Say hello to the good ‘ol boys and girls! The cast of Southern Charm is switching it up once again for season 8 — with an old cast member coming back and the possibility of a few new faces.
The Bravo series, which premiered in 2014, has hooked fans in for years thanks to the charming nuances of Charleston, South Carolina, and the wild and crazy ways of some of its residents.
Kathryn Dennis, Shep Rose and Craig Conover are the only original stars still standing after Cameran Eubanks walked away from the series ahead of season 7. Thomas Ravenel also exited the show after being arrested and pleading guilty to assault charges in 2018.
Despite losing some big names, Southern Charm has kept the drama high, and fans continue to tune in to see what will happen next thanks to the additions of Austen Kroll and his ex-girlfriend Madison LeCroy. Last season, fans also met John Pringle and Cameran’s pal Leva Bonaparte.
When it comes to season 8, however, the stars have been hinting that more change may be coming.
After Craig and Austen made headlines for their friendship with Kristin Cavallari in late 2020, the lawyer exclusively told Us Weekly that Cavallari could pop up on the reality series.
“It’s not ruled out at all,” Craig said in April 2021. “If [she and BFF Justin Anderson are] at the party, then yeah. I think some of our friends from the past six months, you’ll get to see a decent amount of them, which will be really fun.”
The Laguna Beach alum, for her part, told Us that she has no plans to make a cameo.
“They say, ‘Never say never,’ but I can confidently say I’m never going to do Southern Charm,” Cavallari exclusively told Us the same month. “I love Craig. I don’t know! I don’t know why he was saying that stuff.”
While the Hills alum isn’t gearing up for another Charleston visit just yet, Craig’s girlfriend, Paige DeSorbo, and some of their Winter House cast mates may join for an episode or two.
“Bravo is kind of the new Marvel universe [with] everyone becoming friends,” Craig told Us in October 2021, hinting a crossover on Southern Charm could happen. “I think everyone that likes to watch it has some really exciting stuff to see in the next several months coming up.”
Scroll down to see what we know about Southern Charm season 8:
Credit: John Valkos/Tommy Garcia/Bravo
Who’s In?
According to Bravo’s cast lineup, OGs Shep, Kathryn and Craig are set to return. Season four addition Austen and season 6 star Madison are also coming back, as are season 7 newbies John and Leva.
Credit: Tommy Garcia/Bravo
Naomie Olindo Is Back!
Us confirmed in September 2021 that Naomie will be showing up from time to time this season after exiting the show after season 6 in 2020. “The understanding is Naomie will be on the show, but not as a full-time cast member,” a source close to production exclusively told Us at the time. “Her role is more of a friend on the show.”
Credit: Bravo
Will Paige DeSorbo Make an Appearance?
“Well, I am in a relationship with someone who is on Southern Charm. So you probably will see me pop up here and there, but we’ll see,” Paige exclusively told Us in October 2021, teasing her romance with Craig. “Everyone that Craig hangs out with could not be nicer to me. I’ve met pretty much everyone.”
Credit: Courtesy of Ausetn Kroll/Instagram
'Winter House' Drama?
Craig, who filmed Winter House with Austen in February 2021, hinted that the mens’ drama on the spinoff series could carry over to season 8 of the Charleston-based show.
“What’s fun is that you have Winter House, you have Summer House and then you have Southern Charm. So, it’s a little nerve-wracking, but I’m also really excited to be back with everyone,” the Sewing Down South founder exclusively told Us in October 2021. “You’ll see our dynamics from Winter House then carry into this summer and who knows how that’s going to go.”
Credit: Courtesy of Madison LeCroy/Instagram
Relationship Updates
Us reported in July 2021 that Naomie — who used to date Craig — split from boyfriend Metul Shah after three years of dating.
Austen's ex Madison, for her part, confirmed in October 2021 that she is engaged to Brett Randle after seven months of dating.
Credit: Courtesy of Kathryn Dennis/Instagram
Filming Has Begun
Craig and Austen confirmed in October 2021 during their Winter House watch party that they were filming the new season in Charleston. The duo missed the spinoff series’ premiere party so they could stay in town and shoot.
Credit: Courtesy Craig Conover/Instagram
Keeping Things Light
“Friends join our friend group [this season] and we’re just getting into it. We’ve had a couple of meet-ups and nothing really crazy, I don’t think,” Austen told Decider in October 2021, noting that the cast has been filming for three weeks. “I don’t know what everyone else is filming when I’m not there, but I think that we’re also trying to keep it lighter than last year. Last year was very heavy and ominous and a lot of fights.”
The “Pillows and Beer” podcast cohost explained that some of the stars talked before filming began in hopes of making things more upbeat. “We were like, ‘Can we just have a little more fun, guys? We’re actually friends and people like to see us being friends, so can we be friends?’ And I think a lot of people have that mindset,” he said, adding that fans will also see his beer journey continue to play out on screen in season 8.
Credit: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA; Courtesy Naomie Olindo/Instagram
The Naomie/Craig Factor
During an October 2021 appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Craig told fans how his ex is coping following her messy split from Metul.
“She’s been really happy. I think she’s relieved in a weird way,” he said. “And she’s happy to be back in Charleston and things happen for a reason. I don’t think she was that happy in her relationship. But I think she’s just happy to be living her own life again.”
The following night on WWHL, Austen was asked if there have been “sparks” between Craig and Naomie since she returned to Charleston. He replied: “This is something that’s being covered on Southern Charm and we’re filming right now, so that is something that I will not and cannot talk about.”
Credit: Courtesy of Leva Bonaparte/Instagram
It’s a Wrap
Leva shared a photo via her Instagram Story in December 2021, confirming that filming for season 8 had come to an end after a winter wrap party. The restaurateur also raised a few eyebrows following the bash when she unfollowed Kathryn, Craig, Austen, Madison, Venita Aspen and Paige.
Credit: Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock
Craig’s Post-Filming Tease
During a March 2022 appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Craig promised that season 8 will bring the same energy as early years of the series. He also noted he was “a big proponent of” his ex Naomie’s return.
“She apologized to everyone that she needed to. And she said everything everyone has always wanted her to say to me. And great. She said she was sorry. And was honest about it,” he said. “It brings it all home and I think people are going to enjoy this season.”
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