Gerry Turner may not have found lasting love on his season of "The Golden Bachelor," but maybe his ex Joan Vassos will have better luck as the very first Golden Bachelorette this fall.
After the massive success of "The Golden Bachelor," the first show in the "Bachelor'" franchise to focus exclusively on older men and women looking for love, a spinoff series called "The Golden Bachelorette" was almost immediately rumored.
Numerous figures close to the franchise — including host Jesse Palmer and Turner himself — expressed support for "The Golden Bachelorette" and all but promised that it would happen; the spinoff was officially confirmed at Disney's Television Critics Association Press Tour in February. During Disney's Upfront presentation in May, "The Golden Bachelor" contestant Joan Vassos was announced as the first-ever Golden Bachelorette.
Here's what we know about the inaugural season of "The Golden Bachelorette," so far.
Vassos previously appeared on "The Golden Bachelor" but left during week three — the same week as her first one-on-one date with Turner — after learning her daughter was experiencing postpartum depression at home.
In an interview with Business Insider in November before the series was officially announced, Vassos said that she was open to being the Golden Bachelorette.
A new trailer released in July highlights how Vassos' family will be an important part of her journey. The video features Vassos at a dinner with her mother, mother-in-law, son, daughter, grandkids, and other family members as they discuss her upcoming return to reality TV.
As for the men who will be vying for Joan's heart, they have yet to be announced. Season 28 of "The Bachelor" featured ads encouraging senior men to apply for "The Golden Bachelorette," and a live casting event was held in Palm Springs, California, in March.
Longtime Bachelor Nation blogger Reality Steve previously reported that filming was set to begin in June, and in February, ABC confirmed that "The Golden Bachelorette" would premiere in the fall.
The network later announced that Vassos' season would kick off on September 18, airing Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and streaming on Hulu.
Libby Torres contributed to a previous version of this article.