The “Real Housewives of New York City” reboot may have brought a fresh cast to the screen, but according to OG star Luann de Lesseps, that’s exactly where Bravo went wrong. In a recent interview with Parade, de Lesseps shared her candid thoughts on the revamped series, the franchise’s past, and the possibility of her return.
“I think that they should combine the cast,” de Lesseps suggested, offering what she believes to be a simple fix to the reboot’s struggles. While fans were curious when Bravo introduced an all-new, younger lineup, the decision didn’t sit well with the longtime RHONY audience — a fanbase deeply connected to the original women who helped shape the franchise.
“I mean, I think the first problem was that they had an all-new cast and they didn’t keep the OGs,” de Lesseps explained. “I think that was a big problem, and I’m sure they realized that was probably not the best. But it is what it is. It happened, so let’s see what they’re gonna do moving forward. Watch what happens! You gotta watch what happens!”
RHONY originally premiered in 2008 and ran for 13 seasons before it went on hiatus in 2021. De Lesseps doesn’t mince words when reflecting on the legacy of the original show, calling it nothing short of “epic.”
“It’s like Sex and the City, right? Those days — you capture them and, thank God, they’re captured on film, right? Because I can’t get those back. It’s that kind of thing,” she reminisced.
Talks of a possible return or reboot involving the original cast have swirled for a while, and though Luann doesn’t confirm anything, she’s not ruling it out either. “I mean, listen: know, they talked about [bringing it back],” she said, though she admits she’s unsure where Bravo — or her former co-stars — currently stand on the matter.
With many of the original Housewives now living in Florida — including Ramona Singer, Sonja Morgan (who “finally sold that townhouse, thank God”), and Jill Zarin — any reunion would come with logistical challenges. Still, Luann remains close to the New York scene along with Kelly Killoren Bensimon and Dorinda Medley.
So, what’s next? Luann leaves the door cracked open: “We’ll see what they cook up. I never say never. I say maybe.”
