In a major casting shake-up for British reality television fans, Bravo has confirmed that Vanderpump Rules alumni Lala Kent and Tom Schwartz are joining the cast of its spinoff series, The Valley, for its upcoming third season.
The announcement came during BravoCon on Friday, where the network shared the news at The Peaks & The Valley panel alongside a trailer and full cast list for another offshoot, The Valley: Persian Style.
From Cameos to Main Cast Members
The promotion comes after both reality stars made cameo appearances in season two of The Valley, with fans spotting them filming alongside the main cast over several months. Their casting follows Jax Taylor's departure from the series, who exited to focus on 'sobriety, my mental health and coparenting relationship' with his ex-wife Brittany Cartwright.
During Friday's panel, Lala Kent reflected on her transition between the two shows, stating: 'I came on to Vanderpump Rules season four, and they were like a very well-oiled machine. And joining this show, I was the well-oiled machine.'
She added, 'I had a wonderful time, I will say. But it was just, it was different.'
Bravo's Reality Television Evolution
This casting move occurs against the backdrop of significant changes within Bravo's reality television landscape. Vanderpump Rules, once one of the world's biggest reality shows, faced a dramatic shake-up earlier this year with news that the original cast would be replaced.
In July, executive producer Alex Baskin addressed potential backlash regarding Lala, Tom, and Scheana Shay joining The Valley full-time during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
'I think part of what is fun about these series is that there's something for everyone, and I think there's a lot of different points of view,' Baskin noted. 'And I think obviously those three are very much a part of this group, just naturally, and they're very comfortable living their lives in front of the cameras. They're used to it, they've been doing it for a long time.'
Familiar Faces in New Territory
Tom Schwartz appeared throughout all eleven seasons of the original Lisa Vanderpump-fronted series, which originated from her time on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Meanwhile, Lala Kent first joined Vanderpump Rules in season four before becoming a full-time cast member in season six.
They join other Vanderpump Rules veterans who already star on The Valley, including Kristen Doute and Brittany Cartwright. The main cast also features:
- Luke Broderick
- Danny and Nia Booko
- Jesse Lally and Michelle Saniei
- Jason and Janet Caperna
- Jasmine Goode
- Zack Wickham
The casting announcement provides clarity for fans who had anxiously awaited updates about the show's future direction. Meanwhile, Vanderpump Rules season 12 will premiere on Bravo on December 2 with a completely revamped cast, marking a new era for the franchise.
