Sam Hartman is the next star of The Bachelor.
ABC made the announcement on Good Morning America on Friday morning, surprising fans of the long-running reality dating series after a hiatus for the franchise.
“I’m excited but also very nervous,” Hartman said in his first interview. “I have a tough time holding conversation with one girl — 30 is going to be pretty tough.”
The Bachelor last wrapped its 29th season, starring Grant Ellis, on March 24, 2025. The overall franchise took an extended break following that fall’s Bachelor in Paradise, however, due to the last-minute cancellation of Taylor Frankie Paul‘s 22nd season of The Bachelorette, which had been planned to premiere in March 2026, but was pulled from the schedule after videos resurfaced of an alleged domestic incident.
Hartman’s casting marks the fifth athlete to lead The Bachelor (Mel Owens also starred on The Golden Bachelor), but the first to be a current athlete while starring on the dating show. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native, plays for the NFL’s Washington Commanders. The Wake Forest and Notre Dame alum holds ACC records, including for most career touchdown passes and 300-yard passing games.
He’s also a fan-favorite from the documentary series QB1: Beyond the Lights and a “charismatic heartthrob who is ready to find a win off the field,” says ABC.
There is no news yet on the returns of The Bachelorette, Golden Bachelor(ette) and/or Bachelor in Paradise.
The Bachelor is produced by Warner Horizon Unscripted Television, a Warner Bros. Television Group company. Scott Teti, Jason Ehrlich and Andy Frank serve as executive producers.
