aired … but it was these weird breathing exercises.
“I had to lie on the floor, and my husband was putting the feather around me in front of the instructors, the production. I hated it. It was really uncomfortable.”
Season 14 of Married At First Sight is scheduled to air in 2027.