Andy Cohen discusses similarities between new Rhode Island Housewives and RHONJ due to them being of Italian descent

Bravo has officially confirmed the rumors about the expansion of the “Real Housewives” franchise to Rhode Island. Host Andy Cohen expressed his utmost excitement about this news.

In an interview where he was promoting the upcoming series, Andy Cohen, who is also set to be one of the executive producers of the show, hinted that viewers might be reminded of the early days of the “Real Housewives of New Jersey.”

Andy Cohen discussed with Page Six Bravo’s decision to broaden the “Real Housewives” franchise to a fresh location, suggesting that the new group of women will bring a lot of excitement to the screen.

“The cast is incredible,” the father of two said about the Rhode Island women. “They are very Italian.”

He went on to say that because the Ocean State is so small, many of the cast members had personal relationships with each other prior to cameras rolling, making for a great ensemble of women.

“Rhode Island is such a small state, and they all kind of know each other and overlap, and it’s an incredible group of women who have really interesting connections. I think it’s going to really surprise people,” he said.

Cohen also told Page Six that even though “RHONJ” has a strong Italian presence, the two shows are very different.

In fact, he said the Rhode Island cast is “more Italian” with “deep families.” However, he noted the cast “does kind of remind [me] of early Jersey in a weird way.”

The cast of Housewives who will join the Bravo family hasn’t been revealed yet. According to a press release, however, the series will follow a “tight-knit circle of Rhode Islanders who have deep community roots and families that go back generations.”

“With aspirational lives, thriving businesses and tangled family dynamics, these decade-long friendships prove that in a state this small, there’s no escaping your past … or each other,” the statement read.

Rhode Island’s governor, Dan McKee, expressed his excitement about the Bravo franchise’s arrival in the coastal state.

On X, formerly Twitter, he wrote, “You can find me where the chowder’s clear, the coffee’s milk, and the Housewives are Real.”

He added, “We’re excited to welcome Bravo, The Real Housewives, and their millions of viewers to Rhode Island to showcase our vibrant communities, amazing food, and stunning coastal beauty. #RHORI.”

Regarding the next season of “RHONJ,” Bravo is reportedly still toying with ways to “see how they can make it work.”

For those unfamiliar with the situation, the network paused the show after its 14th season due to hostility between cast members Teresa Giudice, Melissa Gorga, and Margaret Josephs.

An earlier report suggested Bravo fired more than half of the cast; however, another report said the claim was untrue.

“All of them have been in contact with production, but not with any news,” a source shared. “There’s still an open line of communication, but no news on who is coming back or who is not coming back.”

The insider also shared that Bravo was “stalling.”