Jesse Palmer isn’t saying goodbye to The Bachelorette just yet. “The good news is I know it’s not going away. I know it’s definitely coming back,” Palmer, 46, shared during the Tuesday, February 11, episode of the Playing the Field podcast.
“Without being able to get into too much of the creative decisions on it, I know that when it does, I just think it’s going to be absolutely tremendous.”
His comments come recently confirmed that ABC will not be airing a new season of the hit dating show this summer, as it traditionally premieres around July.
While the network hasn’t officially canceled The Bachelorette, Us has learned that it’s unlikely to return in 2025—though the possibility remains open.
Why The Bachelorette Is on Hold
Addressing the unexpected break, Palmer admitted he couldn’t reveal too much about the network’s decision.
“I can’t get too far in depth with a lot of the creative decisions that went into that,” he told podcast hosts Ryan Field, Jen Matarese, and Gina Sirico. “I know it’s not unprecedented for The Bachelorette not to air in the summer.”
Jesse Palmer (Photo: Getty Images)Indeed, the franchise has shifted schedules before—Michelle Young’s Bachelorette season premiered in October 2021, while Clare Crawley and Tayshia Adams’ shared season debuted in October 2020.
Still, Palmer confessed he’s “a little bit bummed” that fans won’t get a new season as soon as expected.
Palmer’s Passion for the Show
Despite the delay, Palmer remains enthusiastic about his role on The Bachelorette.
“I always love my interactions on that show with the lead,” he explained. “I love getting to meet a whole brand-new cast, and I love being there to help guide people towards hopefully finding everlasting love on the show.”
While fans await the return of The Bachelorette, ABC has already confirmed that Bachelor in Paradise will be back this summer. Meanwhile, The Bachelor, featuring Grant Ellis, continues airing its latest season.
The Future of the Franchise
Palmer reassured fans that the franchise as a whole is thriving, pointing to its continued evolution with shows like The Golden Bachelor and The Golden Bachelorette.
“I feel really, really good with where the franchise is as a whole right now,” he shared. “There’s just so much that I think the franchise is offering in a variety [of ways] and so much diversity in a lot of different ways.”
While acknowledging how special it has been to see past stars like Charity Lawson, JoJo Fletcher, and Trista Sutter find lasting love, Palmer is confident that the show’s return will be worth the wait.
“Once it does come back, I know Bachelor Nation will be really excited,” he said. “I think Bachelor Nation as a whole is constantly evolving.”
When to Watch
Grant Ellis’ season of The Bachelor is currently airing on ABC, Mondays at 8 p.m. ET.