Mikayla Matthews Leaves Mormon Wives Days After Season 5 Premiere

Mikayla Matthews is leaving The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. She announced the decision in an Instagram post. The announcement was reported on 14 September, four days after Season 5 arrived on Hulu.

Matthews said she made the choice more than a week ago and will not be continuing with the show at this moment after hearing some news, as reported by Deadline. She gave no details. She used the words "at this moment" to describe the break.

She was direct about why. She said no amount of money was worth going against her morals. She said continuing to profit directly from behaviour she disagrees with felt wrong and unethical to her.

The timing is tight. Season 5 premiered on 10 September on Hulu as a five-episode run, according to Variety. The series has previously been described as Emmy-nominated. The cast has since been seen in Italy filming Season 6, Deadline reported.

Matthews is not the only cast member stepping back. Season 5 is Whitney Leavitt's final appearance on the show. Leavitt is shifting focus to a Broadway and film career, People reported.

Matthews has spoken openly about difficult periods during her time on the series. She shared that she and Jace Terry had separated during the latest season, in coverage reported in March. She later described her experience with chronic illness flare-ups as very intense and traumatic, in an interview reported in April. In May she also responded to criticism that she had not supported castmate Taylor Frankie Paul, as reported by People.

For viewers, this means the line-up is shifting fast. Two familiar faces are stepping back just as new episodes land and work continues on the next season. The money did not matter. In her words, it came down to morals.