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Credit: Instagram/Melissagorga

The future of Real Housewives of New Jersey hangs in the balance as producers rush to breathe new life into the series.

More than eighteen months after the curtain closed on season 14, and following Jennifer Aydin‘s announcement of her exit at 48, only four cast members appear poised for a comeback. Meanwhile, there are whispers of a past participant’s potential return.

“The core challenge remains unchanged,” an insider revealed to Radar Online on January 23. “The current cast is still strong, yet organizing them for a cohesive season has been a struggle. With Jen Aydin officially out and Rachel Fuda likely not returning either, the show still has pillars in Teresa Giudice, Melissa Gorga, Dolores Catania, and Margaret Josephs.”

Regarding Danielle Cabral, 40, the insider hinted at her possible comeback.

“But all of these women have had major issues with one another in the past,” they continued. “Even though Melissa and Teresa made up, there’s obviously still potential for drama as the reconciliation is new. And Margaret and Teresa don’t have a relationship… and Danielle also had issues with Teresa.”

The source then noted that bringing back Kim DePaola, 65, was an option since she is not “scared of the drama.”

“She’s friends with Melissa now. She’s friends with Margaret. And she’s always managed to navigate drama with Teresa and still come out alive,” the insider noted. “She knows all of these women well — their history, their relationships, their ups and downs, and how to work a room with them all.”

Although producers have also allegedly considered new cast members and even arranged for them to test film with the remaining cast, the source went on to say that bringing back someone with a history with the women might be the better option.

“What [Andy Cohen] and Bravo will ultimately do remains to be seen, but this would definitely be a simpler solution than continuing to comb through women who don’t end up performing well on camera and who have no history with the existing group,” the insider added.