The popular reality TV show Vanderpump Rules is gearing up for a significant overhaul in its upcoming season 12, and fans will be pleased to hear a familiar face is set to return. Peter Madrigal, a SUR manager and long-time presence on the show, has announced he will be joining Lisa Vanderpump and the fresh cast for the new season.
Madrigal revealed his return on The Domenick Nati Show on Wednesday, December 4th, stating, “The one that’s still there is yours truly.” While Bravo has not officially confirmed casting details, and typically refrains from commenting on such matters, Madrigal’s statement suggests he will be a key link to the show’s past as Vanderpump Rules enters a new chapter.
According to Madrigal, season 12 will see the show getting “back to basics.” He indicated that Bravo’s decision to reboot the series was a substantial move, going beyond the recent “Scandoval” drama, though acknowledging that scandal played a role. “When it happened, I was kind of taken aback,” Madrigal admitted, reflecting on the changes. “But then I wasn’t really surprised because of things I had seen and things that had happened to me privately and on the show itself that I like was like, okay, yeah there was definitely something going on the entire time.”
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Peter Madrigal pictured alongside Tom Schwartz and Jax Taylor in an early season of Vanderpump Rules, highlighting his long-standing presence on the show.
Despite being a part of Vanderpump Rules since its first season, Madrigal was never a main cast member. He shared that many relationships viewers saw in earlier seasons have evolved or faded. “A lot of those relationships that you saw over 10 years ago, they don’t … they no longer exist,” Madrigal explained. He mentioned still being friendly with Scheana Shay and Ariana Madix, and Katie Maloney, echoing sentiments Katie had previously expressed about changing dynamics among the original cast.
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A scene from Vanderpump Rules season 3 featuring Peter Madrigal and Lisa Vanderpump, illustrating their professional relationship at SUR.
Looking ahead, Madrigal hinted at potential collaborations with former cast members on his Reality Network channel. “There’s a certain group of people that I’m like I’ve talked to about it already,” he said, suggesting future projects with familiar faces from the Vanderpump Rules universe.
For season 12, Madrigal assures viewers that the drama that made the show famous will remain central. “The reason why the show worked is because of all the drama, so I think that focusing on the drama works,” he stated. “So expect more drama and more shenanigans.” This emphasis on drama suggests a return to the elements that initially captivated audiences.
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A group shot of the Vanderpump Rules cast, including Peter Madrigal, Beau Clark, Stassi Schroeder, Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval, Katie Maloney-Schwartz, Kristen Doute, Tom Schwartz, Jax Taylor, Scheana Shay, and Lala Kent, showcasing the ensemble nature of the show.
When Bravo initially announced the reboot in November, Lisa Vanderpump’s return was confirmed, but no other cast members were named. Vanderpump expressed gratitude for the past seasons and welcomed the new direction. “The last 12 years of filming have been an extraordinary run full of laughter, tears and everything in between,” Vanderpump said in a release. “I can’t thank enough those who have shared their lives… Cheers to the next generation of Vanderpump Rules.”
Sources indicate that the reboot is aimed at refocusing the show on its original premise, centered around SUR and Lisa Vanderpump. An insider noted, “the group ties to SUR and Lisa was practically non-existent” and “This is an attempt to recalibrate and bring the show back to the thing that made it such a success to begin with. It’s a fresh start.”
Vanderpump Rules seasons 1-11 are currently available for streaming on Peacock, allowing fans to revisit past drama before season 12 premieres with Peter Madrigal and a new cast of SUR-vers.
