Hardware FixRecommendedDevice not working? Your driver may be the problemCheck updates for common hardware issues.Fix DriversEarly Black FridayAmazon USEarly Black Friday picks are worth checking nowAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run Scan×
Skip to the story
DocumentaryTubeTRUE STORIES, ON SCREEN.
  1. DocumentaryTube
  2. The Screening Room
  3. Blog

Blog

Meet the Cast of Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (Exclusive)

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

The original Season 1 cast of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives consisted of eight women: Taylor Frankie Paul, Demi Engemann, Jennifer Affleck—now generally billed as Jen Affleck—Jessi Ngatikaura—now Jessi Draper—Layla Taylor, Mayci Neeley, Mikayla Matthews and Whitney Leavitt. Miranda Hope joined in Season 2, expanding the ensemble to nine. Hulu’s official Season 4 listing still names all nine women, but the reported Season 5 lineup is unsettled.

The Hulu reality series follows Utah-based social-media creators associated with #MomTok as they navigate motherhood, faith, marriage, friendship, business and the fallout from a 2022 relationship scandal. The women are reality-TV cast members rather than fictional characters, and the show’s title should not be read as a description of every woman’s current marital status or religious beliefs.

This guide separates the original August 2024 launch cast from the later nine-woman ensemble and the still-changing Season 5 picture.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The original Season 1 cast at a glance

Cast member Known for Original Season 1 context
Taylor Frankie Paul Motherhood and lifestyle creator; central #MomTok figure Rebuilding her personal life and public image after the 2022 scandal
Demi Engemann Motherhood and lifestyle content Blended-family life, mental health, postpartum depression and IVF
Jen Affleck
Originally Jennifer Affleck
Lifestyle and family-content creator Balancing marriage, family expectations and her role in MomTok
Jessi Draper
Originally Jessi Ngatikaura
Hairstylist, entrepreneur and beauty-business owner Marriage, friendship, business and fallout from an alleged emotional affair
Layla Taylor Motherhood and day-in-the-life creator Single motherhood, dating, body image and personal growth
Mayci Neeley Former Division I tennis player and founder of Baby Mama Family-building, IVF and life as a mother and business owner
Mikayla Matthews Motherhood and skincare creator Young motherhood, marriage, eczema and other health concerns
Whitney Leavitt Motherhood, comedy, dancing and baking creator Friendship, business and her place within the MomTok group

Important: Miranda Hope was not one of these eight original Season 1 women. She joined the series later.

Who is Taylor Frankie Paul?

Taylor Frankie Paul is the most prominent figure in the show’s origin story. Hulu’s official biography describes her as the creator of #MomTok and the person at the center of the swinging scandal that made the group nationally visible. In practice, #MomTok was a loose network of creators rather than a formal organization, so calling Taylor its creator or founder reflects Hulu’s description and her central role, not a corporate membership structure.

When the series launched, Taylor was divorced, raising children and in a relationship with Dakota Mortensen. Her Season 1 story focused on trying to repair friendships, manage public judgment and build a new life after the collapse of her marriage and the controversy surrounding MomTok.

Taylor’s later legal and relationship developments should be kept separate from that 2024 biography. In a 2023 case, she pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with the case held in abeyance; that wording does not mean later allegations were convictions. In 2026, reporting described additional allegations, investigations and custody-related developments involving Taylor and Dakota. Those matters involve legal proceedings and competing accounts and should not be summarized with unqualified labels such as criminal or abuser. The Los Angeles Times timeline distinguishes the earlier plea from the later investigations.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Who is Demi Engemann?

Demi Engemann is known for motherhood and lifestyle content, including the social-media persona she described as the CEO of cool mom. At launch, she was married to Bret Engemann and presented her life as part of a blended family. Hulu’s biography describes her as divorced and remarried with three children.

Her storylines have included motherhood, mental health, postpartum depression, ketamine therapy, IVF and changing friendships within #MomTok. Her role also illustrates why the cast list needs a season label: by Season 4, reporting and promotional material gave Demi a less prominent friend role rather than treating her as an undisputed core cast member in every season. Her Season 5 status was not clear from official Hulu material as of August 10, 2026.

Who is Jen Affleck?

The original Us Weekly feature called her Jennifer Affleck, but current Hulu material generally bills her as Jen Affleck. She is a lifestyle and family-content creator who was married to Zac Affleck at the series launch and had two children.

Jen’s connection to the famous Affleck family comes through her husband: Zac is a cousin of actors Ben Affleck and Casey Affleck. That does not mean Jen is related to the actors by birth. In Season 1, part of her story centered on the tension between her marriage, family expectations and her involvement with the MomTok business and friend group.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Jen and Whitney later competed on Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars. Jen has also been linked to the Hulu franchise’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County. Those later appearances and possible spin-off participation should not be confused with her status as one of the original eight women.

Who is Jessi Draper?

Jessi Draper was introduced in older coverage as Jessi Ngatikaura. Use Jessi Draper for current references, while retaining Ngatikaura because it appears in the original Season 1 article, older promotional material and search results. Hulu’s viewing guide identifies the name change.

Jessi is a hairstylist and entrepreneur associated with a hair school, an extension business and salon-related brands. The original cast coverage described her as divorced and remarried with a blended family. Her reality-TV storylines include marriage, friendship, the commercial side of #MomTok and the fallout from an alleged emotional affair. Because that affair is an allegation and part of a reality-show storyline, it should not be presented as an independently established fact.

Who is Layla Taylor?

Layla Taylor was the youngest member of the original group at the time of the 2024 launch. That is a date-specific description, not a permanent title. She was presented as a newly divorced single mother raising two boys and sharing day-in-the-life and motherhood content online.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Layla’s storylines have included single motherhood, dating, cosmetic procedures, body image and personal growth. Her relationship status and family circumstances may change, so launch-era descriptions should not automatically be treated as current.

Who is Mayci Neeley?

Mayci Neeley is a former Division I tennis player at Brigham Young University and the founder of Baby Mama, a natal-nutrition company. She is married to Jacob Neeley and has discussed family-building and IVF on the show.

Mayci also shares material about motherhood and running a business. Promotional descriptions sometimes call her a voice of reason, but that is a characterization rather than a measurable credential; the more concrete parts of her biography are her tennis background, company and family-building story.

Who is Mikayla Matthews?

Mikayla Matthews is a motherhood and skincare creator who has spoken publicly about chronic eczema and other health concerns. At launch, she was described as married to Jace Terry, with three children, and as having become a mother as a teenager.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Later information has changed that snapshot. Hulu’s current guide lists four children and describes Mikayla as separated. Some launch coverage gave different specific ages for when she first became a mother, so the careful formulation is that she became a mother during her teenage years rather than repeating one disputed number as current fact.

Also popular on Amazon

Who is Whitney Leavitt?

Whitney Leavitt creates motherhood and lifestyle content that includes comedy, dancing and baking. When Season 1 premiered, she was married, had two children and was expecting a third. Hulu’s biography also emphasizes Whitney’s view that the women already had a friendship and business network before television brought them wider attention.

Whitney later competed on Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars and made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago. She has announced that Season 5 will be her final season, according to her comments reported by Marie Claire. That departure belongs in the current-status section, not in the original 2024 cast introduction.

Who is Miranda Hope?

Miranda Hope is the major addition to the cast after Season 1. She joined in Season 2 under the name Miranda McWhorter; current Hulu material uses Miranda Hope and older coverage may use McWhorter.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Producers described Miranda as Taylor’s former best friend and an original member of the MomTok circle connected to the 2022 controversy. Her arrival was important because it reopened conflicting accounts about what happened before the series began. In other words, Miranda was not simply a ninth influencer added to fill out the ensemble: her history with Taylor gave the second season a new perspective on the scandal at the center of the franchise. TheWrap’s Season 2 producer interview explains that connection.

What is #MomTok?

#MomTok refers to a loose group of Utah-based social-media creators whose videos combined motherhood, relationships, faith, dancing, skits, beauty and lifestyle content. It was not a formal club with a definitive public membership list. Taylor Frankie Paul is widely identified as a founder or central figure, and Hulu’s official biography calls her the creator of the hashtag community.

The group became much more visible in 2022 after Taylor discussed a relationship arrangement involving other MomTok couples. That online disclosure transformed a niche creator circle into the subject of national entertainment coverage and eventually Hulu’s reality series. However, visibility around the scandal does not establish that every MomTok creator—or every woman in the television cast—participated in it.

What happened in the soft-swinging scandal?

Taylor said that she and her then-husband, Tate Paul, participated in an open relationship involving other MomTok couples. She described the arrangement as having boundaries or rules. Taylor said she broke those rules by becoming involved with someone without her husband’s knowledge, a development she connected to the end of their marriage.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The wording matters. The story is based on accounts from the people involved, and the precise identities, extent of participation and meaning of the arrangement have been disputed or described differently. Several women in the original cast denied participating in the scandal. It is therefore inaccurate to write that the entire cast were swingers or that the show proves every allegation.

Also popular on Amazon

The show uses the controversy as its starting point, but its broader subject is how these women manage public identity, religion, marriage, motherhood, friendship and monetized online fame after a private conflict became public entertainment. The Los Angeles Times’ cast and culture explainer provides additional context.

How the cast changed by season

Season Release and cast status Verified lineup
Season 1
September 6, 2024
The original eight-woman ensemble; the first season had eight episodes. Taylor Frankie Paul, Demi Engemann, Jennifer Affleck, Jessi Ngatikaura, Layla Taylor, Mayci Neeley, Mikayla Matthews and Whitney Leavitt.
Season 2
May 15, 2025
The original group returned and Miranda joined. The original eight plus Miranda McWhorter, now generally billed as Miranda Hope.
Season 3
November 13, 2025
The nine-woman ensemble continued. Taylor, Demi, Jen, Jessi, Layla, Mayci, Mikayla, Miranda and Whitney. ABC News reported the Season 3 release and cast.
Season 4
March 12, 2026
Hulu officially listed nine stars. All 10 episodes were released at once, although Demi received less promotional emphasis in some coverage. Taylor, Demi, Jen, Jessi Draper, Layla, Mayci, Mikayla, Miranda Hope and Whitney. See Hulu’s official Season 4 listing.
Season 5
No official premiere date as of August 10, 2026
Production and post-production details have changed, and Hulu has not published a definitive final cast list. Whitney has announced her departure after the season. Taylor’s participation has been reported as limited, while Demi’s status remains unclear. Jessi, Mayci, Layla, Mikayla and Miranda are among the clearest reported returning core members, but this should not be treated as a final official roster.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Where does the cast stand now?

As of August 10, 2026, Hulu lists four seasons and 40 episodes. The service’s official press page names nine Season 4 stars: Taylor Frankie Paul, Demi Engemann, Jen Affleck, Jessi Draper, Layla Taylor, Mayci Neeley, Mikayla Matthews, Miranda Hope and Whitney Leavitt.

Season 5 is more difficult to summarize because reports have changed while production has continued. Hulu renewed the series for 20 additional episodes, an order expected to cover Seasons 4 and 5. Season 4 premiered with 10 episodes on March 12, 2026. Later entertainment reporting said Season 5 might be shorter than the show’s usual 10-episode seasons, including a reported five-episode plan. That number was not confirmed in the accessible official Hulu listing.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Production reportedly paused in March 2026 amid investigations involving Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen and resumed in late April. Reports in July and August indicated that Taylor returned to film introductory credits but was not expected to film a new confessional. Those reports should be attributed rather than presented as a Hulu announcement; TMZ reported the limited participation, while Marie Claire summarized the wider Season 5 uncertainty.

Whitney’s announcement that Season 5 will be her last is the clearest confirmed cast change. Demi’s continuing role is unclear from official materials. The names most consistently reported as returning core members are Jessi Draper, Mayci Neeley, Layla Taylor, Mikayla Matthews and Miranda Hope, but no final, unqualified Season 5 roster should be published until Hulu confirms one. Jen’s Season 4 billing also should not automatically be treated as confirmation of her Season 5 participation.

Does the show represent the Latter-day Saint faith?

The title uses the popular term Mormon, but the formal name of the church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The cast’s relationship to the faith varies, and the series is an entertainment production rather than an official representation of the church or its members.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

On August 16, 2024, the church’s newsroom published a commentary warning that entertainment portrayals can rely on stereotypes or gross misrepresentations and do not represent the lives of all church members. The official church response is useful context for viewers who might otherwise mistake a reality-TV storyline for a portrait of millions of Latter-day Saints.

Where to watch The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives

In the United States, the series is available on Hulu. The current Hulu listing shows four seasons and 40 episodes, although catalog availability can vary by country. In some territories, the show may be offered through Disney+ or another regional Disney service, so viewers outside the United States should check their local catalog rather than assume the U.S. Hulu arrangement applies everywhere.

The series is produced by Jeff Jenkins Productions in association with 3BMG and Walt Disney Television Alternative, according to Hulu’s official press materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Miranda Hope in the original cast of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives?

No. Season 1 featured eight women. Miranda joined in Season 2 under the name Miranda McWhorter and is now generally billed as Miranda Hope.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Were all eight original cast members involved in the soft-swinging scandal?

No. Taylor Frankie Paul said she and her then-husband participated in an open or soft-swinging arrangement involving other MomTok couples. Several other women denied participating, and the details and extent of involvement have been disputed.

How many cast members are in Season 4?

Hulu’s official Season 4 press listing names nine stars: Taylor Frankie Paul, Demi Engemann, Jen Affleck, Jessi Draper, Layla Taylor, Mayci Neeley, Mikayla Matthews, Miranda Hope and Whitney Leavitt.

When does Season 5 premiere?

Hulu had not announced an official Season 5 premiere date as of August 10, 2026. Reports indicated that production resumed after a pause, but the final cast and episode count remained unsettled.

The Bottom Line

The cleanest answer depends on the season: the original Us Weekly launch story covered eight Season 1 women; Miranda Hope joined for Season 2, creating the nine-person ensemble Hulu officially listed through Season 4. Season 5 should be treated as a changing, reported lineup—not a finalized Hulu cast announcement—with Whitney’s departure and Taylor’s limited participation among the most significant updates.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply. Prices as of November 4, 2026 8:10 pm GMT+0530.

#MomTokDocumentariesHuluMormon cultureReality TVTaylor Frankie PaulThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wives

About the author

— The DocumentaryTube Team writes The Screening Room's guides, reviews and news, and keeps the directory's records of documentaries, their directors and where to watch them. How DocumentaryTube works.

More in Blog

Say something about this film

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.