ABC Chooses Second Black ‘Bachelor’ for Season 29

The Bachelor has unveiled its next lead.

Grant Ellis, a former contestant from the current season of The Bachelorette, has been chosen to distribute roses for the 29th season of ABC’s popular reality dating show.

The announcement came on Monday night during the latest episode of The Bachelorette, starring Jenn Tran. Tran’s season is enjoying a viewership of 2.38 million same-day viewers, marking a 15 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Ellis, who was ousted in the sixth week of Tran’s journey, is a former pro basketball player and a day trader from New Jersey. According to ABC’s release, he is “eager to embark on a journey filled with romance, adventure and genuine connections. He hopes to find a partner who shares his values of loyalty, humor and a deep appreciation for life’s simple pleasures.”

The casting of Ellis represents another step towards diversity for the long-standing series. The show has been addressing its diversity issues, which were notably spotlighted during its 25th season featuring the first Black Bachelor, Matt James, in 2021.

With Rachel Lindsay being the first Black Bachelorette in her 2017 season, followed by Michelle Young in 2021 and Charity Lawson last year, the franchise has made strides towards inclusivity. Jenn Tran is currently making history as the franchise’s first Asian American lead.

“It’s taken a lot of work to get back to a place where we feel at least we’re working for the positive,” franchise executive producer Bennett Graebner shared with the Los Angeles Times.

The Bachelor will return in 2025 on ABC and Hulu, though no premiere date has been announced yet.

The next series in the Bachelor franchise will be The Golden Bachelorette, which features 61-year-old Joan Vassos seeking love from September 18th. Vassos leads the first senior spinoff with a Bachelorette, following the debut of The Golden Bachelor with Gerry Turner, which significantly boosted the franchise’s ratings. Vassos had exited The Golden Bachelor in the third week due to a medical emergency involving her daughter.

A recent promo showcased Vassos, whose husband passed away from pancreatic cancer after 32 years of marriage, cherishing moments with her family before beginning her season. “I’m very picky about a man being a gentleman,” she shared with her loved ones. “Somebody with a big heart, somebody who is generous, and also somebody who is humble.”

Additionally, the summer spinoff series Bachelor in Paradise is set to return for its 10th season in 2025.

The Bachelor is produced by Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in collaboration with Warner Horizon. Claire Freeland, Bennett Graebner, Tim Warner, and Peter Gust serve as executive producers.