RHOP Season 10 filming has been delayed as Bravo decides next steps, sources tell TV Deets exclusively.
While reports quickly surfaced after Karen Huger’s February 26 sentencing in her DUI case that The Real Housewives of Potomac would begin production on Season 10 by the end of March, insiders close to the network confirm that filming has been pushed until sometime in April — at the earliest.
“Bravo is really excited about the next season but none of the women have been officially asked back,” one source reveals, referencing full-time Housewives Gizelle Bryant, Wendy Osefo, Mia Thornton, Ashley Darby, Keiarna Stewart, and Stacey Rusch.
“They had a whole plan for Season 10 but Karen’s situation has definitely thrown a wrench in things,” continued the insider.
“Everything is up in the air.”
According to TV Deets insiders, Bravo has been happy with the ratings and overall fan response to Season 9 and is eager keep that momentum going but some involved are worried about rushing into Season 10.
“Karen wasn’t even at the reunion and her name was mentioned non-stop,” adds another insider. “There are a lot of great things about this current group but [the network is] trying to decide if they can really afford to do a season without her.”
“No one involved wants to mess up Potomac.”
Mia Thornton drama
Further complicating matters is that the back half of Season 9 was very Mia heavy, leaving some involved with the show shocked at the response to her controversial storyline involving the paternity of one of her children.
Specifically, an Essence op-ed titled “There’s Nothing Entertaining About Mia Thornton’s Real Housewives of Potomac Storyline” caught the attention of those in the decision making room.
Mia, for her part, has mused about jumping over to The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Karen Huger’s DUI and sentencing
As previously reported on TVDeets.com, Karen Huger was found guilty of DUI on December 18, 2024 and was sentenced to two years in prison with one year suspended. She is currently serving her sentence.
The Real Housewives of Potomac star had been facing a list of charges including “Driving a Vehicle While Impaired by Alcohol” and “Driving a Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol” over a dramatic March 19, 2024 incident and arrest which made international headlines.
Her lawyers previously attempted to have the case thrown out, alleging an illegal search and seizure, but a judge denied the request.
Subsequently, damaging police videotapes showing Karen on the night of her arrest were released via Freedom of Information Act requests and while she was reportedly offered a plea deal that would have seen her serve minimal prison time, her legal team decided to head to trial.
According to court documents, prosecutors were originally seeking 60 days in jail while the defense was hoping for no jail time.
Will Karen Huger appear on Season 10?
As pointed out in a PEOPLE Magazine article covering RHOP Season 10 filming, Huger has “30 days to appeal the judge’s decision, and 90 days to ask the judge to reconsider his order.” The report quoted insiders suggesting Karen “could still return in the future… especially if her sentence is reduced.”
Additionally, the report notes that Gizelle told attendees at a recent City Winery event that she would be open to visiting Karen in jail if producers could get clearance to film.
While bringing back a former cast member is always an option, production also has a working list of potential newbies at the ready. However, nothing is official and any casting rumours going around at the moment are exactly that — rumours.
Season 9 of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Potomac starred Karen Huger, Gizelle Bryant, Wendy Osefo, Mia Thornton, Ashley Darby, Keiarna Stewart, and Stacey Rusch as full-time Housewives with Jacqueline Blake and Jassi Rideaux appearing as Friends of the Housewives.
