Bravo is rebooting Vanderpump Rules after 11 seasons, the network has confirmed.
In an announcement made earlier today (November 26), the network revealed that while the series’ original cast members will no longer be featured, Vanderpump Rules has been renewed for Season 12 and will instead return with an all-new cast of SURvers.
“What a thrill it is to build on the legacy of this series by doing it all over again,” said Alex Baskin, executive producer 32 Flavors. “With profound appreciation for the original group and their iconic run, we can’t wait for the audience to see a dynamic new group of co-workers and friends make their way through life together.”
Lisa Vanderpump — who is returning for the reboot — also released a statement, celebrating the network’s decision to move forward without the original cast members. “The last 12 years of filming have been an extraordinary run full of laughter, tears and everything in between,” she said. “I can’t thank enough those who have shared their lives. How I love you all. In the restaurant business, one shift always gives way to another. Cheers to the next generation of Vanderpump Rules.”
While a reboot was always in the running, producers had reportedly been trying to get Season 12 off the ground with at least some of the Season 11 cast in tact, although it was reported at the time that salary disputes could be playing a role in the network’s decision to delay filming on the new season.
Longtime hit
Vanderpump Rules, a spinoff of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, first premiered in 2013 and featured Lisa Vanderpump and the staff of her restaurant, SUR.
Season 11, which wrapped airing this year and will now be the last to feature original cast members, starred Tom Schwartz, Tom Sandoval, Ariana Madix, Katie Maloney, Scheana Shay, Lala Kent, James Kennedy and Ally Lewber. It earned two Emmy nominations, one for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program and the other for Outstanding Picture Editing for an Unstructured Reality Program.
Because fans are connected to the existing friend group and perhaps wary of Bravo’s lack of success with reboots, today’s announcement has garnered a somewhat tepid response from fans.
Bravo reboots — a good or bad idea?
This is not Bravo’s first time rebooting one of its own shows. In particular, the network has infamously faced backlash for deciding to proceed with an all-new cast on The Real Housewives of New York City just for the show to score lacklustre reviews and low ratings with Season 14 and the currently-airing Season 15 not doing much to change things.
On a more positive note, the network also rebooted The Real Housewives of Miami after a 9-year gap, premiering to big numbers on Peacock and pleasing viewers with every drama-filled episode. In addition, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, which is returning with Season 16 in early 2025, will also feature a mini-cast reboot.
While there has been mixed results to Bravo reboots so far, only time will tell whether this was a good idea for this series… or not.
According to the network’s announcement, Vanderpump Rules will enter production on Season 12 in 2025 with the new season premiering late next year.
