Jason Oppenheim thinks Selling Sunset fans were “tired” of breakout star Christine Quinn and the drama she brought to the Netflix reality show, he revealed in a new interview.
“I think people were tired of watching that dynamic continue season after season,” he told Page Six at the launch of the 1060 App last week in West Hollywood. “So I think, if anything, it’s provided a breath of fresh air for the office and for the show.”
While the drama led to some of the best-ever episodes of Selling Sunset, Jason seems willing to take the risk on a season without Christine. “It’s not the type of drama that I enjoyed being a professional real estate broker,” he explained. “I wasn’t happy with the types of issues [about Quinn] being brought to my attention. I think it ran its course.”
Despite the fact that Christine will not be appearing on Season 6, Jason revealed that he has no issues with her now that she’s off the show. “I never had my own personal issues with Christine other than the fact that I recognized that she had a lot of other issues with other cast members,” he said. “But I wish her the best and I know she is doing great things, especially in the fashion space.”
Christine Quinn exits Selling Sunset
As previously reported, Christine Quinn is leaving Selling Sunset and will not be featured on Season 6 and 7, which were renewed by Netflix earlier this year.
“Production sources tell TMZ Christine will not be featured in seasons 6 and 7 of the Netflix show, which recently began production,” the gossip outlet reported a few months ago. “We’re told it was a mutual decision between Christine, Netflix and the production company.”
TMZ pointed out at the time that Christine had recently signed with IMG Models and is heavily involved with her and husband Christian’s real estate company, RealOpen, and that may be why she is parting way with the show after five seasons.
Wanted: new villain
While Jason seems confident about the show’s chances without its breakout star, reports have surfaced that have suggested production may not be feeling the same way.
Netflix and Selling Sunset producers were reportedly scrambling to find a new villain after Christine Quinn’s exit ahead of Season 6, according to TMZ. “Production sources tell TMZ … the folks who run the popular Netflix show are scrambling behind the scenes to figure out who is going to step into Christine’s place as the bad girl, and they’re hopeful holdover Chelsea Lazkani leans into the role in upcoming seasons,” reads the report.
According to the gossip outlet, Selling Sunset producers had approached Chelsea about the villain role for Season 6 but she was apparently undecided. If she didn’t step into the role, TMZ implied that either of the two new cast members, Bre Tiesi or Nicole Young, could be convinced to take over Christine’s spot.
Seasons 1-4 of Selling Sunset are now streaming on Netflix, with Season 5 expected in early 2023. In addition to the OG franchise, Netflix recently cancelled spinoff Selling Tampa after one season while Selling The OC is rumoured to be returning with Season 2 sometime in 2023.