CNN –
ABC’s new senior-focused “Bachelor” franchise spinoff “The Golden Bachelor,” starring 71-year-old Gerry Turner, has a familiar face in its newly announced cast.
The women of “The Golden Bachelor” were revealed on Wednesday, including former “Bachelor” star Matt James’ mother, Patty.
“Patty is ready to find love,” her official ABC bio reads. “After seeing how the process works for her son, Patty hopes to meet a kind, funny, smart and confident man.”
Viewers first met Patty, a 70-year-old retired real estate professional, during James’ 2021 season, when he was cast as the first Black Bachelor after a petition called on ABC to address the lack of diversity on the popular reality show to address.
“Although Patty has been single for almost 30 years, her heart is open,” her bio also states. “Patty hopes Gerry is as excited about her as she is about him!”
Patty lives in Durham, North Carolina and is mother to Matt and his younger brother John.
“Everything she sacrificed for me and my brother to be in the position we’re in, I want to be for someone else,” Matt said in a 2021 interview with GMA, adding, “Like she loved myself.” and John is the way I want to love someone and the way I want to be loved.”
Patty will be one of 22 women between the ages of 60 and 75 hoping to form a romantic connection with Turner, a grandfather and retired Indiana restaurateur. The cast of the original series, which began in 2002, were typically in their 20s and 30s.
An ABC press release states, “In this all-new, unscripted series, a hopeless romantic is given a second chance at love in search of a partner with whom to share the declining years of his life.”
Turner married his high school sweetheart Toni in 1974. They were together for 43 years and share two daughters, Angie and Jenny, and two granddaughters, Charlee and Payton. Toni died in 2017 and, according to his family, Turner is now ready to find love again.
“The Golden Bachelor” will premiere September 28 on ABC.