Real Housewives Franchise in Order (List)

The Real Housewives franchise is a popular reality television series that has captivated audiences around the world.

With its mix of drama, glamour, and larger-than-life personalities, the franchise has become a cultural phenomenon.

From its humble beginnings in Orange County to its expansion into multiple cities and spin-offs, the Real Housewives franchise has grown into a global brand.

Real Housewives Franchise in Order

Below is the list of “The Real Housewives” franchise in the order of their premiere dates:

The Real Housewives of Orange County (RHOC)

Location: Orange County, California

Premiere Date: March 21, 2006

The Real Housewives of New York City (RHONY)

Location: New York City, New York

Premiere Date: March 4, 2008

The Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA)

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Premiere Date: October 7, 2008

The Real Housewives of New Jersey (RHONJ)

Location: New Jersey

Premiere Date: May 12, 2009

The Real Housewives of D.C. (RHODC)

Location: Washington, D.C.

Premiere Date: August 5, 2010

Note: This series was canceled after one season.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (RHOBH)

Location: Beverly Hills, California

Premiere Date: October 14, 2010

The Real Housewives of Miami (RHOM)

Location: Miami, Florida

Premiere Date: February 22, 2011

Note: This series was canceled after three seasons but was revived in 2021.

The Real Housewives of Potomac (RHOP)

Location: Potomac, Maryland

Premiere Date: January 17, 2016

The Real Housewives of Dallas (RHOD)

Location: Dallas, Texas

Premiere Date: April 11, 2016

International Installments:

The Real Housewives of Athens

Location: Athens, Greece

Premiere Date: March 4, 2011

The Real Housewives of Vancouver

Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Premiere Date: April 4, 2012

The Real Housewives of Melbourne

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Premiere Date: February 23, 2014

The Real Housewives of Cheshire

Location: Cheshire, England

Premiere Date: January 12, 2015

The Real Housewives of Auckland

Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Premiere Date: August 22, 2016

The Real Housewives of Sydney

Location: Sydney, Australia

Premiere Date: February 26, 2017

The Real Housewives of Toronto

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Premiere Date: March 7, 2017

The Real Housewives of Johannesburg

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Premiere Date: August 3, 2018

The Real Housewives of Durban

Location: Durban, South Africa

Premiere Date: January 29, 2021

The Real Housewives of Dubai

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Premiere Date: June 1, 2022

Each series follows the lives of the women featured, showcasing their personal and professional highs and lows, relationships, and activities in their respective locales.

Below we look deeper at the history of the Real Housewives franchise, its impact on popular culture, and the order in which the various shows and spin-offs were introduced.

Table of Contents

The Birth of the Real Housewives Franchise

The Real Housewives franchise was created by television producer Scott Dunlop and premiered on March 21, 2006, with the first season of The Real Housewives of Orange County.

The show followed the lives of five affluent women living in Orange County, California, and quickly gained a dedicated fan base.

The success of the show led to the creation of spin-offs in other cities, and the Real Housewives franchise was born.

The Real Housewives of Orange County

The Real Housewives of Orange County (RHOC) is the original show that started it all.

It follows the lives of wealthy women living in Orange County, California, and provides a glimpse into their personal and professional lives.

RHOC has been praised for its authenticity and has become a cultural touchstone for reality television.

The Real Housewives of New York City

Following the success of RHOC, Bravo decided to expand the franchise to the East Coast with The Real Housewives of New York City (RHONY).

Premiering on March 4, 2008, RHONY introduced viewers to a new group of affluent women navigating the social scene of New York City.

The show quickly became a hit and has remained one of the franchise’s most popular installments.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta

On October 7, 2008, Bravo introduced The Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA), which showcased the lives of wealthy women in Atlanta, Georgia.

RHOA brought a new level of drama and entertainment to the franchise, and its success solidified the Real Housewives as a cultural phenomenon.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

The Real Housewives of New Jersey (RHONJ) premiered on May 12, 2009, and focused on the lives of women living in affluent communities in New Jersey.

RHONJ quickly became known for its explosive confrontations and family dynamics, making it a must-watch for fans of the franchise.

The Real Housewives of D.C.

In an attempt to expand the franchise’s reach, Bravo introduced The Real Housewives of D.C. (RHODC) on August 5, 2010.

The show followed the lives of women in Washington, D.C., and explored the intersection of politics and social status.

However, RHODC failed to resonate with viewers and was canceled after only one season.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

On October 14, 2010, Bravo premiered The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (RHOBH), which introduced viewers to the glamorous and opulent world of Beverly Hills.

RHOBH quickly became a fan favorite, thanks to its high-profile cast and dramatic storylines.

The Real Housewives of Miami

The Real Housewives of Miami (RHOM) premiered on February 22, 2011, and followed the lives of women in Miami, Florida.

While RHOM had its share of drama, it failed to achieve the same level of success as some of the other installments in the franchise and was canceled after three seasons.

The Real Housewives of Potomac

On January 17, 2016, Bravo introduced The Real Housewives of Potomac (RHOP), which focused on the lives of wealthy women in Potomac, Maryland.

RHOP has been praised for its diverse cast and has gained a dedicated following since its premiere.

The Real Housewives of Dallas

The Real Housewives of Dallas (RHOD) premiered on April 11, 2016, and showcased the lives of women in Dallas, Texas.

RHOD has been known for its Southern charm and larger-than-life personalities, making it a fan favorite among viewers.

Spin-Offs and Specials

In addition to the main installments of the Real Housewives franchise, there have been several spin-offs and specials that have further expanded the brand’s reach.

These spin-offs have provided viewers with even more drama, entertainment, and insight into the lives of the women featured in the franchise.

The Real Housewives of Vancouver

The Real Housewives of Vancouver (RHOV) premiered on April 4, 2012, and followed the lives of wealthy women in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

RHOV was the first international installment of the franchise and introduced viewers to a new group of women with their own unique dynamics.

The Real Housewives of Melbourne

On February 23, 2014, The Real Housewives of Melbourne (RHOMelbourne) premiered, showcasing the lives of women in Melbourne, Australia.

RHOMelbourne has been praised for its glamorous cast and has become a hit in its home country.

The Real Housewives of Cheshire

The Real Housewives of Cheshire (RHOCheshire) premiered on January 12, 2015, and followed the lives of women in Cheshire, England.

RHOCheshire has been successful in the UK and has provided viewers with a glimpse into the lives of affluent women across the pond.

The Real Housewives of Sydney

The Real Housewives of Sydney (RHOS) premiered on February 26, 2017, and focused on the lives of women in Sydney, Australia.

RHOS brought a new level of drama and entertainment to the franchise and has gained a dedicated following.

The Real Housewives of Auckland

On August 22, 2016, The Real Housewives of Auckland (RHOAKL) premiered, showcasing the lives of women in Auckland, New Zealand.

RHOAKL provided viewers with a unique perspective on the franchise and introduced them to a new group of women with their own set of dynamics.

FAQs – Real Housewives Franchise in Order

1. How many cities are there in the Real Housewives franchise?

There are currently nine main installments of the Real Housewives franchise, each set in a different city.

2. Which city was the first to have a Real Housewives show?

The Real Housewives of Orange County was the first show in the franchise and premiered on March 21, 2006.

3. Which city was the most recent addition to the franchise?

The Real Housewives of Dallas was the most recent addition to the franchise and premiered on April 11, 2016.

4. Are there any international versions of the Real Housewives franchise?

Yes, there are several international versions of the Real Housewives franchise, including shows set in Vancouver, Melbourne, Cheshire, Sydney, and Auckland.

5. Which city has been the most successful in terms of ratings?

The Real Housewives of Atlanta has consistently been one of the highest-rated installments in the franchise.

6. Has there ever been a Real Housewives show that was canceled?

Yes, The Real Housewives of D.C. was canceled after only one season.

7. Are the women on the Real Housewives shows actually married?

While some of the women featured on the Real Housewives shows are married, others may be divorced or in relationships.

8. Are the conflicts on the Real Housewives shows real or staged?

While some aspects of the conflicts may be exaggerated for entertainment purposes, the emotions and tensions between the women are generally real.

9. Are there any male cast members on the Real Housewives shows?

While the main cast of the Real Housewives shows is predominantly female, there have been male cast members featured in supporting roles or as friends of the housewives.

10. How long do seasons of the Real Housewives shows typically last?

Seasons of the Real Housewives shows typically last around 12 to 20 episodes, depending on the city and the season.

11. Are there any plans for future spin-offs or new cities in the Real Housewives franchise?

Bravo is constantly exploring new opportunities for spin-offs and new cities in the Real Housewives franchise, so there may be future additions to the lineup.

12. Are the Real Housewives shows available to stream online?

Yes, many of the Real Housewives shows are available to stream online through various platforms and streaming services.

13. Have any of the Real Housewives become celebrities outside of the show?

Some of the Real Housewives have achieved celebrity status and have gone on to pursue careers in various industries, including fashion, beauty, and entertainment.

14. Are the Real Housewives shows popular outside of the United States?

Yes, the Real Housewives franchise has gained a dedicated following around the world and has been successful in many international markets.

15. How has the Real Housewives franchise impacted popular culture?

The Real Housewives franchise has had a significant impact on popular culture, influencing fashion trends, introducing catchphrases, and sparking conversations about women’s empowerment and social dynamics.

16. Why is the Real Housewives so popular?

“The Real Housewives” is a media franchise that consists of several reality television series broadcast on Bravo in the United States.

The shows document the lives of affluent housewives and entrepreneurs residing in varying regions throughout the United States and internationally.

Summary – Real Housewives Franchise in Order

The Real Housewives franchise has become a cultural phenomenon, captivating audiences around the world with its mix of drama, glamour, and larger-than-life personalities.

From its humble beginnings in Orange County to its expansion into multiple cities and spin-offs, the franchise has grown into a global brand.

The order in which the various shows and spin-offs were introduced is as follows:

The Real Housewives of Orange County
The Real Housewives of New York City
The Real Housewives of Atlanta
The Real Housewives of New Jersey
The Real Housewives of D.C.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
The Real Housewives of Miami
The Real Housewives of Potomac
The Real Housewives of Dallas

In addition to these main installments, there have been several spin-offs and specials, including:

The Real Housewives of Vancouver
The Real Housewives of Melbourne
The Real Housewives of Cheshire
The Real Housewives of Sydney
The Real Housewives of Auckland

The Real Housewives franchise continues to entertain and captivate audiences with its unique blend of reality television and larger-than-life personalities.

Whether you’re a fan of the original show or one of its many spin-offs, the Real Housewives franchise offers a guilty pleasure that keeps viewers coming back for more.

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