The Real Housewives of Orange County
The original Real Housewives series follows a group of wealthy women in Orange County, California, through their marriages, businesses, children and friendships, which have a way of turning into feuds. Commissioned by Bravo as a documentary-style look at life behind the gates of an upscale community, it has run for two decades with a rotating cast.
Where to watch
- Stream Peacock Watch on Peacock (opens the service)
- On TV Bravo Thu 8:00 PMOn TV this week
- Buy Apple TV Buy on Apple TV (opens the service)
- Stream TVNZ+ FreeWatch on TVNZ+ (opens the service)
Checked 25 Oct 2026. Services change their catalogues often; the service’s own page has the final word.
Our take
The original Real Housewives series follows a group of wealthy women in Orange County, California, through their marriages, businesses, children and friendships, which have a way of turning into feuds. Commissioned by Bravo as a documentary-style look at life behind the gates of an upscale community, it has run for two decades with a rotating cast.
Why watch This is where the template was set: confessional interviews, group trips and rivalries that run for years. Its success spawned Real Housewives editions in cities across the United States and abroad. Long-serving cast members such as Vicki Gunvalson, Tamra Judge and Shannon Beador give it a continuity few reality series can match. For reality devotees, and anyone curious where the franchise began.
What to know
Bravo ordered the series in April 2005 under the working title Behind the Gates. Creator Scott Dunlop first planned to set it in a single gated community in Coto de Caza, and the premise drew on scripted soaps such as Desperate Housewives and Peyton Place. It premiered on 21 March 2006 with Kimberly Bryant, Jo De La Rosa, Vicki Gunvalson, Jeana Keough and Lauri Waring.
The cast has turned over steadily. Tamra Judge arrived in season three, Gretchen Rossi in season four, Heather Dubrow in season seven and Shannon Beador in season nine. Several have left and returned, Dubrow and Judge among them. The series has aired nineteen seasons, and its twentieth features Gunvalson, Judge, Dubrow, Beador, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson, Jennifer Pedranti and Carmella Garcia. Two spin-offs came directly from it: Date My Ex: Jo & Slade and Tamra’s OC Wedding.
Where to start
Season one is closest to the original documentary idea and shows how the format began. Viewers who want the franchise in full swing can start with any of the later seasons.
Next on TV
- Thu 5 Nov · 8:00 PM Bravo S20 · E18 · Reunion Part 1 US
Seasons & episodes
- Season 1
- Season 2
- Season 3
- Season 4
- Season 5
- Season 6
- Season 7
- Season 8
- Season 9
- Season 10
- Season 11
- Season 12
- Season 13
- Season 14
- Season 15
- Season 16
- Season 17
- Season 18
- Season 19
- Season 20
Cast & crew
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Tamra Judge
Tamra Judge
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Vicki Gunvalson
Vicki Gunvalson
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Shannon Beador
Shannon Beador
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Heather Dubrow
Heather Dubrow
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Gretchen Rossi
Gretchen Rossi
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Kelly Dodd
Kelly Dodd
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Alexis Bellino
Alexis Bellino
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Meghan King Edmonds
Meghan King Edmonds
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Jeana Keough
Jeana Keough
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Lauri Peterson
Lauri Peterson
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Emily Simpson
Emily Simpson
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Gina Kirschenheiter
Gina Kirschenheiter
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Quick answers
- Where can I watch The Real Housewives of Orange County?
- In the UK: NOW, ITVX and Apple TV (buy). In the US: Peacock, Bravo (on TV) and Apple TV (buy). In New Zealand: TVNZ+. In Australia: Apple TV (buy). In Canada: Apple TV (buy).
- What is The Real Housewives of Orange County about?
- The original Real Housewives series follows a group of wealthy women in Orange County, California, through their marriages, businesses, children and friendships, which have a way of turning into feuds. Commissioned by Bravo as a documentary-style look at life behind the gates of an upscale community, it has run for two decades with a rotating cast.
- Who is in the cast of The Real Housewives of Orange County?
- The Real Housewives of Orange County stars Tamra Judge as Tamra Judge, Vicki Gunvalson as Vicki Gunvalson, Shannon Beador as Shannon Beador, Heather Dubrow as Heather Dubrow and Gretchen Rossi as Gretchen Rossi.
- When did The Real Housewives of Orange County start?
- The Real Housewives of Orange County premiered on 21 March 2006 and is still running, with 20 seasons so far.
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