Andy Cohen thinks things are looking up for Bravo and the network’s famed Real Housewives franchise. The Bravo executive seems excited about a new series for the first time in a long time. After the network announced The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, a new installment of the beloved franchise, Cohen opened up about what fans can expect. While everything sounds pretty good, fans can’t help but wonder if the new franchise foretells the end of long-standing favorite, The Real Housewives of New Jersey.

Andy Cohen is excited about RHORI

While it will be a while before fans see The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, Andy Cohen feels good about what has been created, and even better about the cast. During a chat with Page Six following the announcement, Cohen said, “The cast is incredible… They are very Italian. 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.”

While the cast for the upcoming installment has not yet been revealed, rumors are swirling about which Rhode Island ladies made the cut. A Reddit user who claims to be connected to the prosecution revealed that three members of the Tasca family are involved in the series. Rumors suggest someone close to the Culpo family might have also signed up.

Bravo has yet to announce the cast. Still, Cohen’s characterization of the women who will headline the series has raised a few eyebrows. The Bravo executive has conceded that RHORI might seem a bit similar to RHONJ. The admission has led to questions about the real motivation behind the new installment.

Will RHORI replace RHONJ?

Bravo fans are excited to meet a brand new cast of characters in a new locale. Still, the announcement of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island has led to a bit of anxiety. Some fans speculate that The Real Housewives of Rhode Island is intended to replace The Real Housewives of New Jersey. For months, Cohen and Bravo have remained tight-lipped about the future of RHONJ. The Jersey girls brought more drama than the network ever wanted in season 14, leading to a pause in production. The introduction of RHORI feels like the final nail in the installment’s coffin.

Still, a final call has not been made. While Cohen has hinted at significant changes for RHONJ, noting that the Season 14 finale felt like a “series finale” due to the lack of resolution and emotional flashbacks, he is open to anything happening. When asked about the future of RHONJ, Cohen stated, “I think there’s a world that anything can happen.”

For now, it appears that The Real Housewives of Rhode Island wasn’t created specifically to replace RHONJ. Still, we can’t help but feel a bit suspicious.