The champagne hasn’t even stopped flowing from the Next Gen NYC Season 1 success. But fans (and let’s be honest, Bravo execs) are already buzzing about Season 2. The show introduced us to a younger, glossier generation of reality royalty, and while the first season had its moments, it’s clear there’s room for a cast refresh. And some serious upgrades. So, who should stay, who should go, and who needs to bring their drama to the Big Apple’s most exclusive brunch tables? Let’s break it down.
Andy Cohen hints at Season 2 of Next Gen NYC
Leave it to Bravo daddy Andy Cohen to stir the pot without giving us the full recipe. In a recent interview on his SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live, he dropped a not-so-subtle hint that the NYC spinoff wasn’t just a one-and-done. “I am not a producer of Next Gen NYC. This is the first I have heard of any discord surrounding Gia. And I certainly only have positive feelings for Gia and her mom, Teresa, the OG of New Jersey.” Gia Giudice has been absent from the series and Bravo has yet to officially green light a second season.
But rumors are the network will be announcing the second season, and a move to Peacock will happen. Andy also added, “All news to me, and by the way, I love Next Gen NYC. Do not sleep on this show.” Personally, I think there’s definitely interest in seeing where some of this cast goes because the chemistry’s evolving. The series could benefit from a few new faces. The first season was fun, but it felt more like a soft launch than a full-on cultural reset. The cast gave us fashion, name drops, and awkward family dynamics. But we need more tension, more loyalty tests, and way more shady brunches.
Cynthia Bailey claims Bravo asked her daughter to join
Now, this is the kind of casting rumor we live for. Cynthia Bailey recently revealed that Bravo reached out to her daughter, Noelle Robinson, about possibly appearing on Next Gen NYC. During an episode of Jeff Lewis Life, Adrienne Maloof revealed, “They’re coming to us to want to do this show, that show about the next generation like my kids.” She added, “It’s up to them.” The 55-year-old host added, “The show must be doing well, then? Next Gen NYC?” The Real Housewives of Atlanta star noted, “I don’t know what Noelle wants to do yet. It’s totally her decision.”
Cynthia continued. “It’s her choice. She’s been watching it. I’ve just been like, ‘Keep watching it and see how you feel about it.’” Upon hearing both mothers’ input, I immediately thought, yes, please… Noelle has the look, the lifestyle, and the Bravo DNA to bring something fresh to the table. She’s been around the Housewives universe long enough to know how this game works, but she’s also young enough to appeal to the newer fan base Next Gen NYC is clearly courting. Plus, imagine the crossover potential. If Bravo is smart, and they usually are when it comes to casting, they’ll lock Noelle in and build around her. She’s got influence, style, and a last name that still gets people talking.
Brooks Marks doesn’t need to return
Now for the not-so-fun part: let’s talk about Brooks Marks. Look, we wanted to root for him. After all, he’s the son of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Meredith Marks. And he came into Next Gen NYC with a built-in fan base and a recognizable name. But the vibes were off. The poor kid is not a fan of confrontation, and there is a lot of it. From the awkward confessionals with Seth Marks to the fashion show that nobody really asked for, Brooks just didn’t gel with the rest of the cast. When watching him, it often felt like he was in a completely different show. One that aired exclusively on TikTok and involved a lot of beige hoodies.
While the rest of the cast tried to navigate friendships and flirtations, Brooks seemed more focused on his personal brand than engaging in any real dynamics. This franchise needs people who are willing to get messy. We’re not saying we need table flips, but we do need more than monotone musings about minimalist fashion. If Brooks wants to make a splash, he might be better suited for a different kind of reality show or maybe just a YouTube channel. Season 2 of Next Gen NYC needs energy. It needs shade that isn’t passive-aggressive. It needs cast members who are willing to show up, speak up, and throw down (verbally, of course). And if Brooks and Gia, for that matter, aren’t bringing that? Then, it’s time to make room for someone who will.
Next Gen NYC is available to stream on Peacock and Hayu in the UK and Ireland.
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