Plot Synopsis

UNEXPECTED is a one-hour reality series that explores the ups and downs of pregnant teen couples and the parents who raised them. Pulling back the curtain on the complicated family affair that is teenage pregnancy, the series chronicles the various stages of each pregnancy and the first few weeks of parenthood with teens who happened to have been raised by teens. The series focuses on three teen couples who are entirely unprepared to have a child and their parents or grandparents who must step in and help through this huge life change. Tensions mount between the families as everyone has conflicting ideas for what is best for the young parents and their child -- from where they will live to whether or not they should get married. In the series opener, viewers meet 15-year-old Lexus as she heads to the doctor for her 38-week appointment with boyfriend Shayden and her 31-year old mom Kelsey, who is doubtful they are prepared for the huge responsibility that is parenthood. Sixteen-year-old McKayla, raised by her grandparents since her teenage mother Shannon was largely absent during her childhood, is prepping for prom with the soon-to-be father of her child Caelen. As she shops for dresses, McKayla reestablishes a relationship with her mother, who now wants to be a bigger part of her life in the few weeks before the baby arrives. And 16-year-old Lilly, who only started dating James a few months before she got pregnant, is prepping for her new arrival while the teen couple's families urge them to get to know one another a little better.

TLC is working in partnership with the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy (The National Campaign) to help viewers use UNEXPECTED as a way to spark meaningful conversations about unplanned pregnancies. Teen and unplanned pregnancy have dropped by more than half since the early 1990s, according to the National Campaign; however, nearly one in four girls will get pregnant by age 20, and children of teen moms are more likely to become teen parents themselves. Based on themes covered in the show, The National Campaign is creating discussion-starters, information and tips for families, teens, and other trusted adults to help them talk openly and ensure all young people have the power to decide if, when and under what circumstances to get pregnant. These family resources will be available for viewers at TLC.com/Unexpected.

Season 2 of UNEXPECTED premiered on Sunday, August 5, 2018 at 10pm ET/PT on TLC. The second season picks up with returning couples Lexus (17) and Shayden (18), and McKayla (18) and Caelen (19), who are now facing and embracing their new reality as parents. They will be joined by three newly expecting couples -- Laura (18) and Tylor (18), Chloe (17) and Max (18), and Emiley (18) and Diego (17) -- whose lives will be drastically changed by pregnancy, child-rearing and everything in-between. It truly takes a village to raise a child and this series delves into the oftentimes overwhelming responsibility and sacrifice that is required of young parents, and their families. Viewers will get a first-hand look at the hurdles that all five families encounter while raising not only their teenagers, but their grandchildren - and great-grandchildren - as well. As grandparents and great-grandparents step in to help the teens, roles are blurred, tensions mount and relationships become strained because everyone has differing opinions about what is best for the teens and the well-being of their babies. In the premiere episode, McKayla decides to take her young child and move out of her grandparents' house, while Lexus reveals the details on her breakup with Shayden. Just weeks before giving birth, Emiley finds herself at a crossroads with her boyfriend, Diego; and Max, the boyfriend of expectant mother Chloe, proves that he still has a lot to learn.

The third season of UNEXPECTED premiered on Sunday, August 4, 2019 at 10pm ET/PT on TLC. Returning this season are McKayla (18) and Caelan (20) who are expecting their second child, and Chloe (17) and Max (19), who are adjusting to their new life as first-time parents while simultaneously trying to maintain their relationship, despite Chloe's parents' disapproval. Viewers will also be introduced to four new couples who are trying to navigate the ups and downs of teenage pregnancy and parenthood, including Hailey (16) and Matthew (16), Rilah (16) and Anthony (18), and Tyra (18) and Alex (18), in addition to Tyra's younger sister Tiarra (16) who recently birthed her first child with her boyfriend Dee (18). In the Season 3 opener, "We're Back, Baby,"viewers find McKayla and Caelan at a crossroads in their relationship, and McKayla is ready to self-induce labor on her second child. Meanwhile, Chloe is essentially parenting Ava as a single mom while also attempting to maintain distance between her parents and her boyfriend Max, who may be facing jail time. Also, just days after her younger sister Tiarra gave birth to a baby girl, Tyra finds out that she is five months pregnant, and she is concerned about the health of her baby. And, much to Hailey's dismay, Matthew has yet to introduce her to his sister, who has serious doubts about Matthew's readiness to become a father. As these teens transition from proms, to baby showers, to delivery rooms, their families stick by their side every step of the way, while helping to guide them from heartbreak and helplessness, to hope.

TLC premiered the fourth season of UNEXPECTED on Sunday, December 20, 2020 at 10pm ET/PT on Food Network. Returning this season are Tyra (17) and Alex (18), who are balancing baby duties, college classes and a long-distance relationship, and Season 1 mom Lily (19) who is pregnant with her second child, but her first with boyfriend Lawrence (19). Viewers are also introduced to three new couples: Jenna (16) & Aden (17), Myrka (15) & Ethan (16), and Reanna (15) & Taron (16). In the season premiere, Myrka is trying to fix her relationship with her mother who kicked her out of the house upon learning about the pregnancy, forcing Myrka to move in with Ethan and his family. Reanna recently decided to move over an hour away from Taron following their breakup so she could live with her mom. The former couple is no longer on speaking terms, and Reanna's mother is adamant that they need to restore civility for the sake of their child whose arrival is coming soon. Jenna's pregnancy led her to drop out of her strict Catholic high school and enroll in an online school. She and Aden met in sixth grade and now await the birth of their baby, supported by Jenna's dad, who finds it hard to say "no" to Jenna whenever she asks for something, including a car for her birthday. Tyra has recently enrolled in college, and if she graduates, she'll be the first of five generations of teen moms in her family to do so. With the school located several hours away from Alex and their daughter, it's causing a strain on their relationship. Later in the season, viewers will be reintroduced to Lily, who is pregnant with her second child, and meet her boyfriend Lawrence, who is hoping to take their relationship to the next level. After a six-week break, UNEXPECTED returned with new episodes on Monday, March 15, 2021 at 10pm ET/PT on TLC. In the mid-season premiere, "Bitchy Teenage Girl," Myrka's contractions get worse at the hospital. Jenna's mom causes a scene at her baby shower. Kim discourages Lilly from making the same mistake twice.

Season 5 of UNEXPECTED debuted on Sunday, March 6, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT on TLC. In the season opener, "Got Another Girl Pregnant," Kylen and Jason discuss a home birth, Lilly and Lawrence are approved for a new apartment, Erica and Emersyn host a brunch for Mason's family to discuss arrangements for when the baby arrives, and Tyra vents to her mom about Alex's recent betrayal.

UNEXPECTED returned for its sixth season on Monday, June 3, 2024 at 9pm ET/PT on TLC. This season features three new couples and two returning pairs that each have unique experiences and obstacles as young, expecting parents. This season, an aspirational motocross rider must give up his dream of becoming a professional rider now that his girlfriend's expecting. A former cheerleading queen dislikes the "long-distance" relationship she has with her boyfriend from a neighboring town 30-minutes away because they both cannot drive and as a result, they barely see each other. One returning teen mom from last season struggles to create a new life for herself while leaving her past behind, and another returning mom is determined to save up for the next step of her relationship with her fiance. All the couples grapple with difficult relationships between their families, all the while navigate their individual challenges that come with early parenthood. The five couples are: Emalee (18) & Nate (16); Kayleigh (15) & Graham (15); Aniyah (17) & Dakwon (17); Jenna (19) & JJ (20), who return; and Lilly (22) & Lawrence (21), who return.
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On Monday, August 26, 2024 at 9pm ET/PT, TLC premiered "The Kids Are Alright," the Season 6 finale of UNEXPECTED. Kayleigh, her friends and Mandy, all doubt that Graham will step up to the plate in the future; stressed about her custody situation, and distanced from Dalanie, Jenna finds out that she's pregnant.