Bravo executive Frances Berwick doesn’t know much about the future of Summer House yet, but she’d “put money” on the show returning after Amanda Batula and West Wilson’s scandal.
“I can’t share anything about who’s returning,” Berwick, the chairman of Bravo and the unscripted division of Peacock, told The Ankler in an article published on Wednesday, April 29. “As you’ve probably noticed, many of our successful shows remain on the schedule.”
She added, “The fact that we have had Real Housewives on the air for 20 years speaks to [the fact] that we’re pretty good at refreshing, renewing and evolving [shows].”
Berwick explained that what sets Bravo apart from “other linear cable networks” is the continued investment made in programming.
“We have not taken our foot off the gas in any way. The shows have kept delivering and we’ve been able to add and expand,” she added. “And yes, we think that we’re pretty expert at the franchise management of it all. Where we see success, we can build out and we can pivot, and we’ve done that well with shows like Below Deck and Real Housewives.”
Berwick noted, “We’re always looking for opportunities where we can do that for other shows, but the key is continuing to invest in these formats.”
Summer House is a new example of the successful Bravo formula of expanding their existing franchise. The spinoff series In the City, starring several members of the OG Summer House cast, is set to premiere next month.
In the City is coming at a time when all eyes are on the network following the latest Summer House scandal, which has been making headlines since March.
After weeks of rumors, Batula and Wilson confirmed in a joint statement on March 31 that they are dating. Batula was best friends with costar Ciara Miller, who dated West in 2023. Fans have been watching the leadup to the relationship drama as new episodes of season 10 continue to air.
Did Producers Know About Amanda Batula and West Wilson’s Romance?
While Bravo fans have compared the Summer House drama to Vanderpump Rules’ infamous Scandoval, Berwick sees them differently. (In March 2023, news broke that VPR star Tom Sandoval was cheating on longtime girlfriend Ariana Madix with costar Rachel “Raquel” Leviss.)
“I see how they’re being conflated, but they’re different types of shows,” Berwick explained. “Summer House has a good long runway ahead, and we’re trying to figure out what that looks like right now.”
She added, “The whole intent of In the City was following a new life stage for some of these cast members. There’s a natural separation in terms of these two shows.”
Berwick also confirmed that In the City will showcase the aftermath of Batula and Wilson’s romance reveal.
“You’ll see in the first episode we have a new scene that we shot with a couple of the cast members,” she said. “We did pick up [cameras] there, but we just didn’t feel like that was the right thing to do on Summer House.”
New episodes of Summer House air on Bravo Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
