Roxanne 
Dolores Catania is teasing a completely different chapter of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, and while the show may have a fresh cast and a new direction, she is making it clear that viewers can still expect plenty of drama.
After more than two years off the air, RHONJ is preparing to return for Season 15 in December 2026, with Dolores joining Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga as the only three returning Housewives.
The season will also introduce six new women: Malvina Blloshmi, Xio Cammarota, Juliette Collazo, Natia Rufolo, Deeba Patel and Vanessa Barrera.
And according to Dolores, the newcomers are bringing a completely different energy to the franchise.
Speaking to Us Weekly for its latest cover story, Dolores explained that Bravo wanted to do more than simply replace cast members following the toxic environment that ultimately led to the show being placed on pause after Season 14.
“I felt like Bravo definitely wanted to go in a different direction and give something new, and it’s new in more ways than just new people,” Dolores revealed.
“The girls are different than we were. It’s a new generation, new things. I’m excited for it. I really like the girls.”
Dolores’ comments come after RHONJ’s future remained uncertain following an explosive Season 14, which saw the cast divided into opposing groups and several women refusing to communicate.
The longstanding feud between Teresa and Melissa had reached a breaking point, making it increasingly difficult for the cast to move forward together.
However, with Teresa and Melissa now reconciled, Dolores believes viewers will be particularly interested in seeing how the sisters-in-law interact while getting to know the new Housewives.
“They’re excited, they’re hungry,” Dolores said of the newcomers.
“So, what will appeal to it? No. 1 is to see Teresa and Melissa back together, and then, the excitement of getting to know new people.”
But Dolores warned that the new women may not be fully prepared for everything that comes with being part of RHONJ.
“These girls have had their own things, but they haven’t seen the wrath of us yet,” she teased.
While Dolores emphasized that she genuinely likes the new cast, she made it clear that the women are not afraid to confront one another.
“These ladies, I like them, but don’t think that they don’t cross each other,” Dolores explained.
“You’re not going to be bored this season. Trust me when I tell you, but it’s a breath of fresh air.”
The comments are particularly interesting considering how much criticism RHONJ faced during its last few seasons, with viewers growing frustrated by the constant fighting and inability of the group to move forward.
Rather than repeating the same conflicts, Dolores suggests that Season 15 will offer a new kind of drama, with fresh relationships and personalities driving the storylines.
Dolores also opened up about several of the newcomers and revealed which women have already made an impression on her.
One of the standouts is Juliette Collazo, whom Dolores described as a particularly strong personality.
“I’m very close with Juliette, she’s funny,” Dolores shared.
“Juliette is witty and very principled.”
Dolores explained that Juliette’s personality makes her especially entertaining during disagreements.
“She’s a very — I want to say — morally correct person, and when she fights with someone, which you’ll see, I find her very funny. Like, her comebacks.”
Dolores added, “She’s a powerhouse. I’ll tell you that.”
As for the other newcomers, Dolores described Natia Rufolo as a total “girl’s girl,” while calling Vanessa Barrera “the angel of the group.”
She also praised Malvina Blloshmi for being “very sweet” and highlighted the friendship she has developed with Vanessa.
But it appears Deeba Patel is already providing some unforgettable moments.
According to Dolores, Melissa has been particularly entertained by Deeba’s outspoken personality and the things that come out of her mouth.
The praise comes as Teresa and Melissa have also expressed excitement about filming with the new cast.
Teresa previously told Us Weekly that she appreciates how the newcomers can stand on their own without needing to attack other women to make themselves relevant.
Melissa, meanwhile, teased that some of the new arguments are so entertaining that she finds herself laughing while the women are screaming.
“Some of the drama is so funny,” Melissa said. “As they’re screaming, I’m hysterical.”
However, Melissa also revealed that one familiar RHONJ storyline has not disappeared.
When asked whether their marriages were left alone this season, Teresa said hers was, while Melissa admitted that her relationship with Joe Gorga once again becomes a target.
“Not me. I never get left alone. Every season they come for my marriage,” Melissa teased.
“You’ll see. I always get a little something thrown at me.”
As for Dolores, viewers will also see a much more personal side of her life when RHONJ returns.
The longtime Housewife revealed that the upcoming season features more of her children and family than viewers have seen in previous years.
“Fans will see my kids more. You see my family more, you see a lot of wedding planning,” Dolores shared.
Dolores is preparing to marry her longtime love, Paulie Connell, and her family has also been celebrating several major milestones.
Her son, Frankie Catania Jr., married Nicole Perricho in August, while her daughter Gabrielle became engaged to Mike Tallia earlier this year.
Dolores explained that Gabrielle has not always appeared frequently on RHONJ because of her demanding schedule.
“You don’t see a lot of my daughter in past seasons because she was always working or in school or doing conservation work in Africa somewhere,” she said.
“I like that you get to see more of my family this year.”
One moment Dolores is especially excited for viewers to see is an emotional family conversation.
“There’s a beautiful family scene where we all sit down and talk, which I love,” she shared.
“You see a lot of me and Paul too.”
The renewed focus on family appears to be part of RHONJ’s larger transformation as Bravo moves away from the divided cast dynamic that dominated previous seasons.
