Married at First Sight: A Cheating Scandal-Turned-Couple Swap Spices Things Up in Season 18 — Meet the Cast! (Exclusive)

Things are heating up on the newest season of Married at First Sight!

PEOPLE can exclusively reveal that the Lifetime reality show is set to return for season 18 on Tuesday, Oct, 15, following 10 Chicago-based singles willing to put love to the ultimate test by marrying a complete stranger.

After meeting their spouse for the first time at the altar, embarking on their honeymoon and moving in together, the couples must decide after eight weeks whether they're in their marriage for the long haul or if divorce is the best route.

While twists and turns are commonplace on Married at First Sight — who could forget Michael being left at the altar in season 17? — season 18 promises even more drama. According to a synopsis from Lifetime, an unprecedented cheating scandal will lead to a couple swap, "which is sure to leave viewers speechless."

Below, meet the five season 18 couples — Karla and Juan, Camille and Thomas, Madison and Allen, David and Michelle, and Emem and Ikechi — hoping to find their forever love.

Karla and Juan

Juan, 36

He feels that many women view him as a piece of meat instead of marriage material based on his good looks. The Married at First Sight process appeals to him because through this unique format, his character will be the primary focal point, and he’s ready for a marriage with deep connection.

Karla, 33

Karla has worked hard to heal unhealthy patterns and behaviors and is now moving forward with a loving mindset. She’s ready for a partner who complements her in every way and one with whom she can build a happy family, just like the one she grew up in. She is excited to participate in Married At First Sight because she believes in following her heart and is open-minded about finding love in an unconventional way.

Camille and Thomas

Thomas, 42

Motivated by witnessing the joy it brings his twin, Thomas is ready to embrace marriage. His previous relationship, spanning nine years, came to an end due to his reluctance to commit. He’s since focused on personal growth and realized that he often overanalyzes before taking action. Ready for a fresh approach, he sees Married at First Sight as an opportunity to leap into marriage before overthinking the decision.

Camille, 32

Camille has established stability in her career and is now looking to plan for her long-term future. She is ready to leave her independent days behind and is excited to find a husband with whom she can build a life. As a fan of Married At First Sight, she appreciates how the process removes the guesswork around men’s intentions. She trusts the experts to guide her through the experience and hopes to find her match in this process.

Madison and Allen

Allen, 35

Allen feels his genuine nature, vulnerability, and unwavering commitment to making a relationship thrive makes him an ideal candidate for the Married At First Sight process, and he hopes to walk away from the experience with a wife to share his love and life with.

Madison, 29 

Single now for two and a half years and approaching age 30, Madison has gained a better understanding of herself and is ready to find her soulmate. She views the Married At First Sight experiment as a way to avoid wasting more time and risking more potential heartbreak from the dating scene. She’s never been more ready to start this next adventure!

David and Michelle

David, 35

Inspired by his parent’s successful marriage, David aspires to find the love of his life through the Married at First Sight experiment. After learning from past relationships and discovering his individuality, he feels prepared for the commitment of marriage. With contentment and self-confidence, he believes the experts can broaden his perspective and guide him toward a fulfilling relationship.

Michelle, 38

Michelle unequivocally knows she is ready for marriage, and is eager to find her soulmate in the Married At First Sight experiment after being single for the past six years. Although Michelle is open to having children, she would consider adopting or fostering due to her age.

Emem and Ikechi

Ikechi, 41

Having met the experts in Houston in 2020, Ikechi hopes Married At First Sight can find his soul mate this time around. The fact that his career prospects led him to Chicago at this particular time feels kismet. He’s done the work to figure out who he is and what he wants, and though he’s had some long- term relationships and dated some amazing women, the connection was never quite there. He looks forward to finding his true love in this process and feels he’s been ready for marriage with the woman he’s meant to be with for quite some time. 

Emem, 34

Now that she has established herself professionally and found her voice, Emem is ready to find a partner and start the next chapter of her life. She is not interested in wasting time dating around. Married At First Sight is an opportunity she’s unwilling to pass up. As an open-minded person, Emem feels this experiment could be the perfect fit.

Like in seasons past, Pastor Cal, Dr. Pepper and Dr. Pia will all return once again as relationship experts, offering the show’s couples advice as they “navigate through their marriage.”

To help unpack the cheating scandal-turned-couple swap shocker and much more, Married at First Sight: Afterparty, hosted by Keshia Knight Pulliam, will air following each episode. Pulliam will chat with show participants and special guests to break down all the drama that just unfolded on television screens.

Another special, Beyond Decision Day, will also give fans an inside look into life past Decision Day and reveal what what happens after the experiment ends but cameras keep rolling as the marriages get even more raw.

If fans are eager to get their fill of MAFS before then, they're in luck. Two specials will air on Tuesday, Oct. 8, cueing up season 18: MAFS: Matchmaking Special, introducing the new group of singles, followed by MAFS: Kickoff Special, hosted by Kevin Frazier.

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Season 18 of Married at First Sight — produced by Kinetic Content — premieres Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. ET on Lifetime; Married at First Sight: Afterparty airs afterwards at 10 p.m. ET.