The series is also making the move from Lifetime to Peacock for the upcoming new season.

*Married at First Sight *loses 3 familiar faces ahead of season 20

The series is also making the move from Lifetime to Peacock for the upcoming new season.

By Shania Russell

Shania Russell

Shania Russell is a news writer at *, *with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine.

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January 6, 2026 5:49 p.m. ET

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Pastor Cal Roberson; Dr. Pia Holec; Dr. Pepper Schwartz. Credit:

*Married at First Sight *is kicking off its 20th season with a major change.

On Tuesday, Peacock announced that the show's current slate of experts — Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Pastor Cal Roberson and Dr. Pia Holec — will not return for season 20. The series will instead welcome three new experts.

"We’re thrilled to be embarking on a brand new chapter of the *MAFS* journey with our partners at Peacock. We’re excited for the future and honored to have worked alongside Dr. Pepper, Pastor Cal, and Dr. Pia," Kinetic founder and CEO Chris Coelen said in a statement to *Variety*. “Dr. Pepper has been with us from the beginning and Pastor Cal joined us shortly thereafter; their unwavering wisdom, insight, and passion has been a guiding light for us throughout the seasons.”

Together, the three experts guide the show's couples as they go from single strangers to newlyweds approaching Decision Day, when they decide whether or not to stay married. Schwartz, a sociologist, has been with the show since its 2014 debut while marriage counselor Roberson joined in 2016 and Holec, an intimacy and relationship specialist, joined the show later in 2022.

** has reached out to *Married at First Sight *for further comment.

Pastor Cal Roberson on 'Married at First Sight'.

In a statement shared with *Variety*, Schwartz called her time with the show "one of the most meaningful chapters of my professional life."

She added, "As I step away, I do so with immense pride in what this franchise has accomplished and deep confidence in its future. I leave this post with gratitude and optimism, knowing that the foundation we’ve built will continue to evolve and inspire. I’m excited to move on to new projects, carrying with me the lessons, relationships, and memories from this incredible experience."

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Schwartz additionally thanked the show's crew and her fellow experts, before sharing a message to the singles and couples who have appeared on the show. "Thank you for your openness, bravery, and willingness to take an extraordinary leap of faith," she said. "Allowing yourselves to be seen in such a vulnerable way is no small thing, and it has been a privilege to walk alongside you during such a pivotal moment in your lives."

Pastor Cal echoed this sentiment in his own statement, writing, "I want to thank every single person brave enough to sign up for *MAFS*. You allowed me into some of the most sacred moments of your lives, and I never took that lightly. Your courage, honesty, and willingness to believe in the process reminded me time and again why this work matters. Thank you for trusting us with your love stories."

Dr. Pia Holec on 'Married at First Sight'.

He added, "As I step away, I do so with a full heart; grateful for the journey, proud of what we built together, and hopeful for what lies ahead for this franchise. I am passing the torch with love and faith, believing the work will continue to touch lives in powerful ways. This is not goodbye; it’s a new, exciting chapter. I’m elated about the doors God is already opening, and forever thankful for the seasons we shared."

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Dr. Holec also expressed pride for her work on the show, adding, "I genuinely loved my time on *Married at First Sight*, and working alongside franchise OGs turned friends, like Dr. Pepper and Pastor Cal. I’m proud of the time we’ve spent with each person who so bravely took this step in finding love."

She also noted that she is exiting to prioritize time with family in addition to "focusing on my clinical work and educational projects centered on mental health, interpersonal relationships, and intimacy."

*Married at First Sight *is moving from Lifetime to Peacock for its upcoming season, which is set to debut in 2026.

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