Bachelor in Paradise Makes a Triumphant Return in 2023: Season 9 Cast and Premiere Date Revealed

Almost paradise! Bachelor Nation fan favorites are headed back to Mexico for Bachelor in Paradise season 9.

A whole new batch of Bachelor and Bachelorette alums are set to spend summer 2023 at Playa Escondida in Sayulita, Mexico, for a second (third for some) chance at love.

Are there possible engagements on the horizon? Some of the hopeful singles have already shared they’re falling for each other!

Yes, the fan-favorite Bachelor Nation spinoff series is set to return for a ninth season.

Last year, during season 8, two couples left the beach engaged, Victoria Fuller and Johnny DePhillipo and Brandon Jones and Serene Russell. Both have since called it quits since their romantic proposals aired.

ABC has yet to announce a full cast just yet. However, it’s safe to assume that some of the men from Charity Lawson‘s current Bachelorette season will make an appearance on the beach.

Brayden Bowers, the villain of Charity’s season, is confirmed to appear on Paradise and will embark on a love journey with Kat Izzo from Zach Shallcross’ season of The Bachelor.

Host Jesse Palmer shared a short clip of the spinoff’s upcoming season during the Men Tell All episode on August 14, giving fans a taste of what to expect this upcoming season.

In the footage, Kat admits that she “loves” Bayden’s “golden retriever energy,” while he claimed he “can see spending” his “life with” the fellow registered nurse.

Former Bachelorette star Rachel Recchia has also been teasing a possible appearance.

“I don’t know,” Rachel teased while appearing on Kaitlyn Bristowe‘s “Off the Vine” podcast in April 2023 alongside her real-life roommate, Genevieve Parisi. “Something to think about in the future. Maybe. I mean, I’m still in the same spot. So, who knows.”

She continued, “If I ever went to Paradise, I would have to go down just like completely open-minded. I would have to really go down and be like I’m [going to] talk to whoever and give them a chance … even though everyone there would probably [already be] my ex-boyfriend.”

Rachel left her season of The Bachelorette engaged to Tino Franco. They split before the season 19 finale aired after admitted to cheating on her amid their engagement. If she heads to the beach, Rachel could possibly be reunited with her runner-up, Aven Jones, who reportedly will be traveling to Mexico for the summer, too. Will these two pick up where they left off? Eager franchise fans will have to wait and see.

Some stars have confirmed that they won’t be hitting the beach, however, including former leads Clayton Echard and Katie Thurston. While responding to Instagram followers’ questions, Katie said in response to if she’d be in Mexico, “There are enough leads going,” hinting that some fan-favorites could be back.

Of course, there are some franchise stars that some fans will be groaning over. Blake Moynes, who appeared on Clare Crawley and Tayshia Adams‘ season of The Bachelorette and got engaged to Katie at the end of her season, is reportedly heading to the beach.

Jesse will return to the beach to host the show once again and exclusively told Life & Style that possible “love squares” will form on the white sand beach.

“It has been a very active beach – lots of movement. I think there were times last season where couples established really early and then [contestants] just rode the season through this year. There’s a lot of this going on,” the retired NFL star told Life & Style in June. “I would have a board with faces and a marker and, and that you can erase and just every week you’re gonna have to reshuffle your board because it’s a lot to keep track of.”

The upcoming season will premiere on Thursday, September 28, from 9-11 p.m. ET. This season, fans will get their Bachelor Nation fix as Bachelor in Paradise ​will air right after The Golden Bachelor, which ​also premieres on September 28 at 8 p.m. ET.