Nearly a year after Bravo announced it would completely reboot its Emmy-nominated reality series Vanderpump Rules with a new cast and start from scratch, the network has set a December 2 premiere date and released the first trailer for season 12. The names of the new cast members are as follows.
During season 10 of “Vanderpump Rules” in spring 2023, the veteran Bravo show hit new ratings highs due to the on-air cheating scandal that became known as “Scandoval.” The show made international news, skyrocketed ratings and was nominated for two Emmy Awards. However, rifts within the group, with some of the cast siding with (cheated) Ariana Madix and others agreeing to film with (cheated) Tom Sandoval, made filming season 11 nearly unsustainable. As a result, Bravo and the show’s producers decided to reboot “Vanderpump Rules” by inviting back the staff at Lisa Vanderpump’s West Hollywood restaurant, SUR, rather than keeping some of the show’s cast members back.
In addition to setting the premiere date for Season 12 of Vanderpump Rules, it was announced that “Raise Your Glass,” an homage to the show’s first 11 seasons (named after the show’s theme song), will premiere on Bravo on November 25th. According to a press release, “The special will pass the glass to new staff members and feature a special first look at the upcoming season.”
“Vanderpump Rules” first aired on Bravo on January 7, 2013, as a spin-off of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” in which Vanderpump starred at the time. The show revolved around servers and bartenders at SUR, with Vanderpump presiding over both their professional and (somehow) personal lives, and was about the messy, bed-hopping lives of struggling actors, musicians, and models in Los Angeles who needed restaurant jobs to make ends meet. The film turns freshman cast members Jax Taylor, Kristen Doute, Stassi Schroeder, Shayna Shay, Tom Schwartz and Sandoval into reality stars, who will later be joined by Madix, Lala Kent, James Kennedy and Brittany Cartwright.
The official logline for season 12 reads, “This season is Vanderpump Rules,” and reads, “A persistent and dynamic group of friends, adversaries, and lovers who have been working for Lisa Vanderpump at SUR for years shake things up, from Pumptini to chaos. Despite new uniforms and a few fresh faces, the drama remains just as messy and complex as its iconic predecessor.”
“Vanderpump Rules,” which also streams on Peacock, is produced by MGM Company’s 32 Flavors and Evolution Media. Alex Baskin, Michael Beck, Natalie Neuloter, Brian McCarthy, Joe Kingsley, Jen Levy, Anne Swan, Barry Poznick, Vanderpump, and Ken Todd serve as executive producers.
Here’s Bravo’s new cast list for “Vanderpump Rules.”
Venus Binkley sees herself as the glue that holds the SUR staff together, the confidante everyone turns to for advice and the latest gossip. Venus feels out of place in the West Hollywood dating scene, but his friends encourage him to step out of his comfort zone. He finds himself caught up in the drama between Marcus, Kim, and Natalie, where diplomacy goes out the window and he is forced to choose sides.
Aspiring actor Jason Cohen is a lucky server who charms everyone at SUR. His infectious personality and good looks attracted several women and attracted many men. He works at SUR with his cousin Chris, and the two have been friends ever since they were kids. In between acting classes and shifts at SUR, Jason tries to date a new co-worker, but the attempt backfires.
Shane Davis ends up at the center of the drama at SUR, despite being the only one of his friends who doesn’t work there. He’s focused on getting sober, but that doesn’t stop him from going out on the town at night. Between acting, improv, and writing, Shayne’s social calendar is pretty full, but he always makes time for a date. Shane, who has one foot in and one foot out of the SUR women’s pool, might make a splash he’s not ready to clean up.
Jason’s cousin, Chris Hahn, is a bartender at SUR and has lived in Los Angeles for three years. He moved to the city with dreams of becoming an actor, but pivoted to pursuing music and sees SUR as a stepping stone to bigger opportunities. Chris, a single working professional, is looking for a partner and long-term commitment. When Chris and Audrey begin dating, discussions about future travel become complicated.
Angelica Jensen is a new addition to the SUR staff, but she has quickly made a splash within the group. She set her sights on models, actresses, and friends Jason and Shane, but a broken phone game threatened their chances.
Marcus Johnson has been working at SUR for years, but after losing his parents, he has trouble focusing on work and prioritizing his relationship with his girlfriend, Kim. Closest to Venus and Shayne, he relies on his friends to move forward. Marcus is desperate for a fresh start and shifts his energy into his DJ career and social life, but he’ll have to find out whether his fresh perspective and newfound career ambitions will strengthen or strain his relationships.
Audrey Lingle has a bubbly charm and girl-next-door charisma that endears her to nearly everyone on the staff. She’s recently single, pursuing a new love and dreams of appearing on the big screen, but a certain villain may take advantage of her when someone from SUR catches her eye.
Natalie Maguire has been head bartender at SUR for two years and is poised to be promoted to bar manager, but Lisa may not be on the same page after her recent outburst. The two closest to Venus in the group started at SUR on the same day and have been inseparable ever since. Outside of SUR, Natalie is fully pursuing her pop music career, but her love life is a source of great friction within the group, as she still makes time for men.
Demy Sellem has been a manager at SUR for seven years, and as the group’s longest-serving employee, she knows the ins and outs of SUR employees. Demy is all business when it comes to her role at the restaurant, but being the boss affects her friendships, especially with Natalie. Could she even order shots while having tea with the crew?
Kim Suarez works at SUR while juggling her aspirations in the entertainment industry and her rocky relationship with her boyfriend Marcus. When the rest of the group interjects, Kim wonders if being in and out of relationships will affect her performance at SUR.
