A few juicy behind the scenes facts about how The Ultimatum on Netflix is made

The Ultimatum on Netflix is pure chaos and quite possibly one of the most toxic shows Netflix has ever made. Season one has been a wild ride and it’s got absolutely everyone talking. The show is entirely unhinged and obviously leaves everyone who watches it with one question: How the hell do you make a show like The Ultimatum? There are a few production secrets and a couple of behind the scenes facts too, including how the hell the cast were convinced into taking part in the show. The cast spoke to POPSUGAR about their thoughts, here’s what they had to reveal:

1. The whole cast was recruited through social media

So apparently someone from The Ultimatum was commenting on their social media and said: “Hey, we have a dating show we want you to be on for anyone that’s looking to get married.” Madlyn, Colby, Alexis, Hunter and Randall also all confirmed someone reached out to them through Instagram DMs.

Chris Coelen, the creator of the show, said finding couples at this stage in their relationship was tricky. Before finding the cast members, they had to narrow down one location so they picked Austin, Texas because it “sounded cool” according to Chris. Then just like on Love Is Blind, the casting team go to the city and get on social media. But apparently they also went into bars and stuff to find people.

2. They had no idea they’d be dating other people’s partners

Most Read

There’s a really good reason why Dorothy’s iconic ruby slippers aren’t red in Wicked

This Wicked press tour clip is getting utterly dragged and has become a massive meme

The journalist behind the Wicked ‘holding space’ meme has finally explained what she meant

According to Randall, he and Shanique were not told much at all about The Ultimatum and how it would work. He claims the show was originally referred to as “The Awesome Couples Project” and says he just thought it was going to be like going through therapy and not them dating other people for three weeks.

3. The engagements in episode three were a total shock to everyone

via Netflix

So it turns out the reactions to Hunter and Nate proposing in episode three were completely real. Randall, who is spilling so much tea by the way, said it was an interesting experience of what was a really long night for the cast. Apparently they didn’t go to bed until 2am, Randall says: “It was so crazy and I don’t think anybody expected that twist to happen.”

4. April cried more times than we saw in the show lol

via Netflix

We saw April cry a lot during The Ultimatum, there’s no doubt about it. But she revealed herself that she cried “way more” than the show actually let on.

5. Shanique and Zay did not sleep together during filming

The show’s reunion episode didn’t actually clarify what went down between Shanique and Zae. The viewers were just pretty much left to decide for ourselves but anyway, Randall has since clarified they didn’t have sex. He also confirmed, as far as he knows, no one from the cast crossed that line with other people’s partners.

6. Randall and Shanique broke off their engagement after the show ended

As we learned from the reunion episode, Randall and Shanique broke up after filming The Ultimatum. Randall confirmed why saying he dealt with a lot of loss and found it hard giving his all in their relationship. However now they’re back together and stronger than they’ve ever been! They even live with each other now.

7. Randall always knew he was going to be with Shanique at the end

via Netflix

Despite giving Madlyn a lot of his time and affection, Randall claims he never had any doubts about Shanique being the person he’s meant to be with. He said he saw Madlyn as more of a “teaching lesson” and he knew in the back of his mind that Shanique was the person he was going to leave with.

8. April wishes The Ultimatum showed more of her time with Colby

So not only did April say The Ultimatum didn’t show the amount of tears she shed, she also reckons a lot of her time with Colby wasn’t shown either. April said: “I do wish that they showed more of my dates with Colby because y’all would have been able to see that as the more I dated Colby, the more I was like, ‘Alright, less about Jake and more about this is the kind of person I need walking out of this'”. I honestly can’t imagine April and Colby being together right now.

9. The cast are all still mates with each other

Surprisingly after Rae and Zay’s big argument at the reunion Colby says the group chat is still going strong. Alexis and Hunter apparently still keep in touch with Rae, Zay and Randall whilst Shanique and Randall admit they’re both good friends with Rae and Jake. Colby said they share some “goofy” things in the group chat and talk about relationships.

10. The show wasn’t filmed 24/7

Chris Coelen told E News that the cast were able to continue their real life like going out, working and being on their phone. He said: “We are not with them filming 24/7 and w are not keeping them in a bubble and we are allowing them to do their own thing. Because when they are doing that it really helps them to make a real decision that is right for them.”

The Ultimatum season one is available on Netflix now. The last two episodes are dropping on April 13. For all the latest Netflix news, drops, quizzes and memes like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook. 

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• The Ultimatum is Netflix’s most unhinged show by far and these moments prove it

• Here’s what happened during The Ultimatum reunion and a rundown of who’s still dating

• The Ultimatum on Netflix is straight-up toxic and everyone on it is a walking red flag