Some major changes are coming toThe Real Housewives of New York City.
On Wednesday,Andy Cohenconfirmed toVarietythat Bravo is “rebooting and recasting” the series for the upcoming season with hopes of securing a more diverse group of women for the show. No other casting decisions have been announced.
“You know that we’re at a crossroads forRHONY,” Cohen toldVariety. “We’ve spent a lot of time figuring out where to go. And the plan that we’ve come up with, I think, is a real gift to the fans.”
Season 13 ofRHONYstarred Ramona Singer,Luann de Lesseps,Sonja Morgan,Leah McSweeneyand newcomer Eboni K. Williams. While no official casting news has been announced, Cohen implied that the show is starting from scratch.
“This is amajorcasting search. We’re going to be casting all over Manhattan and the boroughs — part of the search is spreading the word,” he said.
Sophy Holland/Bravo
“And when you start from scratch,Beverly Hillswas a really successful season 1 cast,Jerseywas a really successful Season 1 cast,Salt Lake Citywas a really successful season 1 cast. Those were people who were in each other’s lives, who knew each other, who were relatives. That’s one of the things that is going to be fun about this. Because when we find people that we love, we can say, ‘Who are your friends? Who else is in your life?’ "
Cohen added, “I think it will be the rainbow that is New York City. That’s the goal.”
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Though Cohen hinted at a possible return for Williams. “We are interviewing multiple groups of friends. So certainly if Eboni is interested and has friends that would meet our casting goals, then of course they would be considered,” he said.
Season 13 featured recurring conflict between Singer and Williams, with the two women often finding themselves in heated conversations surrounding race and politics.
The source said the investigation was one of the reasons the season 13 reunion waspushed backandlater canceled.
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Along with news of a casting shakeup for the upcoming season 14 ofRHONY, Bravo also announced a new series with the working titleRHONY: ThrowbackorRHONY: Legacy, which will feature some of the most beloved NY Housewives.
No casting decisions have been announced, but the series leaves the door open for Singer, de Lesseps, Morgan and more to stay involved with the network. It could also see the return of fan-favorite housewives includingBethenny Frankeland Jill Zarin.
“I feel like we want to get the cast right,” Cohen said of the new series. “We just want to get it right. So that’s the focus right now. I don’t want to back into a production date. Because I want this to succeed; it’s too important to too many people.”
“I could talk to you about hypothetical situations involving a lot of people that used to be on the show,' he added. “I think the good news is, that’s a group that’s all still in each other’s lives.”
source: people.com
