Carole Radziwill Makes Stunning Return to RHONY Season 16 as Filming Kicks Off in New York

Carole Radziwill is officially coming back to “The Real Housewives of New York City” for Season 16 — and filming begins this week in New York City.

The former cast member, who starred on the Bravo reality series from Season 5 through Season 10, will return in the role of a “friend” of the cast. The exclusive update was first reported by Variety in a report by Kate Aurthur.

Radziwill, a well-known author and journalist, became popular on the show for her sharp humor and calm personality. She left the series in July 2018 after a dramatic season that included a major feud with former castmate Bethenny Frankel. At the time, she shared that her interest in reality television had faded and that she wanted to focus on writing and other TV projects.

For years, it seemed like her relationship with Bravo was over. During the Season 10 reunion, Radziwill had a tense exchange with executive producer Andy Cohen, which fans still remember. After that, the two traded comments in interviews and on social media, making it look like a return would never happen.

But things changed.

In fall 2024, Cohen revealed that he and Radziwill had reconnected. Then in August 2025, she made a surprise appearance on Cohen’s late-night talk show “Watch What Happens Live.” The moment was a hit with fans. Later that year, she also appeared at BravoCon 2025 in Las Vegas, showing that she was fully back in the Bravo circle.

Now, as Season 16 moves into production, Radziwill joins returning reboot stars Erin Lichy, Sai De Silva, and Jessel Taank. Several cast members from Season 15 will not return, including Brynn Whitfield, Ubah Hassan, and Racquel Chevremont. Jenna Lyons and Rebecca Minkoff had already announced their exits.

Earlier this week, gossip site DeuxMoi reported that filming would start soon and named possible new additions. Bravo did not comment at first but later confirmed the cast news on social media.

There were rumors last year that RHONY had been canceled. However, Bravo leadership denied those claims. During BravoCon, network executive Frances Berwick explained that building the right cast takes time and careful planning.

With cameras now rolling again in New York, Carole Radziwill’s return marks a major moment for the series. Fans who thought the door was closed forever are now watching it swing wide open.

Season 16 of “The Real Housewives of New York City” is officially underway.