Bravo made waves on Tuesday with the announcement that Vanderpump Rules will be returning for Season 12—but with a major twist. The reality show, which has been a staple of the network for over a decade, will feature an entirely new cast, marking the end of an era for fans of the original group.
The new season will still feature Lisa Vanderpump, the show’s iconic star, and owner of the SUR restaurant, but the rest of the cast will be entirely different. According to Bravo, the new group of “close-knit SUR-vers” will share the same complex, entangled relationships that made the original cast famous. These fresh faces will now step into the spotlight, navigating their way through the trials and tribulations of life in the world of SUR.
While Season 12 is set to begin production next year, Bravo has yet to announce a premiere date or the identity of the new cast members. The announcement, however, has already sent shockwaves through the Vanderpump Rules fanbase, many of whom are still processing the intense drama that led to this major shakeup.
Executive producer Alex Baskin expressed his excitement for the new direction in a statement: “What a thrill it is to build on the legacy of this series by doing it all over again,” Baskin said. “With a 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.”
For those who have followed Vanderpump Rules since its inception, the news of a complete cast overhaul comes as a bittersweet surprise. The show, which first aired in 2013, centered around Lisa Vanderpump and her staff at her Los Angeles-based restaurant, SUR. Over the years, the series chronicled the personal and professional lives of the restaurant staff, including now-iconic figures like Scheana Shay, Tom Sandoval, Katie Maloney, Kristen Doute, Jax Taylor, and Stassi Schroeder. These cast members, with their dramatic love lives and messy interpersonal relationships, quickly became household names.
However, in March 2023, the show was rocked by a scandal that would go on to dominate headlines for months: the revelation of Tom Sandoval’s affair with Rachel Leviss, his long-time girlfriend Ariana Madix’s close friend. Dubbed “Scandoval,” the affair shattered the cast and led to an explosive fallout. Ariana Madix, who had been in a decade-long relationship with Sandoval, was left heartbroken and furious, refusing to film with Sandoval and cutting ties with him and others who were complicit in the affair.
As a result, Bravo made the decision to pause filming on Vanderpump Rules, which had already begun to film Season 12. The network took time to assess the situation, and it became clear that the drama surrounding “Scandoval” had fundamentally altered the dynamics of the show. The existing cast members had become embroiled in personal conflicts, with Madix’s emotional fallout from the affair weighing heavily on the group’s interactions. As a result, Bravo decided to start fresh with a completely new cast for the upcoming season.
In response to the news, several former cast members took to social media to express their thoughts and emotions. Lala Kent, who joined Vanderpump Rules in Season 4 and became one of its breakout stars, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram. Kent reflected on her journey with the show, recalling how she first came to Los Angeles from Salt Lake City and ended up working at SUR. “I was a young girl from Salt Lake City who made her way to LA. I would introduce myself as Lauren, but because my childhood best friend referred to me as Lala, my nickname quickly stuck,” she wrote.
Kent, who became a fan favorite throughout the years with her outspoken personality and complex relationships, went on to reflect on how Vanderpump Rules had changed her life. “Sur was a place that became home,” she continued. “I found myself not only sipping on vodka sodas there but behind a hostess stand… it still to this day is the most intimidating job I’ve ever had.” She thanked the show for giving her such a unique platform and expressed mixed feelings about the end of this chapter. “This show changed my whole life. I’m unbelievably grateful for every moment,” Kent wrote. “We rocked this bitch until the wheels fell off.”
Katie Maloney, another long-time cast member, also posted on social media about the cast change. She shared a picture from the early days of the show and expressed gratitude for the journey. “It’s a mixed bag. But I wouldn’t change a thing. Thank you for the memories and the love the last 11 years,” Maloney wrote.
Lisa Vanderpump herself shared her thoughts on the end of the current era of the show, acknowledging the impact of the cast and the show’s long-running success. “The last 12 years of filming have been an extraordinary run full of laughter, tears, and everything in between,” Vanderpump said in her statement. “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.’”
For many fans, the news of a new cast feels like the end of an iconic chapter in Vanderpump Rules history. The original cast members, including Sandoval, Madix, Kent, Maloney, and others, had become cultural icons due to their tumultuous relationships and unapologetic personalities. Their dramas, like the infamous “Scandoval,” were the driving forces behind the show’s success, keeping viewers hooked for over a decade.
Despite the cast overhaul, Bravo’s decision to keep Vanderpump at the helm shows that the franchise will maintain its connection to its roots. Vanderpump, the mastermind behind the SUR restaurant and the show, remains a key figure in the series. Fans are eager to see how she will navigate this new era of Vanderpump Rules, and whether the new cast can capture the same magic that made the original group so compelling.
Season 12 of Vanderpump Rules will undoubtedly look different, but whether the new cast can fill the shoes of their predecessors remains to be seen. Bravo has set the stage for a new chapter, and while it may be the end of an era, it could also mark the beginning of a thrilling new phase for the series. Fans will be watching closely as the next generation of SUR staffers steps into the spotlight.