Vanderpump Rules Season 12 Bears ‘Little Similarity’ to Previous Seasons
Vanderpump Rules enthusiasts should prepare for a different experience in season 12 compared to previous installments.
On the Tuesday, June 10 episode of the “LadyGang” podcast, the show’s executive producer, Alex Baskin, hinted that Vanderpump Rules has undergone significant changes due to a recasting of the cast.
“We’re currently working on it and are really excited. We’re returning to our foundational principles,” Baskin remarked. “It’s a circle of friends in their 20s who not only work together but also lead their lives intertwined.”
This revamp has allowed the network to have a fresh start. “It’s a fun ride with low stakes but high intensity that I genuinely enjoy,” he added. “It has very little in common with the original aside from SUR and Lisa [Vanderpump] being a central figure. We are returning to that life stage.”
Originally launched in 2013 as a spinoff of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, the Vanderpump Rules franchise evolved into a cultural sensation, mostly featuring the same faces throughout the seasons until Tom Sandoval’s breakup with Ariana Madix because of his affair with Rachel “Raquel” Leviss cast doubt on the show’s future.
Bravo initially halted production on season 12 after a fallout among the cast following Scandoval, before announcing in November 2024 that a new cast would be taking the reins after 11 seasons.
“The past 12 years of filming have been an incredible journey filled with laughter, tears, and everything in between,” Lisa, 64, stated at that time. “I cannot express enough gratitude to those who have shared their lives. I love you all.”
Lisa expressed her enthusiasm for the new cast, stating, “In the restaurant industry, one shift naturally leads to another. Here’s to the next generation of Vanderpump Rules.”
Despite some criticism surrounding this decision, Baskin is eager to see the show’s direction moving forward.
“I appreciate the doubt that people have,” he shared on Tuesday. “I welcome the skepticism. I want viewers to tune in and find love for it despite their reservations. I truly believe they will. Though the new cast has large shoes to fill, everything is going very well, and I’m super excited to unveil that.”
Baskin also discussed the casting process for the new iteration of Vanderpump Rules, saying, “On one hand, it’s crucial to find individuals who genuinely want to be on the show and are prepared to lay everything on the line. On the other hand, we steer clear of those who are overly eager or trying to fabricate a scene. Authenticity is key, and we want our cast to really be present.”
According to the producer, it was an extensive process.
“We held discussions with the group and gradually pieced everything together. At the core, it is a genuine friend group. Hence, the connections are authentic, allowing a deeper understanding, while also being a closed universe since we’re not broadcasting it to everyone,” he explained. “I believe the group we selected is ready to reveal their true selves. They have certainly delivered on that front.”
He concluded: “I don’t think they are overly enthusiastic fans of the original in a way that’s limiting. They respect what they are stepping into but aren’t attempting to rehash former glories. They have been working at SUR together for some time, which has been advantageous in guiding us to a group that has intertwining narratives that are genuinely entertaining.”
Vanderpump Rules is currently available for streaming on Peacock.
