The Bachelor's cast may be getting older, according to the ABC executive in charge of the reality franchise.

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The network may consider increasing the age of women cast on The Bachelor in response to the catty behavior seen on Peter Weber's season and the perception that many of his bachelorettes have appeared too immature to be ready for marriage.

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"You see a lot of people talking about the age of contestants, I think that's something we'd probably look at and say, 'Does it need to be aged up? Are these girls ready?'" ABC executive Robert Mills told Entertainment Tonight in a recent interview.

Most of Peter's Season 24 The Bachelor bachelorettes are in their early to mid-twenties, and two of his Final 4 ladies alone -- Hannah Ann Sluss and Madison Prewett -- are only 23 years old.

In addition to speculation that a bachelorette nearly fresh out of college wouldn't be ready to walk down the aisle, there's been a lot of talk online Peter's edition of The Bachelor has been the cattiest ever.

Girls were fighting and throwing each other under the bus week to week until the latest episode.

"I feel like there's a lot of mean girls in this season and it makes me feel really sad," The Bachelor alum Ashley Iaconetti recently told Us Weekly.

In light of all the drama, many fans are claiming Peter's lineup of ladies is too young and immature, and that ABC's casting department is to blame.

When ET asked Robert if producers would do anything differently when looking back on the casting process, he replied, "We'll look at everything."

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"I don't think you ever say you'd do anything differently, but I think it's that we need to look at things going forward," Robert explained.

"This is a show about hopefully finding a life mate, and that has happened on this show."

Robert therefore said it's important to cast bachelorettes who truly seem prepared for a possible engagement and lifelong commitment with the show's leading man.

"I think just making sure everybody's ready, and you can't ignore the fact that, not even for the right reasons anymore, but are you there to be an influencer?" Robert questioned.

"Are you there for Peter? Looking at all that."

Robert was referencing how many The Bachelor bachelorettes become social-media influencers and focus on growing their Instagram followings after the show.

However, the ABC executive apparently believes Peter's bachelorettes this season are "very sincere" and "actually great," despite opposition and complaints from many fans.

"But you look at everything and take that into account moving forward as we think about who the next Bachelorette is going to be," Robert concluded.

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Peter's journey to find love is now quite serious as he'll be visiting the hometowns of his Final 4 bachelorettes -- including Victoria Fuller and Kelsey Weier -- in the next episode.

The Bachelor's 24th season currently airs on Monday nights at 8PM ET/PT on ABC.

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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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