Chris Harrison, former host of ABC’s The Bachelor, is set to return to reality dating television with The Vow, a new series premiering on Fox Nation on November 11. The show marks Harrison’s first hosting role since his departure from The Bachelor in 2021 following a racially charged controversy.
Harrison’s return to hosting comes as The Vow debuts its first two episodes on Fox Nation, with weekly releases through December 9. The series follows 30-year-old Jace Cates as he seeks a lasting commitment with 10 women over six episodes. Unlike The Bachelor, The Vow emphasizes long-term relationships, faith, and marriage, with Harrison describing it as “the most authentic dating show on television today.”
Harrison, who now lives in Austin, Texas, called his return “cathartic” and expressed relief at leaving behind the tumultuous period that ended his tenure on The Bachelor. “It feels real good to be back,” he said in a video call. “The expression of love, and excitement for the show, and myself to be back, makes me feel good.”
The show’s premise and format differ from Harrison’s previous work. The Vow focuses on substantive conversations about faith, family, and future plans, rather than the dramatic fantasy suites and exotic locations typical of The Bachelor. The women featured range in age from 25 to 33 and include Kylee, Alexis, Audrey, Haleigh, Julia, Kierstin, Marley, MJ, Mya, and Sierra. Harrison serves as both host and executive producer alongside his wife, Lauren Zima.
Harrison’s departure from The Bachelor followed a 2021 incident involving comments he made about a past season’s racial dynamics. The controversy led to his temporary suspension and eventual exit from the franchise. Despite his gracious exit statement at the time, Harrison now describes the departure as “a real gut punch” that was “tough on me and my family.”
The Vow premieres amid ongoing scrutiny of reality dating shows, which have faced criticism for issues such as poor vetting, cultural insensitivity, and problematic casting. ABC has since announced the return of The Bachelor in March, though the most recent season of The Bachelorette was shelved. The franchise continues to evolve amid shifting audience expectations and industry standards.