Bravo executive Frances Berwick can’t believe that the “Real Housewives” franchise is turning 20. That’s right. The series that started as a single-camera production following a group of affluent women in Orange County, California, has grown legs and taken on a life of its own, spawning hit series in cities across the country, including Atlanta, New York, Salt Lake City, and yes, Rhode Island. Heck, the franchise even expanded beyond the U.S., previously following glamorous women in Dubai. Ahead of the franchise’s 20th-anniversary special, “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th,” Berwick is reflecting on the program’s legacy and opening up about the moment the network knew it had a hit on its hands.
Speaking with Deadline at the season 20 premiere of “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” Berwick expressed gratitude that the series is still running 20 years later. (The first episode aired March 21, 2006.)
“Just feels incredibly gratifying and fun and joyous,” she said. “The fact that it’s still making people really happy to watch the show, that they love being part of this Real Housewives community, it just makes you feel good.”
When Did The Network Realize They Had A Hit On Their Hands?
Regarding the first season of “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” or “RHOC” for short, Berwick recalled the moment the network realized the series would be bigger than they imagined.
“The viewership had gone up with every episode,” she said. “We were like, ‘Oh my God… we’re going to do a Season 2.’ We had not thought that we would be franchising it, and it was only really as we started to see other casts like ‘Manhattan Moms’ that we thought this could be a ‘Real Housewives’ show too. They don’t have to be housewives. This is sort of like a modern interpretation of what a Real Housewife is.”
The season 1 cast of “RHOC” included Vicki Gunvalson, Jeana Keough, Lauri Peterson, Jo De La Rosa, and Kimberly Bryant. (Gunvalson is still part of the cast today.)
Berwick Remembers Being Nervous To Turn ‘The Real Housewives’ Into A Franchise
For those who don’t know, “Manhattan Moms” was the working title of what’s since become “The Real Housewives of New York City.” And while the latter has given Bravo viewers 15 seasons of excellent TV, thanks to stars like Bethenny Frankel, Luann de Lesseps, Dorinda Medley, and Sonja Morgan, Berwick and the rest of the crew were hesitant about turning it into a “Real Housewives” series.
“We were quite thoughtful about it, but then it felt like this could be a good thing,” she said. “And since ‘Orange County’ had resonated, perhaps this was a good way to sort of attract a different audience rather than the same audience and expand it.”
“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” had a similar beginning to “RHONY,” according to Berwick. “Ultimately, it was all about the cast. There were so many women who had amazing stories to tell who had these incredible bonds and friendships and were going through all sorts of life challenges and dealing with different things in their life. It just felt like a natural extension,” she said.
“RHOA” included breakout star NeNe Leakes, Shereé Whitfield, and Kim Zolciak.
Bravo Is Honoring 20 Years Of The Franchise With An Epic Special!
According to a previous report from The Blast, Bravo is planning to honor the 20th anniversary of “The Real Housewives” series with a special edition of “Ultimate Girls Trip.”
The show will feature “a group of beloved Housewives from across the years embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, making their way through some of the most memorable locations in the franchise’s history.”
Throughout the episodes, more than 80 housewives from the past and present will appear, including Porsha Williams, Kyle Richards, Lisa Barlow, Teresa Giudice, and Gizelle Bryant.
Leakes Will Be Part Of The Series
Leakes will also make a special appearance when the main cast stops in Atlanta. It will mark her grand return to Bravo after she left “RHOA” in 2020 and sued the network in 2022.
“This has been a really long, long journey, and gosh, I’m happy, overjoyed to say that I will be returning to Bravo,” Leakes said in an emotional Instagram video. “I almost can’t believe the words that are coming out of my mouth. I’m so happy. I’m excited to see all of you girls. It’s going to be a time. Yes! B-tches, I am back. Now pick your faces off the floor. OK!? See you on Bravo. Love you.”