‘RHONJ’ Has a New ‘Main Character’ for Season 15, as Teresa Giudice May Not Return
The stars of RHONJ are already gearing up to film Season 15 of the Bravo series, but longtime star Teresa Giudice is reportedly not among them. Giudice has been a cast member since the show’s debut season, but she is not yet confirmed for the upcoming one. Instead, the show reportedly has a new star: Margaret Joseph.
‘RHONJ’ Season 15 will focus on Margaret Joseph
Giudice reportedly has not yet filmed any test footage for the 15th season of The Real Housewives of New Jersey. This has led to speculation that she will not return for the upcoming season. As a result, Bravo is reportedly pivoting to a new “main character.”
“Despite Bravo wanting to focus the show around Joe Gorga’s lighthearted humor — which they still plan on doing — there always has to be a ‘star’ of the show,” a source told OK! Magazine.
The source added that because longtime cast member Melissa Gorga’s storylines have often revolved around Giudice, they don’t want to make her the star in the event that Giudice does not return. Instead, producers are setting up Johnson as the lead.
“So Bravo has decided to pursue building the show around Margaret as the main character for the time being,” the source said. “Dolores Catania and Melissa are both close with Margaret, so that part is aligned. And, Marge isn’t scared to be dramatic, but she’s also funny and quick-witted. Additionally, she’s always been open with her life and doesn’t hide things. She truly embodies everything a Real Housewife has always meant to be.”
Johnson will reportedly be “front and center” in Season 15, but the show will also introduce some “new blood” to shake things up.
“Production will also bring in some new blood to add both fun and drama,” the source said. “It’s definitely going to be a funny, fresh, and entertaining season of RHONJ when the dust settles.”
At this point, RHONJ Season 15 does not have a release date.
Teresa Giudice’s husband had harsh words for Margaret Joseph in Season 14
Giudice’s possible exit from the series could come as a relief to Johnson. In the Season 14 finale, Giudice accused Johnson of spreading lies about her husband, Luis “Louis” Ruelas. Ruelas had harsh words about Johnson.
“Tell her to stay away from our family,” he said. “I hope Margaret and her family suffer. I hope her f***ing son suffers the way I suffered, the way other people in our family suffered, dealing with a woman like that.”
He also referred to Johnson as a “disgusting, vile human being.” Ruelas’ words drew criticism, including from Andy Cohen, and he later apologized.
“The finale was very tough for me to watch and I wanted to address it with you all,” he wrote on his Instagram Story, per People. “After watching the finale, I was disappointed in my actions in bringing up Margaret Joseph’s son. The reason he was even brought up was because I have been dealing with being falsely accused of calling [Margaret’s] son at work which is simply not true.”
He admitted he should not have mentioned Johnson’s son.
“Still, I know better not to bring someone’s child up and it is something I deeply regret so I do want to apologize and acknowledge that I was wrong,” he wrote, adding, “Two wrongs don’t make a right, and I deeply regret saying what I said.”
Teresa Giudice previously said she hopes to return to ‘RHONJ’ for Season 15
After the Season 14 finale, Giudice said she would never film with Gorga or her brother again. Still, she said she had every intention of returning to the show.
“Of course, I’m going to go back. Oh my gosh, I started it, so I feel like like, you know, there’s still a lot in me,” she said on the Bonded by Bravo podcast in February 2025. “So yeah, definitely I would go back.”
She said she only had three friends on the cast, though.
“Dolores [Catania], Jennifer [Aydin], Jackie Goldschneider, and that’s it,” she said. “The rest, they lied.”
As the show has reportedly started filming test footage, fans will hopefully get the finalized cast list soon.
