Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson, the hosts of the popular HGTV series Married to Real Estate, have spoken out about the show's unexpected cancellation. In a detailed interview, the couple explained that a series of production challenges during the fourth season preceded the network's decision to end the program.
The show, which premiered in 2022 and ran for four seasons, recently received a 2025 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Instructional/How-To Program. Despite its success, the couple learned of its cancellation in June while returning from a vacation.
Key Takeaways
- HGTV has canceled Married to Real Estate after four successful seasons.
- Hosts Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson cited significant production issues during the final season as a contributing factor.
- Challenges included a complete change in the production team, filming delays, and a feeling of being unheard as executive producers.
- The couple owns the trademark for the "Married to Real Estate" brand and is considering future media projects.
- They continue to operate their real estate, design, and construction businesses in Georgia.
An Unexpected End to a Hit Series
Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson turned their family life and Georgia-based real estate business into a successful television series. Married to Real Estate quickly became a fan favorite, showcasing their dynamic as they helped clients find and renovate homes.
The show's success was significant, particularly as it broke new ground. "Historically, there had not been a show with an African American family on HGTV that had gone more than one season," Sherrod explained. The series not only ran for four seasons but also earned critical acclaim, including a recent Daytime Emmy nomination.
The news of the cancellation came as a shock. Sherrod, 48, recounted receiving the call from their management while still at the airport. "We came back on this amazing high... we were still at the airport loading our bags in our car when management and the agency called us to tell us about the show," she said.
A History with HGTV
Egypt Sherrod has been a familiar face on HGTV for years, previously hosting shows like Property Virgins and Flipping Virgins. The couple also appeared on and won season 4 of the network's competition series, Rock the Block, further cementing their status as popular network personalities.
Challenges During the Final Season
While the cancellation was abrupt, Sherrod and Jackson revealed that the final season was marked by considerable difficulty. They pointed to a complete overhaul of the production team as the start of the issues.
Production Team Changes and Delays
According to Sherrod, the fourth season felt different from the start. "We weren't listened to and it felt like [we were] not necessarily respected the same. But they were all different players — not one single person from season 1, 2 or 3 was left," she stated. Jackson added that their roles as executive producers felt diminished.
"There were moments where you forgot, 'Wait, we're the executive producers.' It was like, 'Wait, isn't this our show, our business, our house, our kids, our story, our marriage?'" - Mike Jackson
These internal shifts led to significant production shutdowns, which Sherrod referred to as "dark weeks." The delays impacted their business and reputation, forcing them to use their own funds to ensure client projects were completed on time and to their standards.
Filming Time Nearly Doubled
The production issues caused the filming schedule for season 4 to extend to nearly twice the normal length. This delay also pushed the show's premiere out of its typical January time slot, creating confusion for their dedicated audience.
External Pressures and Lack of Support
Adding to the on-set challenges, the couple faced false rumors about their marriage circulating online. Jackson noted the combined effect of production changes, an uncertain airdate, and untrue articles created a chaotic environment. "So that mixed with everything else that was going on, it was like, 'What is happening right now?'" he said.
The couple felt a lack of advocacy from the network during this period. "What was odd and surprising was when we weren't getting advocacy or phone calls back or responses to emails to show that we had some level of support," Sherrod shared. She later learned that HGTV's head of content, Loren Ruch, had been privately battling acute myeloid leukemia and passed away in June, which may have contributed to the communication breakdown.
In a statement to PEOPLE, HGTV said, “While it is never an easy conversation to share that a show has run its course and will be coming to an end, HGTV has the utmost respect for and enjoyed working with Egypt and Mike on Married to Real Estate for 4 seasons.”
The Future of the Brand
Despite the show's conclusion on HGTV, the Married to Real Estate brand is far from over. Sherrod confirmed that she owns the trademark, giving them full control over its future.
"The reality is that linear television is starting to shrink," Sherrod observed, indicating they are exploring different platforms for their next venture. For now, they plan to take a moment before deciding on their next television project, emphasizing they do not want to return to a generic, templated format.
Ongoing Business Ventures
The couple's work continues off-screen through their multifaceted company, Indigo Road Realty. Their business operations include:
- A full-service real estate brokerage
- A professional design firm
- A construction company
A Final Message to Fans
Sherrod and Jackson expressed gratitude for their viewers' loyalty throughout the show's run. "We would love to say to everybody thank you for those who loved us and our little Jackson family and have been there to support and watch us all along the way," Sherrod said.
They also issued a caution about misinformation, stating that this interview is their definitive statement on the matter. "This is the first and probably the only interview that we will do about this, so anything else [fans] read online that had quotes around it did not come from us," she concluded.
Looking back, Sherrod described the experience as an "amazing roller coaster ride" with no regrets. "We lead with love and we leave with love," she said, signaling a positive outlook as they move into their next chapter.
