‘Vanderpump Rules,’ the hit Bravo reality show, is gearing up for an explosive Season 12 in 2025, and fans are buzzing with anticipation. After a dramatic Season 11 rocked by the infamous “Scandoval,” the show is undergoing a major transformation. Here’s everything you need to know about the new season, including cast updates, production details, and what to expect from the drama at SUR.
A Fresh Start for Season 12
Bravo announced in November 2024 that ‘Vanderpump Rules’ has been renewed for a 12th season, but with a significant twist: an entirely new cast, except for the show’s namesake, Lisa Vanderpump. The decision comes after a divided Season 11, where tensions from Tom Sandoval’s affair with Rachel “Raquel” Leviss created challenges for filming, particularly with Ariana Madix refusing to share scenes with Sandoval. The network decided to hit the reset button, returning the show to its original premise of following the young, messy lives of SUR and TomTom employees in West Hollywood.
Production for Season 12 began in April 2025, with filming already underway at SUR. Lisa Vanderpump, the executive producer and restaurateur, remains the anchor of the show, guiding a fresh group of servers, bartenders, and hosts described as “close-knit SUR-vers who are as complicatedly involved with one another as their iconic predecessors.” A retrospective special celebrating the past 11 seasons’ heartbreaks, friendships, and scandals will air before the Season 12 premiere, though an exact premiere date is still to be announced, with late 2025 or early 2026 as the likely window.
Cast Updates: Who’s In and Who’s Out?
The biggest news for Season 12 is the complete cast overhaul. Longtime stars like Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval, Scheana Shay, Katie Maloney, Tom Schwartz, Lala Kent, and James Kennedy will not return as main cast members. This marks the end of an era for the original group, who have been with the show since its debut in 2013 as a spin-off from ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.’ Lisa Vanderpump expressed gratitude for the original cast, saying, “The last 12 years of filming have been an extraordinary run full of laughter, tears, and everything in between. I can’t thank enough those who have shared their lives. How I love you all.”
While the new cast members’ names have not been officially confirmed by Bravo, a report from Reality Blurb in March 2025 revealed some potential names, including Demyana Selem, described as a Scheana look-alike, along with Gabriela Bella, Gabrielle Cagan, Marcus Johnson, and Natalie Maguire. These new SUR employees, reportedly in their 20s, are expected to bring “insane” and “messy” drama, according to SUR manager Peter Madrigal, who will also return as a familiar face.
Meanwhile, several original cast members are transitioning to other projects within the Bravo universe. Lala Kent, Scheana Shay, Tom Schwartz, and Shay’s husband, Brock Davies, are set to appear in Season 2 of the ‘Vanderpump Rules’ spin-off ‘The Valley,’ alongside alums Jax Taylor, Brittany Cartwright, and Kristen Doute. Ariana Madix is thriving outside the show, hosting ‘Love Island USA’ Season 7, performing as Roxie Hart in Broadway’s ‘Chicago,’ and running her West Hollywood sandwich shop, Something About Her, with Katie Maloney. Tom Sandoval will appear on Season 3 of ‘The Traitors,’ while James Kennedy continues his DJ career, though he faced legal trouble in December 2024 with a misdemeanor domestic violence charge.
What to Expect from Season 12
Season 12 promises to recapture the raw, chaotic energy of the show’s early days, focusing on a new group of ambitious, drama-prone restaurant staff navigating hookups, feuds, and friendships. Lisa Vanderpump teased that the season will have a “different energy” but will stay true to the show’s roots of showcasing the complications of running a restaurant and the interpersonal chaos that comes with it. Executive producer Alex Baskin emphasized the excitement of building on the show’s legacy, noting that the new cast consists of “besties” who work and live together, creating a “really fun” dynamic.
Peter Madrigal, who has been with the show since Season 1, hinted at intense drama brewing at SUR, saying, “There’s a lot of drama going on at the restaurant. There always is … It’s going to be insane.” With Lisa Vanderpump at the helm, the new season is expected to deliver the messy situationships and frenemy dynamics that made ‘Vanderpump Rules’ a cultural phenomenon.
Why the Reboot?
The decision to reboot ‘Vanderpump Rules’ stems from the fallout of “Scandoval,” the 2023 cheating scandal involving Tom Sandoval, Ariana Madix, and Rachel Leviss, which brought record ratings but fractured the cast. Ariana’s refusal to film with Sandoval created production challenges, and many original cast members had moved on to new life stages, including starting families and businesses, making the show’s original premise less sustainable. Bravo opted for a fresh start to keep the series vibrant, mirroring the successful formula of its early seasons.
Where to Watch and Stay Updated
‘Vanderpump Rules’ Season 12 will air on Bravo, with episodes available to stream on Peacock. Fans can catch up on Seasons 1-11 on Peacock to relive the drama of the original cast. For the latest updates on the premiere date and new cast reveals, keep an eye on Bravo’s official announcements or follow @VanderpumpRules on X.
Final Thoughts
The ‘Vanderpump Rules’ reboot is a bold move to refresh a beloved series while staying true to its roots. With Lisa Vanderpump leading a new generation of SUR-vers, Season 12 is poised to deliver the drama, romance, and chaos fans crave. Whether you’re a longtime viewer or new to the Bravo universe, this season promises to be a wild ride. Will the new cast live up to the legacy of the OGs? Only time will tell, but one thing’s certain: SUR is about to get messy again.
Stay tuned for more updates on ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Season 12!
