Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 5, 2025 · Entertainment

The Return is On: RHONJ Tests New and Familiar Faces for Season 15!

Bravo has not finalized the cast for the upcoming 15th season of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, but they 'recently wrapped' test filming with a few old and new ladies 'in mid-August' (pictured in 2024)

DRAMA ALERT: The Real Housewives of New Jersey is Back, and It's About to Get Juicier Than Ever!

Get ready for a new season of catty conflicts, table-flipping tantrums, and sassy comebacks as Bravo confirms that The Real Housewives of New Jersey is officially returning for its 15th installment!

After months of speculation and uncertainty, sources close to the show have spilled the tea on who's in and who's out for the upcoming season. And trust us, it's about to get very interesting.

OK! Magazine reported that reality TV veteran Melissa Gorga (pictured August 8) was selected to do chemistry tests with future potential Housewives

According to insiders, reality TV veterans Melissa Gorga, Margaret Josephs, and Dolores Catania recently wrapped up test filming with some new faces in mid-August. "It went well," an insider told The Scholarly Note last Friday. But what's really got everyone talking is the rumored plan to build the show around Margaret as the main character.

Margaret, the fiery designer and mom of 29-year-old son Spencer, seems to be the perfect fit for the show. "She's not scared to be dramatic, but she's also funny and quick-witted," says the source. And let's be real, who wouldn't want to watch a no-nonsense, outspoken housewife like Margaret Josephs? She truly embodies everything a Real Housewife has always meant to be.

But what about Teresa Giudice, you ask? The OG cast member has been noticeably absent from test filming, but don't worry, she's still in consideration for the new season. In fact, sources close to the show confirm that producers are considering several other potential housewives, including Michelle Barone, a friend of Teresa's and Jackie Goldschneider.

An insider told the mag last Friday: 'It went well...Bravo has decided to pursue building the show around Margaret as the main character for the time being. Dolores and Melissa are both close with Margaret, so that part is aligned' (pictured August 22)

Meanwhile, Melissa Gorga is said to be on board with Margaret as the main woman this season. But don't expect any catty conflicts between the two – they're supposedly BFFs. As for Dolores Catania, she's also close with Margaret, making them a formidable trio.

But what about last year's drama-filled finale? Remember when Teresa refused to film with Melissa and their feud escalated into a full-blown war? Well, it seems that's finally coming to an end. Andy Cohen, the executive producer of RHONJ, recently confirmed on The View that "it's been really on a deep pause" – but now they're actively casting for season 15.

"We love this franchise," Cohen gushed to guests Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers during an episode of Watch What Happens Live. And we can't wait to see what drama unfolds next! Get ready, Bravoholics, because RHONJ is back, and it's about to get real!

The 58-year-old Macbeth Collection designer is mother to 29-year-old son Spencer from her 19-year marriage to first ex-husband Jan Josephs, which ended in 2013 - the same year she wed second husband Joe Benigno (R, pictured July 23)

EXCLUSIVE SCOOP: Teresa Giudice's Daughter Gia Takes on the Marines in New Reality Show

But before we dive into the new season of RHONJ, let's catch up with some familiar faces. Remember when Teresa Giudice faced her fear of drowning alongside her 24-year-old daughter Gia while competing on Special Forces: World's Toughest Test? The Marrakesh-set reality show premieres September 25 on Fox/Hulu.

And speaking of Gia, she's been keeping busy with her own projects. Sources close to the family reveal that Gia is currently training for a potential new role in entertainment – but don't expect any spoilers just yet!

On Thursday, Us Weekly reported that producers are considering Michelle Barone (L, pictured April 28), who's friends with OG cast member Teresa Giudice (M) and RHONJ 'friend' Jackie Goldschneider (R)

RHONJ FANS REJOICE: BravoCon Returns This November!

To celebrate the return of RHONJ and all things Bravo, Bravoholics can attend the fourth annual fan convention BravoCon this November 14-16 at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, NV. Get ready to mingle with over 150 Bravolebrities, including your favorite Housewives, as they dish out all the tea on their latest dramas and adventures.

So mark those calendars, folks – it's time to get real, get loud, and get ready for the wildest ride of the year!

On June 1, the RED Podcaster (R) shared an Instagram snap with RHONJ star Jennifer Aydin (L) and Teresa (M), with whom she appears to be quite close

Michelle is a proud mother to three children - son Luca, 10; son Luciano, 8; and daughter Liliana, 5 - from her marriage to Daniel Lepore (pictured July 3)

Speaking of Giudice (2-L), the 53-year-old Turning The Tables podcaster has 'not filmed any test footage as of yet' but she's 'still in consideration to be part of the new season'

Instead, Teresa and her 24-year-old daughter Gia Giudice faced their fear of drowning while competing in the Marrakesh-set fourth season of the quasi-military training reality show Special Forces: World's Toughest Test, which premieres September 25 on Fox/Hulu

During last year's RHONJ season 14 finale, Giudice stuck with Jennifer and Jackie while absolutely refusing to film with her estranged sister-in-law Melissa, Margaret, Rachel Fuda, Danielle Cabral, and 'friend' Jennifer Fessler

The irreparably-divided, warring cast was incapable of having a civilized discussion and thus the reunion was canceled and the fate of the fourth installment of The Real Housewives franchise remained up in the air

Executive producer Andy Cohen admitted on The View June 3: 'It was really on a deep pause and we are actively there casting and looking at the future of what that will be. It's a great franchise, and we love it. I just have to reiterate that'

The 57-year-old Watch What Happens Live host (L) then confirmed to guests Bowen Yang (M) and Matt Rogers (R) that 'we're close' to RHONJ season 15 during the August 4th episode of his boozy Bravo talk show