ABC’s The Golden Bachelor is back for its second season, and the franchise continues to lean into a version of reality dating that trades drama and Instagram followers for something more grounded — real connections between people who’ve lived full lives.

Season two introduces a brand-new lead, builds on a surprisingly emotional first season, and pushes the franchise’s boundaries in fresh directions, especially after their first season of The Golden Bachelorette.

The reveal took place during Hulu’s inaugural Get Real House event, where Disney executives highlighted the network’s expanding unscripted portfolio. ABC states that a premiere date for the new season has not yet been set, but production is expected to begin later this year, with filming once again spanning domestic locations and international destinations. 

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The Golden Bachelor debuted in fall 2023 with Gerry Turner, a 72-year-old widower from Indiana, as its first-ever senior lead. Initially, there was skepticism about whether a show about dating over 60 would land with audiences. That doubt didn’t last long. Season 1 quickly became one of the most-watched and most-discussed installments of the Bachelor franchise in years.

What made it work wasn’t just the novelty — it was the sincerity. Turner, while sometimes awkward, was emotionally open and clearly invested in the process. The women–ranging from 60 to their mid-70s – brought depth, humor, and heartbreak to every episode. They shared stories of long marriages, personal reinvention, grief, and rediscovery in a way that made typical Bachelor storylines seem flat by comparison.

The season ended with a proposal to Theresa Nist, a 70-year-old financial services professional. But in a twist that highlighted the real-world stakes of dating later in life, the couple announced their split just three months later. While disappointing, it wasn’t a scandal — it was a reminder that love is complicated, and that even after a televised fairy tale, real-life logistics matter. Still, the impact of Season One was clear: The Golden Bachelor proved there’s a huge appetite for stories about dating later in life that are authentic, emotional, and unafraid to explore vulnerability.

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Now, The Golden Bachelor returns with a new face: Mel Owens, 66. A former NFL linebacker who played for the Los Angeles Rams, Owens later became a lawyer and built a successful second career specializing in sports injury law. He’s a father, a Michigan grad, and someone who seems to genuinely want a partner — not just a spotlight. Owens has been candid about the challenges in his life, including the death of his father and raising his two sons after a divorce. He’s not here to chase clout, he’s here to meet someone who understands what it means to start over with intention.

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In early interviews, Owens has struck a confident but thoughtful tone. He seems comfortable in his own skin and open to finding a real connection, which is exactly what fans have come to value from this version of the franchise.

He exclusively told PEOPLE that stepping into the spotlight as season two's Golden Bachelor feels “great,” admitting “it’s been 24 hours of craziness” since the April 22 reveal at Hulu’s Get Real House event.

He laughed that it was his son’s offhand suggestion: “Yeah, Dad, you should be the Bachelor,” followed by “But you should be the real one though”— that prompted his application, and he’s now “looking for” the day-to-day companionship he misses most.

Many fans expected the franchise to choose someone from Joan Vassos' Golden Bachelorette season, like fan-favorite Charles L. The 66-year-old, originally from China, charmed viewers with his humor and heart, quickly becoming a standout.

Still, some fans are embracing the fresh pick, with one writing, "Wait, this is the second season of The Golden Bachelor, and it's another person not from the previous season – it's a fresh new face; I like it!" Social media lit up with mixed reactions, but one thing's for sure…fans are locked in and ready to watch another golden love story unfold.

Photo Credit: @thegoldenbach on Instagram.