Sister Wives Season 21 delivered a major casting shakeup before its premiere, as TLC announced that Kody Brown and Robyn Brown had left the long-running reality series.
The network revealed their departure in the first trailer for the new season, ending the couple’s 16-year run on Sister Wives.
Kody and Robyn Brown will not return for Sister Wives Season 21
TLC addressed the change immediately in the Season 21 trailer.
“After 16 years of filming Sister Wives, Kody & Robyn will not be returning to the show,” the network stated.
Neither Kody Brown nor Robyn Brown explained the decision in the trailer. However, Kody’s former wives reacted to the unexpected news.
According to PEOPLE Christine Brown Woolley admitted that she did not know what the exit meant for the family or the show.
“I don’t know what it means. I have no idea,” Christine said.
Janelle Brown expressed similar surprise.
“I was flabbergasted, really, when I got the news,” she said.
Meri Brown also said the announcement caught her off guard.
“I was actually surprised when I was told that Kody and Robyn weren’t coming back to the show,” Meri said.
The casting change followed several years of major shifts within the Brown family.
Christine ended her spiritual marriage to Kody in 2021 after 25 years together. Janelle later separated from him after nearly three decades, while Meri eventually ended their relationship as well. Meri and Janelle later sought spiritual releases from their church.
Christine married David Woolley in 2023. Janelle also introduced a new relationship with a man named Pete, who appeared in the Season 21 trailer and joined the upcoming storyline.
Robyn remained Kody’s only wife following his splits from Christine, Janelle and Meri. Kody legally married Robyn in 2014 after divorcing Meri.
The previous season ended with Kody attempting to repair some of his strained relationships through what he called an “apology tour.”
His departure with Robyn shifted the focus of Sister Wives toward the lives of his former wives and their families.
TLC scheduled the new season to premiere on October 4 at 10 p.m. ET.
