I just wrote a fun newsletter takeover email from Finn and I thought you might enjoy reading it too.

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Hey there! It's Finn here, taking over Morgana's newsletter for a bit of a chinwag and a catch-up. And honestly, I'm annoyed. What the hell are ye doing? Focusing on Jackson! Sure, he's a top lad, but come on, his life story's just a stroll in the park compared to mine. Try being plucked from your life, tossed into a telly circus, and married off to a stranger.

That's right, a stranger.

No cheeky pre-meet drinks or a quick stalk on social media.

Nada. Just me, Finn McCarthy, standing there, wondering if the lass walking toward me, Abi, would be the end of me or the start of something mad. Spoiler: It was both.

The moment I laid eyes on Abi, I knew the game was up. Though had you asked me to admit it then, you’d have a better job drawing blood from a stone.

There she was, nerves and all, looking like she might bolt at any second, and who could blame her? Marrying someone famous might sound like a dream, but what about when the cameras stop rolling? When it's just you and him, and you realise he's just a bloke who's as lost as you are? That's the real tea.

I was dead set on making her uncomfortable, pushing her away before she could get too close. I mean, who signs up for a reality show to find love? I thought she was after the fame, the fortune, or worse, a good laugh at my expense. But life has a funny way of smacking you right in the gob when you least expect it.

Every awkward encounter, every staged date, every ridiculous challenge thrown our way... it all started to peel back the layers of the Finn McCarthy Show. And what did we find underneath? A bloke terrified of being seen for who he really is. A bloke who, despite his best efforts, started to care about this woman who was supposed to be just another part of the show.

So here we are, a year later, and you're all caught up on Jackson's smooth-sailing love story. Good on him, truly.

But let's not forget the messy, beautiful disaster that started it all, that introduced him to his Ros Butler. My story wasn't just about marrying a stranger; it was about finding a mirror in the most unexpected of places and learning to like what I saw.

And because I’m feeling generous, I’ve agreed to let Tyler, our producer, interview me one more time and this time, I might not be so closed-lipped.

Cheers for the love, the laughs, and the endless support.

Till next time, Finn

A rare, no question off-limits interview with Finn McCarthy

T: Can you introduce yourself and share a bit about your background before joining the show?

FM: I’m Finn McCarthy, an actor from Belfast, Northern Ireland, now living the LA dream—or at least, that’s the story. I’ve been in the acting game for a while, picking up a few awards along the way and making lifelong mates with Shaun, Jackson, and Nathan on set. Before the madness of reality TV, I was just another bloke trying to navigate fame without losing myself in the process.

T: Great. Great. What motivated you to participate in this reality TV show?

FM: It wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision or a dare. Charlie, my agent and so-called friend, laid it out for me clear as day: I was going on this show as a way to rehab my image. Apparently, making headlines for all the wrong reasons isn’t “brand-friendly.” So, his master plan? Ship me off to marry a stranger on TV. Because nothing says ‘image rehab’ like gambling your love life on a coin toss.

T: And yet here you are, making light of it. Do you take anything seriously, Finn?

FM: Oh, I take plenty seriously, Tyler. Like the art of not throttling my agent. But if you can’t laugh at being thrown to the wolves on national TV, what can you laugh at?

T: What were your expectations coming into the show, and how have they aligned or differed from your actual experience so far?

FM: Expected a circus, got a full-blown carnival. Thought I’d breeze through, charm on autopilot. Reality check? It’s hard playing it cool when you’re marrying someone you’ve just met. Who knew?

T:Have there been any surprises or unexpected challenges you’ve faced during filming?

FM: Biggest surprise? Developing actual feelings in this madhouse. And challenges? Trying to keep my foot out of my mouth long enough to make a genuine connection with Abi.

T: Finn McCarthy admitting to feelings? I never thought I’d see the day. There might be hope for you yet, Finn.

FM: Hope springs eternal. Even for a cynic like me. Turns out, Abi’s more than just a co-star in this bizarre real life rom-com we’re living.

T: That she is. Can you describe your first impression of Abi and how your perception of her has evolved?

FM: When I first met Abi, I reckoned she was just another player in this mad game, maybe hunting for a bit of limelight, thinking, “Here’s my golden ticket, courtesy of Finn McCarthy’s dubious fame.” I wouldn’t have been surprised if she’d shown up with a selfie stick in one hand and a script in the other, ready to spin this into her breakout role. But, as the plot thickened, the script flipped. Abi wasn’t looking to play the fame game or ride the coattails of an A-list celebrity’s scandalous foray into reality TV matrimony. No, she had this unnerving way of peering right past the smoke and mirrors, seeing beyond the Finn McCarthy the tabloids love to hate. It threw me, honestly. I was braced for a farce, and she was nothing but authenticity and smiles, making me second-guess my every cynical bet against this whole setup. Suddenly, I’m the one scrambling to keep pace, not with the narrative I thought we were writing, but with the startling depth of a woman who turned out to be as real as the ground under my feet—no scripts, no rehearsals, just unscripted reality, in the raw. Turns out, the biggest joke was on me, and I’ve been playing catch-up ever since.

T: Finally, an admission of something genuine. Keep going.

FM: If you’d stop interrupting you might get more, asshole.

T: I’ll take that under advisement. What have been some key moments for you and Abi that have impacted your relationship on the show?

FM: Every ridiculous task, every staged date, they all somehow turned into something real. Who’d have thought pretending to be married would feel less like acting and more like… well, being married?

T: Maybe because there’s more to both of you than just the act, ever considered that?

FM: I’d rather run naked through a nettle field than admit you might have a point.

T: Try telling me that in a month. How do you navigate the balance between maintaining your privacy and sharing your relationship with the audience?

FM: It’s like trying to change in a glass house. You do your best to find a corner where the cameras don’t reach, but let’s be honest, the audience loves a good peek. It’s a delicate dance, really—trying to keep a shred of myself just for me, while also playing the part of the open book the show demands. But let’s not kid ourselves; every time I think I’ve found a bit of privacy, I remember the cameras are just on a lunch break. It’s a bit like trying to keep a secret in a town where gossip travels faster than light. Still, we manage to steal moments that feel like ours alone, amidst the orchestrated chaos. It’s an art form, really, maintaining that balance. Or maybe it’s just sheer dumb luck. 

T: In moments of conflict or disagreement with Abi or others on the show, what strategies do you employ to find a resolution?

FM: When in doubt, crack a joke. When that fails? Open your mouth and talk about your feelings. Revolutionary, I know. 

T: As the show progresses, what are your hopes or goals for your relationship with Abi?

FM: That we make it out the other side with our sanity intact. And maybe, just maybe, with something that looks a lot like love. It’s a tall order, I know, especially in this fishbowl we’re swimming in.

T: Are there any aspects of your relationship or personal journey you’re particularly looking forward to exploring in upcoming episodes?

FM: Oh, absolutely. I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for the episode where Abi and I delve into the existential crisis of whose turn it is to do the dishes. It’s high drama, high stakes, and truly a test of our budding relationship. But more than that, I’m itching to explore the depths of who gets control of the remote. It’s a power struggle wrapped in a psychological thriller, a real peek into the human condition. And let’s not forget the suspense-filled saga of navigating a grocery store together for the first time. If you think action movies have suspense, wait until you see two grown adults debate the merits of organic vs. non-organic avocados.

T: Who are you going to miss the most once the show ends?

FM: That’s a tough one, but if I have to choose, I’ll miss the craft services guy. A true hero in a world of chaos, always there with a snack just when you need it most. But on a more serious note, I’ll miss the other couples. There’s something about shared insanity that really brings people together. It’s like we’ve all survived a particularly peculiar boot camp together, and you just don’t forget the people who were in the trenches with you, especially when those trenches are lined with rose petals and mood lighting.

T: Who are you going to miss the least?

FM: Oh, how I will not miss our little chats. It’s been a journey, hasn’t it? From probing questions meant to unearth my deepest fears to the casual invasion of my personal space, you’ve truly been the thorn in my side I never knew I needed. I’ll look back on our time together with a sort of fond irritation, reminiscing about the days when I could go five minutes without wondering what curveball you’d throw my way next. So, here’s to you, Tyler—the most unforgettable irritation a guy could ask for.

T: Very funny, Finn. Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans or viewers who have supported you throughout the series?

FM: From the bottom of my heart, thank you for sticking with me through this wild ride. Your support and your willingness to follow along with my journey from a sceptical bachelor to a slightly less sceptical husband have meant the world to me. To those who’ve sent words of encouragement, memes, and even the occasional unsolicited advice, it’s been a blast.