Alert – Love Is Blind creator Chris Coelen shares promising update on making an LGBTQ+ version of Netflix dating show

Love Is Blind creator Chris Coelen has revealed he is ‘open’ to working out how to make an LGBTQ+ inclusive series.

There has been lots of chatter amongst viewers of the popular Netflix dating show about their desire for a queer version since it hit the streamer nearly five years ago. 

And now, reality television producer Coelen, 56, has confirmed that he is ‘interested’ in trying to overcome the clear logistical hurdles.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, he said: ‘I’m really proud of the representation that we’ve had on the show.

‘It’s really important to me on a personal level because you want to try to portray as broad a picture of the population.

Love Is Blind creator Chris Coelen has revealed he is ‘open’ to working out how to make an LGBTQ + inclusive series

As it currently stands, the format of the Netflix show creates logistical hurdles for an LGBTQ+ cast 

‘There are lots of people with lots of different backgrounds or identities and I think it’s important to represent all of that.

‘I think with Love is Blind, there are logistical considerations, [but] I would absolutely be interested in trying to figure it out.’

When asked what aspects of the show would need restructuring, Coelen said: ‘There are 10 pods down the row and trying to get people to rotate through the pods, people are going to see each other.

‘It’s not impossible to figure out, but it’s not just like a layup like people have said.

‘There are ways that you could approach it, but it would be a different show.’

Love Is Blind debuted on Netflix in February 2020 and quickly became the streamer’s number one trending program.

There are now seven seasons of the show, as well as a multitude of international versions, including Love Is Blind Brazil, Love Is Blind United Kingdom, and Love Is Blind Mexico.

As it currently stands, the format follows 15 men and 15 women on their quest to fall in love sight unseen.

As it currently stands, the pods and the living quarters pose issues

Speaking to DailyMail.com, Coelen said: ‘I think with Love is Blind, there are logistical considerations, [but] I would absolutely be interested in trying to figure it out’

The men and women are kept separated and live in gendered living quarters.

For 10 days, contestants date each other in purpose-built pods, where they can talk to each other through a speaker but not see each other. 

Initially, they are matched in a speed-dating format, but later can choose to have longer dates.

Should they find a connection in the pods, the daters may extend a marriage proposal whenever they feel ready.

A couple can only meet face-to-face after a marriage proposal is accepted.

The engaged couples then head on a one-week honeymoon where they spend time getting to know their partners and have their first opportunity to be physically intimate.

Given how the pods are structured, Coelen, who is behind some of Netflix’s biggest dating shows, including Married at First Sight US, The Ultimatum, and Perfect Match, said there would need to be ample discussion on what the experience would be like if it were to be changed.

Love Is Blind fans have long been discussing how the show’s format could be revamped to make it inclusive for queer contestants, but the issue with the pods has proved to be a continuous stumbling block.

In a Reddit thread posted earlier this month, one said: ‘I think it would be cool to see, but it would suck for the cast to isolated except for the dates.’

Love Is Blind debuted on Netflix in February 2020 and quickly became the streamer’s number one trending program

Last year, Coelen delighted Netflix fans with The Ultimatum: Queer Love 

Another observed: ‘The show’s current format would not work because you’d have to keep literally every contestant separate.

‘But I’m sure if the producers want to, they can figure out a format that works.’

‘I would love to see that, and I agree that there must be creative ways to change up the format,’ a third said. ‘Ultimatum Queer Love worked great, as drama and messy as it was!!’

A fourth added: ‘It legitimately wouldn’t work unless they were all completely isolated.’

Coelen is no stranger to changing the formats of his shows to make them inclusive of different sexualities.

Last year, he released The Ultimatum: Queer Love on Netflix, which featured queer female and non-binary couples on the verge of marriage.

The 10-part series saw the couples spend three weeks living with a stranger in a trial marriage, followed by three weeks living with their original partner in a second trial marriage.

Afterwards, the original couples had to decide whether they wanted to get married or split forever.

The Ultimatum: Queer Love was well-received by viewers, scoring 88 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.