TLC's reality series "Sister Wives" is entering a new era with the announced departure of stars Kody Brown and his wife Robyn Brown. A trailer for the upcoming season 21, released Monday, includes a disclaimer stating that Kody and Robyn will not be returning to the show after 16 years of filming.
The promotional materials and trailer prominently feature Kody's other wives: Janelle, Meri, and Christine. These three wives have all previously separated or divorced from Kody.
Christine, who spiritually married Kody in 1994 and separated in 2021, commented on the cast shakeup in the trailer, stating, "I don’t know what it means. I have no idea." Janelle, who separated from Kody in December 2022, expressed surprise at the news, saying, "I was flabbergasted, really, when I got the news." Meri, who legally divorced Kody in 2014 so he could marry Robyn, shared similar sentiments: "I was actually surprised when I was told that Kody and Robyn weren’t coming back to the show."
Janelle shares five living children with Kody. Meri and Kody have one child, Leon Brown. Christine and Kody share six children, and Christine married David Woolley in 2023.
Robyn Brown, Kody's fourth wife, entered the plural marriage with three children from a previous relationship, who Kody later adopted. Kody and Robyn also have two children together, Solomon and Ariella.
Kody Brown, who has 18 children in total, was filmed undertaking an "apology tour" last season, addressing his past behavior with his ex-wives. The series has documented the dissolution of most of his plural marriages over the years.