Vanderpump Rules Season 12: Meet SUR’s Bold New Cast and Unravel the Drama

Lisa Vanderpump Ushers in a New Era at SUR

For more than a decade, Vanderpump Rules has thrived on chaos, charisma, and the complicated ties between SUR’s staff. Now, with season 12 premiering December 2 on Bravo, the show takes a bold leap: a nearly complete cast reboot. The legendary Lisa Vanderpump remains at the helm, ready to guide a new generation through the mayhem that’s made SUR famous.
“I used to say SUR is where you take your mistress,” Lisa quips in the trailer’s opening moments. “But now, it’s probably where you meet her.” Her signature wit frames the season’s promise: nothing boring, plenty of trouble, and a family—flawed, but hers.

Fresh Faces, Familiar Fire: Meet the New Cast

Season 12 introduces a vibrant crew, each bringing their own ambitions and vulnerabilities. Venus Binkley, the self-proclaimed glue of the group, finds himself at the center of gossip and group dynamics. Venus, encouraged by friends to break out of his comfort zone, is forced to choose sides when drama escalates between Marcus, Kim, and Natalie.

Angelica Jensen, SUR’s newest staffer, dives straight into the mix—her confessional reveals a penchant for workplace relationships. Her immediate attraction to Shayne Davis, a charismatic actor who doesn’t actually work at SUR, kicks off a chain reaction. Shayne’s notorious commitment issues and playful approach to dating land him in hot water, even with his closest friends. “Part of why it’s hard for me to commit,” he admits, “I get terrified about ‘what about all the other chicks?’” Chris Hahn, Shayne’s loyal friend and SUR bartender, is quick to call out bro-code violations, underscoring the tangled relationships that define the show.

Jason Cohen, another aspiring actor, shares the spotlight with his cousin Chris. Jason’s charm wins over colleagues and potential love interests, though his romantic pursuits often backfire. Audrey Lingle, bubbly and recently single, is chasing both new flings and dreams of stardom—her eye set on a SUR bad boy who might just lead her astray.

Marcus Johnson, who’s worked at SUR for years, grapples with personal loss and a shifting focus toward his DJ career. His relationship with Kim Suarez is under strain, especially as Kim juggles her own ambitions in entertainment and the turbulence of their on-again, off-again romance.

Demy Selem, SUR’s manager for seven years, knows every secret in the restaurant. Her professionalism sometimes clashes with friendships, particularly with Natalie Maguire, the lead bartender who’s eyeing a promotion and pursuing a pop music career. Natalie’s love life, meanwhile, remains a flashpoint for group friction.

Old Rules, New Drama: The SUR Family Dynamic

The trailer, released November 3 (E! Online, People), doesn’t shy away from the wild side. Staffers party hard, strip down for skinny-dipping, and debate whether “aquamarine” is “gay enough” for a cocktail name. A much-discussed “penis pump” becomes a running gag, and Lisa herself gets mooned by two men—reminders that, at SUR, boundaries are meant to be tested.

Yet beneath the surface-level antics, SUR remains a crucible for real relationships. Lisa’s guiding hand is ever-present. “They’re not perfect, but they’re mine,” she says, cementing her role as both boss and surrogate matriarch. The new cast, described by Bravo as “deep-rooted, dynamic friends, frenemies and lovers,” inherits a legacy of complicated entanglements—one shift always giving way to another.

Beyond the Bar: Ambition, Loyalty, and the Price of Fame

Season 12 isn’t just about hookups and heated exchanges. The fresh faces are chasing more than attention; they’re pursuing careers in acting, music, and nightlife. Chris Hahn has shifted his focus from acting to music, viewing SUR as a stepping stone. Demy Selem’s managerial ambitions threaten her closest friendships, while Natalie Maguire pushes for a bar manager role and pop stardom, risking conflict with Lisa and her peers.

Marcus Johnson’s struggle to balance personal loss with professional ambition speaks to a deeper theme—the cost of chasing dreams in an environment where work and play are inseparable. Kim Suarez wonders if her tumultuous romance with Marcus will derail her performance at SUR, reflecting the very real tension between personal and professional lives in the public eye.

A Legacy of Drama: Advice from the Past and Hopes for the Future

As the new cast steps into the spotlight, veterans like Tom Sandoval offer guidance: “You have to be open. Don’t try to force anything. Just be yourself and concentrate on the dynamics of your real friendships, your real connections.” The advice, given in an interview with People, underscores the show’s enduring formula—authenticity, vulnerability, and the willingness to let relationships play out, no matter how messy.

Bravo’s “Raise Your Glass to 11 Seasons” special, airing November 25, provides a nostalgic look back at the show’s journey. Lisa Vanderpump reflects, “The last 12 years of filming have been an extraordinary run full of laughter, tears and everything in between. In the restaurant business, one shift always gives way to another. Cheers to the next generation of Vanderpump Rules.”

With episodes streaming on Peacock after their Bravo debut, the stage is set for a new era—one that promises to honor the show’s roots while exploring fresh dynamics, new heartbreaks, and the ever-present chaos of life at SUR.

Season 12’s reboot signals more than just new faces; it’s a test of whether the essence of Vanderpump Rules—unfiltered drama, genuine bonds, and relentless ambition—can thrive in a new generation. The cast is raw, unguarded, and ready to take risks, but only time will tell if they can match the unforgettable legacy of those who came before.