Casting Changes for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Season 16 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills adds two new full-time cast members to its roster. Actor and activist Leah Remini is joining the show as a series regular. Tracy Tutor, known for her work on Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles, also moves into a full-time role. These additions arrive as the franchise marks its twentieth anniversary. The network confirmed that veteran cast members Kyle Richards, Erika Jayne, Dorit Kemsley, Bozoma Saint John, Rachel Zoe, and Sutton Stracke remain with the series. Kathy Hilton and Jennifer Tilly will continue their involvement as friends of the cast.
The casting news follows the departure of Amanda Frances. The manifesting consultant appeared in the show's 15th season but was not invited back for the upcoming cycle. Frances confirmed her exit on Instagram on August 5, 2026. This shuffle addresses long-standing viewer complaints regarding the show's trajectory. Despite criticism, the program remains the most-watched entry in the broader Housewives franchise.
Production Context and Industry Speculation
Filming for the new season is already underway in Los Angeles. While several cast members attended Bozoma Saint John’s wedding in Ghana on August 21, 2026, Remini and Tutor are scheduled to begin their own filming segments later this week. The production schedule remains a point of interest, especially given the high volume of public speculation regarding potential departures. Rumors previously suggested that Kyle Richards had filmed a farewell scene during production of another series, though these reports were unfounded.
Executive producer Alex Baskin also stepped in to correct inaccurate reports about Dorit Kemsley. Claims circulated that Kemsley had been sidelined, but production sources clarified that she remains a central part of the upcoming narrative. Interest in the cast remains intense because of the group's internal fractures. The previous season concluded with a three-part reunion that highlighted friction between Kemsley and Richards, as well as ongoing discussions surrounding Kemsley’s divorce from Paul Kemsley.
The New Additions and Franchise Future
Leah Remini brings a different history to the reality format. Best known for her nine-season role on The King of Queens, she later became a prominent critic of Scientology. Her A&E series, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, secured two primetime Emmys and established her as a public figure outside the standard reality television bubble. Her entrance into the Beverly Hills social circle introduces a new dynamic to the established cast.
Tracy Tutor has established a presence on the network through her work in luxury real estate. Having participated in six seasons of Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles, she is familiar with the production demands of the Bravo network. Andy Cohen publicly supported the move on social media, noting the decision had been anticipated by fans for some time. This integration of established talent suggests a strategic effort to stabilize the cast while maintaining the high viewership numbers that keep the show at the top of the network's priority list.