The Real Housewives of Potomac

Last updated

The Real Housewives of Potomac
The Real Housewives of Potomac logo.png
Genre Reality television
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons9
No. of episodes158 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Steven Weinstock
  • Glenda Hersh
  • Lauren Eskelin
  • Lorraine Haughton-Lawson
  • Kemar Bassaragh
  • Bianca Barnes-Williams
  • Ashley McFarlin Buie
  • Andy Cohen
  • Nora Devin
  • Eric Fuller
Camera setup Multiple
Running time42 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network Bravo
ReleaseJanuary 17, 2016 (2016-01-17) 
present (present)
Related
Karen's Grande Dame Reunion

The Real Housewives of Potomac, abbreviated RHOP, is an American reality television series that premiered on January 17, 2016, on Bravo. Developed as the eighth installment of The Real Housewives franchise, it has aired eight seasons and focuses on the personal and professional lives of women living in and around Potomac, Maryland.

Contents

The cast of the current ninth season consists of Gizelle Bryant, Ashley Darby, Karen Huger, Wendy Osefo, Mia Thornton, Keiarna Stewart and Stacey Rusch, with Jacqueline Blake and newcomer Jassi Rideaux serving as "friends of the housewives". Other previously featured cast members include Katie Rost, Monique Samuels, Charrisse Jackson Jordan, Robyn Dixon, Candiace Dillard Bassett and Nneka Ihim.

Production

Seasons 1–3

Initially titled Potomac Ensemble, The Real Housewives of Potomac was announced on November 11, 2015. [1] [2] The series is the network's second attempt to develop a reality series based in the Washington, D.C. area. The first effort was The Real Housewives of D.C. , which aired in 2010 and was canceled after one season. [3]

The first season premiered on January 17, 2016, and starred Gizelle Bryant, Ashley Darby, Robyn Dixon, Karen Huger, Charrisse Jackson-Jordan and Katie Rost. [4] After the filming for the second season began, Rost was fired from the show. [5] Monique Samuels was then added to the cast for the second season which premiered on April 2, 2017. [6]

The third season premiered on April 1, 2018, with Candiace Dillard Bassett joining the cast and Jordan appearing in a "friend" capacity. [7] Jordan left the show after the third season. [8]

Seasons 4–6

The fourth season, which began filming in August 2018, premiered on May 5, 2019. [9] The season featured Dillard's wedding and Rost as a "friend of the housewives." [10] Rost was not invited back to the fourth season's reunion taping or for the following season. [11]

The fifth season premiered on August 2, 2020, with Wendy Osefo as the newest cast member and Jackson Jordan appearing as a guest. [12] In December 2020, Samuels announced her departure from the series, despite receiving a contract for the next season. [13] [14]

The sixth season premiered on July 11, 2021, with new housewife Mia Thornton and friend of the housewives Askale Davis joining. [15]

Seasons 7–present

The seventh season premiered on October 9, 2022, with Davis departing, former housewife Charrisse Jackson-Jordan returning as a friend of the housewives, alongside Jacqueline Blake. [16] Former cast members Rost and Davis both made a guest appearance.

The eighth season premiered on November 5, 2023, with new housewife Nneka Ihim and friend of the housewives Keiarna Stewart joining, alongside Jackson-Jordan returning in a "friend of the housewives" capacity. Former cast member Blake made guest appearances. [17]

In March 2024, Candiace Dillard Bassett announced her decision to exit the series, after six seasons. [18] In April 2024, Robyn Dixon confirmed she was fired from the show, after eight seasons. [19] In May 2024, Nneka Ihim confirmed her departure from the show, after only one season. [20]

The ninth season premiered on October 6, 2024, with new housewife Stacey Rusch and new friend of the housewives Jassi Rideaux joining the cast, alongside Blake returning in a “friend of” capacity and Stewart being promoted to a full-time role. Jackson-Jordan left the show again after the eighth season. [21]

Cast

Timeline of cast members

Main cast members
Cast memberSeasons
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Gizelle Bryant Main
Ashley Darby Main
Karen Huger Main
Robyn Dixon Main
Charrisse Jackson-Jordan Main Friend Guest Friend
Katie Rost Main Guest Friend Guest
Monique Samuels Main
Candiace Dillard Bassett Main
Wendy Osefo Main
Mia Thornton Main
Nneka Ihim Main
Keiarna Stewart Guest Friend Main
Stacey Rusch Main
Friends of the housewives
Askale Davis Friend Guest
Jacqueline Blake Friend Guest Friend
Jassi Rideaux Friend

Episodes

The Real Housewives of Potomac episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally airedAverage
Viewers
First airedLast aired
1 12January 17, 2016 (2016-01-17)April 17, 2016 (2016-04-17)1.62
2 14April 2, 2017 (2017-04-02)July 16, 2017 (2017-07-16)1.40
3 20April 1, 2018 (2018-04-01)August 19, 2018 (2018-08-19)1.06
4 21May 5, 2019 (2019-05-05)September 29, 2019 (2019-09-29)1.05
5 22August 2, 2020 (2020-08-02)December 27, 2020 (2020-12-27)1.03
6 22July 11, 2021 (2021-07-11)December 5, 2021 (2021-12-05)1.00
7 20October 9, 2022 (2022-10-09)March 5, 2023 (2023-03-05)0.86
8 21November 5, 2023 (2023-11-05)April 14, 2024 (2024-04-14)0.70
9 TBAOctober 6, 2024 (2024-10-06)TBATBA

Reception

Viewership

The premiere episode of The Real Housewives of Potomac received a 1.2 rating in adults 1849 years adult demographic and 2.54 million viewers in total, according to Nielsen Media Research's "live plus-3" estimates. The episode was the highest-rated premiere of any series of The Real Housewives franchise. [22] The first season of the series averaged 2.1 million viewers in the "live plus-3" estimates, becoming the network's most-watched first season of a series since The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in 2010. [23]

Bravo announced in February 2024, that with delayed viewing attributed, the season eight premiere drew the show's biggest premiere audience in its history, with 2.2 million viewers and the shows most watched season across all platforms, with 2.7 million. [24]

Critical response

The reality series has received mostly positive reviews from television critics. Amy Amatangelo, writing for The Hollywood Reporter , said, "Like its predecessors, The Real Housewives of Potomac offers escapist TV at the highest level," and also added, "You can watch with the comfort that you would never behave this way and delight in all the ridiculous shenanigans." Amatangelo praised the show's diversity by saying that the network aims for the franchise to be "an equal-opportunity offender". [25] Joi-Marie McKenzie of ABC News, reviewing the show's premiere, said, "Between the show introductions, there was plenty of shade-throwing and one-liners to keep "Housewives" enthusiasts entertained." [26]

Controversy

During the fifth season of RHOP, cast member Monique Samuels got into a physical altercation with co-star Candiace Dillard Bassett. Samuels and Dillard Bassett were both charged with second-degree assault in Maryland's District Court of Montgomery County. Both women appeared in court, and all charges were dropped. [27] Samuels did not return to The Real Housewives of Potomac for its sixth season, despite being asked back by the network.

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<i>The Real Housewives of Potomac</i> season 1 Season of television series

The first season of The Real Housewives of Potomac, an American reality television series, was broadcast on Bravo. It aired from January 17, 2016 until April 17, 2016, and was primarily filmed in Potomac, Maryland. Its executive producers are Ashley McFarlin Buie, Bianca Barnes-Williams, Glenda Hersh, Lauren Eskelin, Steven Weinstock, Lorraine Haughton-Lawson and Andy Cohen.

<i>The Real Housewives of Potomac</i> season 2 Season of television series

The second season of The Real Housewives of Potomac, an American reality television series, is broadcast on Bravo. It premiered on April 2, 2017, and is primarily filmed in Potomac, Maryland. Its executive producers are Steven Weinstock, Glenda Hersh, Lauren Eskelin, Lorraine Haughton-Lawson, Bianca Barnes-Williams, Ashley McFarlin Buie, and Andy Cohen.

Karen Huger is an American television personality. She is best known as a cast member on the reality TV series The Real Housewives of Potomac, serving as a housewife since the show's premiere in 2016.

<i>The Real Housewives of Potomac</i> season 3 Season of television series

The third season of The Real Housewives of Potomac, an American reality television series, is broadcast on Bravo. It premiered on April 1, 2018, and is primarily filmed in Potomac, Maryland. Its executive producers are Steven Weinstock, Glenda Hersh, Lauren Eskelin, Lorraine Haughton-Lawson, Thomas Kelly, and Andy Cohen.

<i>The Real Housewives of Potomac</i> season 4 Season of television series

The fourth season of The Real Housewives of Potomac, an American reality television series, was broadcast on Bravo. It premiered on May 5, 2019, and is primarily filmed in Potomac, Maryland. Its executive producers are Steven Weinstock, Glenda Hersh, Lauren Eskelin, Lorraine Haughton-Lawson, Thomas Kelly and Andy Cohen.

<i>The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City</i> American reality television series

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,, is an American reality television series originally developed and cast by Los Angeles-based production company InventTV and then Shed Media. It is broadcast on Bravo. The Salt Lake City series is the tenth installment of The Real Housewives franchise, and it follows the personal and professional lives of women who live in or near Salt Lake City, Utah.

<i>The Real Housewives of Potomac</i> season 5 Season of television series

The fifth season of The Real Housewives of Potomac, an American reality television series, is broadcast on Bravo. It aired from August 2 to December 27, 2020, and is primarily filmed in Potomac, Maryland. Its executive producers are Steven Weinstock, Glenda Hersh, Lauren Eskelin, Lorraine Haughton-Lawson, Thomas Kelly and Andy Cohen. The season focuses on the lives of Gizelle Bryant, Ashley Darby, Robyn Dixon, Karen Huger, Monique Samuels, Candiace Dillard Bassett and Wendy Osefo.

Nneka Colleen Ihim is an American lawyer, and the founder and CEO of Hello Africa. She was a main cast member on The Real Housewives of Potomac for its eighth season.

<i>The Real Housewives of Potomac</i> season 6 Season of television series

The sixth season of The Real Housewives of Potomac, an American reality television series, is broadcast on Bravo. It premiered on July 11, 2021, and is primarily filmed in Potomac, Maryland. Its executive producers are Steven Weinstock, Glenda Hersh, Lauren Eskelin, Lorraine Haughton-Lawson, Thomas Kelly and Andy Cohen. The season focuses on the lives of Gizelle Bryant, Ashley Darby, Robyn Dixon, Karen Huger, Candiace Dillard Bassett, Wendy Osefo and Mia Thornton. Additionally, Askale Davis is featured as a friend of the housewives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Candiace Dillard Bassett</span> American reality television personality

Candiace Dillard Bassett, is an American television personality, singer and actress. She is recognized for winning Miss United States in 2013 and starring in The Real Housewives of Potomac from 2018 to 2024. In 2021, she released her debut album Deep Space.

Monique Samuels is an American television personality. She is known as a cast member on the reality television series The Real Housewives of Potomac and Love & Marriage: DC.

<i>The Real Housewives of Potomac</i> season 7 Season of television series

The seventh season of The Real Housewives of Potomac, an American reality television series, is broadcast on Bravo. It premiered on October 9, 2022, and is primarily filmed in Potomac, Maryland. Its executive producers are Steven Weinstock, Glenda Hersh, Lauren Eskelin, Lorraine Haughton-Lawson, Nora Devin, Eric Fuller, and Andy Cohen.

<i>The Real Housewives of Potomac</i> season 8 Season of television series

The eighth season of The Real Housewives of Potomac, an American reality television series, was broadcast on Bravo. It premiered on November 5, 2023, and is primarily filmed in Potomac, Maryland. The executive producers are Steven Weinstock, Glenda Hersh, Lauren Eskelin, Lorraine Haughton-Lawson, Nora Devin, Eric Fuller, and Andy Cohen.

<i>The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Thailand</i> Season of television series

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Thailand, the third season of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, an American reality television series, premiered on Peacock on March 23, 2023. The season was filmed in Thailand, with a luxurious villa as the primary location. Its executive producers are Lisa Shannon, Dan Peirson, Darren Ward, Glenda Cox, and Andy Cohen.

<i>The Real Housewives of Potomac</i> season 9 Season of television series

The ninth season of The Real Housewives of Potomac, an American reality television series, is broadcast on Bravo. It premiered on October 6, 2024. The series is primarily filmed in Potomac, Maryland. Its executive producers are Steven Weinstock, Glenda Hersh, Lauren Eskelin, Lorraine Haughton-Lawson, Nora Devin Zimmerman, Leola Westbrook-Lawrence and Andy Cohen.

References

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