"A little unsettled”— The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On creator Chris Coelen reflects on Dave, Vanessa, Micah, and Chanel’s departure 

The third season of Netflix's The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On, aired on December 4, 2024. It took an unexpected turn when four cast members—Dave Adams, Vanessa Hattaway, Micah Hardeman, and Chanel Watkins—abruptly exited the show midway through the season.

Their departure during the trial marriage phase left fans and participants alike searching for answers. Series creator Chris Coelen clarified in an interview with The Variety on the premiere day, that the exits were rooted in discomfort and unease that had surfaced during the pairing phase. Reflecting on the situation, Coelen stated,

“My understanding and impression was that people within that group were a little unsettled.”

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Mid-season exits shake up The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On season 3

What led to the departures?

The departures took place during the trial marriage phase, an integral part of The Ultimatum's format. In this phase, participants temporarily live with new partners chosen during a selection process known as “The Choice.” However, the process proved too challenging for some.

Dave Adams, Vanessa Hattaway, Micah Hardeman, and Chanel Watkins secretly met off-camera and ultimately decided to leave the experiment together. Coelen revealed that the producers were initially informed of doubts by Dave and Chanel shortly after “The Choice.” He explained,

“They snuck around. As a group, they secretly met. And listen, they’re adults. We don’t put restrictions on what people do or don’t do.”

Despite the producers’ efforts to support the participants and provide a transparent and challenging experience, the four cast members felt compelled to leave The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On.

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How the show handled the exits

The sudden departures significantly impacted the show’s dynamics, leaving their trial partners without a match. For instance, Mariah Zernick and Nick Tramontin returned to their shared apartments to find that their respective partners, Micah and Vanessa, had packed up and left without a farewell.

Chris Coelen emphasized that The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On’s structure aims to support participants while allowing them the freedom to make their own decisions. He stated,

“We’re interested in the story, regardless of how it develops. But it was very clear they wanted to leave. And we’re always going to be supportive of that.”

Despite the challenges caused by the exits, the production team opted not to forcefully rearrange the remaining participants into new pairings. Coelen explained,

“The whole point of the dating week is for them to really choose — themselves — someone that they think has the qualities of someone that they could potentially marry.”

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Potential adjustments for future seasons

The unexpected mid-season departures prompted discussions about possible changes to the show’s format. Coelen addressed the complexities of creating an environment where participants fully engage with the process.

While no binding restrictions exist to prevent such exits on The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On, future modifications are under consideration.

These could include providing participants with restricted communication tools like “burner phones” or housing them in separate living arrangements. However, Coelen acknowledged the challenges of enforcing such changes, noting,

“It’s a balance, because we want them to have a real experience...Wherever we put them, they can always get to each other, even if it’s virtually.”

Additionally, the departures have prompted reflection on the emotional demands placed on cast members. Coelen remarked,

“Some people are very conflict-averse. For some, it’s really face-to-face emotion. That’s something that this process really calls for — to examine the things that are important to you.”

Of the four participants who left the show, Dave Adams and Vanessa Hattaway returned for the reunion, which was filmed recently. Chanel Watkins and Micah Hardeman chose not to participate. Coelen noted that all participants are invited to the reunion, whether they complete the experiment or not.

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The next three episodes of The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On drop on Netflix on December 11, with the highly anticipated finale and reunion streaming on December 18.