“Vanderpump Rules” is officially back in production with a completely fresh group of SURvers taking over the iconic West Hollywood restaurant.
Season 12 filming was underway on Monday, July 14, with new cast members Demyana Selem and Jason Cohen spotted leaving Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurant during production of the next chapter. Photos of their fellow cast were also captured via Us Weekly. This marks a significant change for the long-running Bravo series, which first started in 2013 as a spinoff of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”
The complete cast change comes after Bravo announced in November 2024 that an entirely new group would take over following 11 seasons with mostly the same cast. The decision followed the fallout from Tom Sandoval’s affair with Rachel “Raquel” Leviss, which created discord among the original cast members and led to the show being put on hiatus.
“The last 12 years of filming have been an extraordinary run full of laughter, tears and everything in between,” Lisa Vanderpump, 64, said in a statement at the time. “I can’t thank enough those who have shared their lives. How I love you all.”
The restaurant owner expressed excitement about welcoming the next generation of reality stars to her establishment. “In the restaurant business, one shift always gives way to another. Cheers to the next generation of Vanderpump Rules,” she added.
Production for the new season reportedly began in April and is expected to continue into the fall, marking a fresh start for the franchise that has become a pop culture hit over the course of more than a decade.
Executive Producer Reveals New Direction
Executive producer Alex Baskin has been vocal about his excitement for the complete restart of the show, emphasizing how the reboot returns to the series’ original concept. The new approach supposedly focused on the real workplace relationships among young adults navigating their twenties together.
“We’re working on it. We’re excited. It’s back to our basic principles,” Baskin revealed during a June episode of the “LadyGang” podcast. “It’s a group of people who are really friends in their 20s and who work together and kind of do everything together.”
The producer noted that the change allows the network to capture the energy and dynamics that made the original seasons compelling while introducing completely new personalities and storylines.
“It’s the low stakes but high intensity fun ride that I love,” Baskin explained. “And it bears very little resemblance to the original — other than obviously there’s SUR and Lisa [Vanderpump] presides over it. There’s that life phase again.”
Baskin also addressed skepticism from longtime viewers who may be hesitant about the big changes to the beloved series. Rather than being concerned about doubt, he views it as an opportunity to win over audiences with fresh content.
“I love the fact that people are doubting us,” he admitted at the time. “I love the skepticism. I want people to watch it and fall in love in spite of themselves. I think they will. There’s really big shoes to fill but it’s going great. So very excited to unleash that.”
SUR Restaurant Continues Operations During Filming
While production continues with the new cast, SUR Restaurant and Lounge remains a busy West Hollywood hotspot. The establishment, owned by Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd along with Guillermo and Nathalie Pouille Zapata, continues operating as both a working restaurant and the backdrop for reality television drama.
Recent social media activity from the restaurant suggests exciting developments beyond just the show filming. On July 13, SUR’s Instagram page announced a collaboration with the EC Twins, a musical duo known for their contributions to the House music scene.
“Something BIG is coming to SUR…” the post’s caption read. “We’re teaming up with the legendary DJ EC Twins for a night you won’t forget. The energy. The people. The BEST party vibes in West Hollywood. Stay tuned, the date drops soon. This one’s gonna be unmissable.”
Some familiar faces remain connected to the restaurant despite the cast changes. Peter Madrigal, the longtime manager who has worked at SUR since the early 2000s, continues his role at the establishment. A recent Instagram post confirmed his ongoing presence, featuring him wearing a SUR baseball cap with the caption promoting the restaurant’s merchandise.
The restaurant also continues celebrating its iconic locations, including the famous back alley where many memorable fights took place during previous seasons. Recent social media posts encourage visitors to take photos in what they call the “ICONIC [SUR alley] where drama met glam and the vibes are always on.”
The upcoming season promises to maintain the essential elements that made “Vanderpump Rules” successful while introducing fresh personalities and storylines. According to official announcements, Season 12 will feature a new group of “close-knit SUR-vers who are as complicatedly involved with one another as their iconic predecessors.”
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‘Vanderpump Rules’ Season 12 Cast Spotted Filming [PHOTOS]