The Bachelor franchise is back soon with Grant Ellis, a fan-favorite from Jenn Tran’s season of The Bachelorette, now stepping into the lead role. Known for his calm demeanor and genuine approach, Ellis is poised to lead the 29th season of the ABC reality dating competition. But a question hangs in the air: can a self-professed “nice guy” truly deliver the drama that keeps viewers hooked?
Ellis’s time on The Bachelorette painted him as the antithesis of conflict. He was eliminated just before hometown visits, despite his admission to Tran that he was falling in love. “He had a charming smile and a penchant for staying away from the drama,” noted one observer. This persona raises an interesting question for his time in the lead, will he change or remain the same? His casting has already created a narrative of whether he is too nice to be a compelling lead.
The producers, perhaps aware of this, appear to have made a calculated move. They wisely decided to announce Ellis as the Bachelor while casting was still underway. This should ensure the women vying for his affection are familiar with him from the start, potentially circumventing the well-worn trope of contestants initially drawn to a particular lead, and avoiding the type of manufactured drama that often accompanies the start of the season.
However, Ellis’s easy-going nature might not be enough to subdue the show’s inherent capacity for conflict. Will he be forced to break hearts and confront difficult behavior despite his aversion to confrontation? While the expectation is for a balanced mix of both romance and drama, the underlying question remains: can Ellis’s temperament truly change the format of The Bachelor?
Even the show’s trademark exotic travel could become secondary, if the interpersonal drama fails to spark. While the locations, often acting as aspirational destinations, are always a draw, they are typically the backdrop for romantic clashes. Will the tropical backdrops be enough if interpersonal conflict remains low?
