has revealed its next lead. Grant Ellis, a former contestant from the current season of , has been picked to hand out roses for the 29th season of ABC’s hit reality dating series. The news was announced on Monday night at the end of the latest episode with star Jenn Tran, whose season is averaging 2.
38 million same-day viewers, up about 15 percent from the same time last year. Ellis was eliminated in the sixth week of Tran’s journey. Now the former pro basketball player and day trader from New Jersey 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,” per ABC’s release. Ellis’ casting marks another diverse lead in the long-running reality series. The producers behind the hit franchise the show’s diversity issues, which came to a head during the 25th season that starred the first-ever Black Bachelor, Matt James, and aired in 2021.
Following Rachel Lindsay as the franchise’s first Black lead with her 2017 season of , Michelle Young, in 2021, and Charity Lawson, last year, have brought more inclusivity to the female-led franchise. Tran is currently starring as the franchise’s . “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 told the .
will return in 2025 on ABC and Hulu. A premiere date has yet.