Foxtel has confirmed that the new lineup for Season 5 of The Real Housewives of Melbourne will be officially announced “soon” following reports that original cast member Gina Liano, who was set to return for the new season, quit the series.
The network and the series official social media pages shared a GIF featuring cast member Gamble Breaux, who appears to give a shocked face with the caption, “Cast announcement coming soon.”
However, in the post, the network appears to make the announcement this week as they are set to start filming the new season. The post captioned read, “It’s happening! Keep your eyes peeled on Wednesday...👀#RHOMelbourne”
In September 2019, the network officially announced that the series was returning for a fifth season after a two-year hiatus.
Brian Walsh, the executive director of television for Foxtel comments on the show returning for a fifth season. “This series has a huge following of loyal and adoring fans and it was paramount we picked the perfect time to commission a fifth season,” Mr. Walsh said at that time, according to news.com.au.
Walsh then revealed on The Kyle and Jackie O Show that there would be a major 'shake up' to stop the show from becoming predictable.
“Last season, Gina said that she would not come back to the show if Sally [Bloomfield] was on the series, so that's taken us some time to see how we move forward,” he explained at that time. “Gina's an important part of the franchise and we'd love to see her back, but we can't have a situation where the talent is dictating the creative on the show.”
He added: “I think it'll be fun casting and I hope that we can uncover some great new faces.”
However, In February 2020, Foxtel unveiled the official lineup for the upcoming new season of The Real Housewives of Melbourne. Anjali Rao, Kyla Kirkpatrick, and Cherry Dipietrantonio were announced as the new cast members for Season 5. The ladies were joined by returning cast members Gamble Breaux, Gina Liano, Janet Roach, and Lydia Schiavello.
Foxtel’s Group General Manager, Lifestyle said at that time: ‘The Real Housewives of Melbourne is our most loved reality program and our audience has been literally begging for us to bring it back. We couldn’t do that without shaking things up and adding a bit of spice to the fun. These are strong, successful women, and we love having a window into their lives. This is going to be viewing you can really sink your heels into...’
Matchbox Pictures Managing Director, Alastair McKinnon said: ‘The arrival of three sensational new Housewives promises to bring a new season full of all the explosive drama, scandal and high-flying antics that audiences all over the world have come to love. The wait is almost over!’
The 10-part one-hour series is executive-produced by Lisa Potasz, Pip Rubira and Dan Munday for Matchbox Pictures, in conjunction with Foxtel and will air on Foxtel’s Arena at a date to be announced.
However, in March 2020, the network confirmed that production was put on hold due to COVID-19 pandemic.
But this week it was reported that Gina was in fact leaving the series after four seasons. The Herald Sun reported the following: “Melbourne’s reality TV queen has quit the Real Housewives Of Melbourne as part of a seismic shake-up of the show,” reports News Corp’s Fiona Byrne.
In a shock move sequined style icon Gina Liano has turned on her stiletto heel and sashayed out of the Real Housewives abode.
Liano, a lawyer and civil celebrant, was one of the original housewives and parlayed her popularity into products including perfume, jewellery and shoes.
However the G-train has come to a halt with Liano choosing to exit the show which will start filming on its long delayed series five within a matter of days.
It is understood she is focusing on her legal career.”
The publication continues, “Liano’s departure will be formally announced at the Foxtel show’s start of filming bruch on Wednesday, where a number of new faces in the franchise will be revealed.
In fact, sources hint that up to four new housewives could be announced in the biggest overhaul of the cast in the show’s history.”
The Herald Sun added, “Series five was originally set to start filming around March last year but the COVID-19 crisis saw the production postponed. At that stage, the cast comprised Liano, Gamble Breaux, Janet Roach, Lydia Schiavello, Cherry Dipietrantonio, Kyla Kirkpatrick and Anjali Rao. Now, more than 12 months later, the show is back on track, albeit with some fan favorites missing.”
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Photo Credit: Foxtel; NBCUniversal
