The announcements were made ahead of Bravo's Fan Fest event in Charleston, S.C. Ahead of the Bravo Fan Fest event taking place in Charleston, South Carolina this weekend, the network renewed three shows (“In the City,” “Next Gen NYC” and “Southern Hospitality”) and ordered two new ones, “Next Gen Atlanta” and “Charmed by a Southern Monster.” That last title is Bravo’s first scripted microdrama, and will be led by “Southern Charm” star Craig Conover. (Full loglines below.) “In the City” — a spinoff of “Summer House,” which became a cultural sensation in its 10th season — was renewed for a second season, and has already begun filming in New York City. Though no cast was announced for any of Bravo’s new or returning unscripted shows, it’s safe to say that “Summer House” stars Kyle Cooke and Lindsay Hubbard will be back (especially since they’re panelists at Bravo Fan Fest).
Kyle’s ex Amanda Batula, however, hasn’t been filming, and isn’t expected to return as a full-time cast member — though she could eventually film scenes with Kyle. West Wilson, who’s still dating Amanda, appeared on Season 1 of “In the City” before they went public about their relationship, and also hasn’t filmed at all. (He was recently cast in the Netflix competition series “Million Dollar Secret.”) The fourth season of the Charleston-set “Southern Hospitality” finished airing in June, and its fans within the Bravosphere worried that none of the show’s castmates were posting selfies together over the summer, which is when it’s traditionally been in production. Those observers need not have fretted, as it turns out, since the show has now been officially renewed.
Though its cast is still in flux, Leva Bonaparte, who was on “Southern Charm” and whose Charleston restaurant Republic has been the show’s base of operations, said in an Instagram reply that she’s “moving on to a new chapter in my life” and she “appreciated my time there but it’s no longer serving me.” (She and her husband Lamar Bonaparte are still listed as executive producers, though.) As for the rest of the cast, the Bravo Fan Fest lineup might offer guidance once more: Joe Bradley, Maddi Reese, Michols Peña, Mia Alario, Bradley Carter and TJ Dinch are among the panelists. Again, no cast was announced, but Gia Giudice and Ava Dash are appearing at Fan Fest, and most of the cast is expected to return. Clearly, Bravo’s “Next Gen” experiment has been deemed a success, since the network has ordered “Next Gen Atlanta,” which is expected to follow the pattern of mixing the children of Bravolebrities with the offspring of well-known Atlantans.
Last but not least is a series greenlight for the microdrama “Charmed by a Southern Monster,” which has key art and a logline that need seen and read to be believed. Launching on Nov. 9 on the Peacock app, the series will star Conover — a lawyer and a storyteller, as well as an OG cast member of “Southern Charm” — as Hunter Caldwell, playing opposite Nicole Mattox, an actor well-known in the world of microdramas. Starring Craig Conover as Hunter Caldwell and Nicole Mattox as Maeve Marchant, the series blends soapy romance, workplace rivalry and small-town mystery.
The story follows Maeve, a brilliant corporate fixer sent to convince and seduce Hunter, a rumored murderer, into selling his family’s estate. But when she discovers that the town’s most feared man may actually be its most misunderstood, and the only person who can protect her from her dangerous ex-boyfriend, Maeve becomes entangled in Hunter’s world. As family secrets and a billion-dollar development deal threaten to unravel their growing connection, she must confront her past and decide how much she’s willing to risk for love.
Aaron Rothman, Josh Halpert and Jesse Light executive produce, and Caroline Bomback co-executive produces. Written by Lyla Trilling. Some have famous ties, while others are building their reputations from the ground up, but all have big dreams and plenty to prove as they juggle careers, friendships and family dynamics.
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