When Ladies of London went off the air in 2017, it’s safe to say that Bravo fans were devastated. The wit and utter sass that viewers have come to enjoy were taken, and our hearts were left with a hole. But after years of waiting, Bravo and Hayu fans were shocked to learn that not only were they getting their beloved aries back, but a second across-the-pond franchise just for being so patient. The Real Housewives of London is currently casting, but it leads fans to wonder if there can be room for these two big hitters. To this, I say yes!
Real Housewives of London and the Ladies of London Reboot Can Coexist
Without a doubt, I believe there is room for both the Real Housewives of London and the Ladies of London. There is something about the English capital that mesmerizes us Yanks. It’s not quite New York City, ie, it’s way cleaner and fancier. And it’s not Hollywood, as no one really runs after A-list stars since the Brits just know how to respect a person’s boundaries. And even though the two shows will be filmed in the same city, I think each will have its own creative spin. We’ve seen this type of competition before. The Real Housewives of New Jersey and the Real Housewives of New York are only a river apart and often filmed in close proximity. Yet, both gave a very different vibe.
The ladies of Manhattan refused to leave the Big Apple for the Garden State. Basically, one was classy and one was a bit … Italian Mob-like. It’s okay, I can write this – I’m a Jersey girl myself. The great state of California also had two Real Housewives franchises. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills showed that Rodeo Drive wasn’t all that could shine. At the same time, the Real Housewives of Orange County gave a more suburban feel. The same will be done for the London franchises.
Real Housewives of London will air on Hayu
The Real Housewives of London is an original Hayu series. And we expect big things from the streaming service. The series is expected to premiere this year, but as of now, no premiere date has been given. The show was first announced at Hayu’s Fan Fest, and it is owned by NBC Universal International (who also own Bravo.) There is also no confirmed cast yet. But with the series being brand new, I would imagine it is a set of young socialites who have made their playground the city of London. Whispers of names have leaked out, which seem to include Ekin Su, Poppy Delevingne (sister of Cara Delevingne), Trinny Woodall, Tamara Ecclestone (father was the chief executive of Formula One), and Fran Cutler, who is known for throwing star-studded parties.
Poppy would be the biggest name if cast. Personally, I think she would be an instant fan favorite thanks to her soft voice. But more importantly, she has ties to the royal family — and that’s all we Anglophiles really want to see. Poppy grew up in one of the most elite neighborhoods in London, Belgravia. Poppy’s grandmother was a lady-in-waiting to Princess Margaret (the Queen’s sister). Poppy’s grandmother married Sir Jocelyn Stevens, who once owned Harper’s Bazaar and Queen magazine. Needless to say, Poppy could easily be the leader of the newest franchise.
Ladies of London is an oldie but a goodie
You just can’t go wrong with a classic. The series took off thanks to its ability to blend the positivity of American ex-pats and the stiff upper lip of British socialites. Ladies of London’s success stemmed from the strikingly different personalities of the cast. Caroline Stanbury came across as mean thanks to her dry wit. Annabelle Neilson was all about protocol. And Juliet Angus couldn’t be deflated. Among it all, the women’s life experiences were extremely relatable as the out-of-touch Americans tried to navigate their new social circle. However, Bravo was able to secure a real insight into the royal family of England and Denmark thanks to hiring Caroline Fleming and Annabelle, who were both real royals.
Bravo’s latest announcement revealed that “Ladies of London is back with a new wave of British blue bloods, ambitious American expats, and glamorous international socialites. As tradition clashes with the fast-paced globalized world, these power players redefine what it means to be a woman of status in one of the most iconic cities in the world. Here, connections are currency, and the crown isn’t the only thing up for grabs.” Hopefully, LoL 2.0 will show that London is more than just the SW10 postcode.
Ladies of London is available to stream on Peacock.
TELL US – ARE YOU EXCITED FOR THE TWO LONDON FRANCHISES?
