Filming of ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Suspended: Behind-the-Scenes Drama Unveiled

Production of the TV series “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” has apparently been halted as a result of a domestic assault investigation involving one of its prominent stars and her former partner.

The filming of the show’s fifth season on Hulu has reportedly been suspended due to significant issues surrounding Taylor Frankie Paul, a key figure in the series.

According to a source speaking to People, “The filming is currently on hold. Taylor Frankie Paul is dealing with some serious matters from her past, and the future depends on how these are resolved. Until then, production is paused.”

The Draper City Police Department confirmed to the publication that there is an ongoing investigation into a domestic assault involving Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.

A department spokesperson stated, “Allegations have been made by both parties.” They further mentioned that authorities had made contact with those involved on February 24 and 25.

The Daily Mail has contacted Paul, Mortensen, Hulu, ABC and the Draper City Police Department for comment and has yet to hear back.

Season five of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has reportedly been put on pause amid an open domestic assault investigation into Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen

A source has since told Variety that the filming hiatus is temporary, with production expected to resume soon. 

The hiatus will likely not have a major impact on the season five release date. 

The alleged incident also did not happen on camera.

Paul and Dakota have a toddler together, son Ever. Paul also has a daughter, Indy, and a son, Ocean, with ex-husband Tate. 

The incident is not Paul’s first brush with the law. 

In 2023, she was arrested for domestic violence after she allegedly threw chairs at Mortensen, accidentally hitting her five-year-old daughter, Indy, in the head.

Paul ultimately pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, a third-degree felony, and had the other four charges dismissed with prejudice as part of the deal.

She was required to undergo counseling, receive a substance abuse and domestic violence evaluation and not break any further laws.

In a subsequent TikTok, Paul reflected on everything that had happened but remained defiant.

‘I don’t owe anyone an explanation besides the people involved,’ she said. ‘Court is officially over til next year. They’ll just check in and see how I’m doing – if I’m still doing better.’

In 2023 Paul was arrested for domestic violence after she allegedly threw chairs at Mortensen, accidentally hitting her five-year-old daughter Indy in the head

‘As much as I wish that night had [gone] differently, I felt like hitting rock bottom actually helped me in some ways. Made me seek help that I wasn’t getting,’ she added.

Police bodycam footage from the night of the arrest that was obtained by the Daily Mail revealed Paul had allegedly flown into a rage after Mortensen refused to take her to a concert because she was too drunk. 

And when police arrived at the scene in a Salt Lake City suburb, the influencer told them she was so scared she had ‘peed’ herself, the video shows.

Paul was arrested at her home in Herriman, Utah, on misdemeanor charges.

But after Mortensen provided cops with video from his cell phone showing the chair hitting Indy, the charges were upgraded to felony aggravated assault, reckless child abuse and domestic violence in the presence of a child.

Paul rose to fame after becoming embroiled in a ‘soft-swinging’ scandal, which ultimately led to the creation of her Hulu show

The fourth season of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives was recently released

Unclear how the controversy will impact the new season of The Bachelorette, which stars Paul

Two weeks later, the Salt Lake County District Attorney charged Paul with two counts of 3rd degree felony domestic violence in the presence of a child with injury, a Class A misdemeanor of child abuse with injury, and a Class B misdemeanor of criminal mischief. 

If she had been convicted on all charges, she could have faced up to five years in state prison for each of the three felonies. 

Paul was part of a group of Utah couples who indulged in ‘soft swinging’ – a practice where partners are swapped but only with the understanding that they do not have full sex. 

But she caused a sensation when she admitted that she had broken the cardinal rule and ended up losing her husband, Tate, who divorced her, and most of her friends.

It is unclear whether the new investigation will affect the upcoming season of The Bachelorette, which stars Paul. However, Variety reported that the show’s release schedule and press tour will not be impacted.