Copyright The Hollywood Reporter
There’s been a shift change at Vanderpump Rules. Almost one year after Bravo announced that its No. 1 reality series would be getting a reboot, the network has finally revealed the all-new cast for season 12. Following season 11 — the season after the “Scandoval” season that changed everything Vanderpump Rules now has a new staff at SUR, the Los Angeles restaurant owned by Lisa Vanderpump around which the reality series orbits. Bravo announced the cast on Monday and based on the trailer (below), it appears there were many servers ready to step in to try and fill the shoes of the outgoing cast, which included Lala Kent, Scheana Shay, Brock Davies, Tom Schwartz, Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval, James Kennedy and Katie Maloney. The new season premieres Dec. 2 at 9 p.m. on Bravo. When Bravo announced that its hit reality series would be returning for season 12, that news came with the bombshell that season 12 would feature an all-new cast. The series, which was born as a spinoff of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, was on hiatus following the aftermath of the castmate affair scandal that catapulted the original cast into the zeitgeist, producing eye-popping ratings followed by mixed audience results. Season 12, Bravo had said, would feature Vanderpump, Vanderpump Rules executive producer and the boss of SUR, with a new group of “close-knit SUR-vers who are as complicatedly involved with one another as their iconic predecessors,” according to the announcement at the time. “Under Lisa Vanderpump’s watchful eye, the West Hollywood mainstay SUR — and now TomTom — welcomes the next batch of servers, hosts and bartenders rife with plenty of drama, situationships and frenemies.” To usher in the new season on Nov. 25 at 9 p.m., Bravo will be airing a “Raise Your Glass to 11 Seasons” look back at over a decade of Vanderpump Rules highlights, which will include never-before-seen footage and a first look at season 12. Here’s an updated logline: “This season on Vanderpump Rules, the deep-rooted, dynamic group of friends, frenemies and lovers that have been working for Lisa Vanderpump at SUR for years are shaking things up – from pump-tinis to chaos. Despite new uniforms and a few fresh faces in the mix, the drama remains as messy and complicated as their iconic predecessors.” And here’s the new cast, below: Venus Binkley sees himself as the glue that holds the SUR staff together and the confidant 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. When he finds himself roped into the drama between Marcus, Kim and Natalie, diplomacy goes out the window and he’s forced to pick sides. Aspiring actor Jason Cohen is a happy-go-lucky server who has charmed everyone at SUR. His infectious personality and good looks have won over a few of the ladies and disarmed many of the men. He works at SUR alongside his cousin Chris and the pair have been attached at the hip since childhood. In between acting classes and shifts at SUR, Jason tries to date a new co-worker, but his attempts backfire. Shayne Davis winds up in the center of the drama at SUR, even though he’s the only one of their friends who doesn’t work there. He’s laser-focused on his sobriety, but that doesn’t stop him from a night out on the town. Between acting, improv and screenwriting, Shayne’s social calendar is close to capacity, but he always makes time for dating. With one foot in and one foot out of the pool of ladies at SUR, Shayne might just make a splash he’s not ready to clean up. Jason’s cousin Chris Hahn is a bartender at SUR and has been living in Los Angeles for three years. He moved to the city with a dream of becoming an actor, but pivoted to pursue music and views SUR as a steppingstone to larger opportunities. Single and mingling, Chris is looking for a partner and a long-term commitment. When Chris and Audrey start dating, discussions of a future trip cause complications. Kim Suarez works at SUR while juggling her aspirations in the entertainment industry and a tumultuous relationship with her boyfriend, Marcus. When others in the group meddle, Kim wonders if her on-again, off-again romance will affect her performance at SUR. Angelica Jensen is the newest addition to SUR’s staff, but immediately makes waves within the group. She set her sights on modeling, acting and … friends Jason and Shayne, but a game of broken telephone threatens their possible connections. Marcus Johnson has been working at SUR for years, but after the loss of his parents, he has been struggling to focus at work and prioritize his relationship with his girlfriend, Kim. Closest to Venus and Shayne, he leans on his friends to help him move forward. Marcus is all about new beginnings and is shifting his energy to his DJ career and social life, but will need to learn if his fresh perspective and newfound career ambitions will strengthen his relationship or strain it. Audrey Lingle is all bubbly charm and girl-next-door charisma, making her loved by (almost) everyone on the staff. She’s recently single, chasing new flings and her dream of being on the big screen, but when someone at SUR catches her eye, a certain bad boy might just get the best of her. Natalie Maguire has been SUR’s lead bartender for two years and is ready to level up to bar manager, but Lisa may not be on the same page after her recent outburst. Closest in the group to Venus, the two started at SUR on the same day and have been inseparable ever since. Outside of SUR, Natalie is pursuing her pop music career with full force but still makes time for men, making her love life a major source of friction within the group. Demy Selem has been the manager at SUR for seven years and as the longest standing employee among the group, she knows all the inner workings of the SUR employees. Demy is all business when it comes to her role at the restaurant, but being the boss has an impact on her friendships, especially with Natalie. Can she sip the tea with the crew and also call the shots? Vanderpump Rules is produced by 32 Flavors and Evolution Media, an MGM Company. Alex Baskin, Michael Beck, Natalie Neurauter, Brian McCarthy, Joe Kingsley, Jenn Levy, Anne Swann, Barry Poznick, Vanderpump and husband Ken Todd executive produce.
