Everything to Know About ‘Southern Charm’ Season 9: Why Kathryn Dennis Is Leaving, Where Relationships Stand and More

Kathryn confirmed her departure as a full-time cast member in January 2023. She revealed in a statement at the time that she has built friendships that she will “always treasure” on the show after growing up in front of the camera.

“The love y’all have shown for me not only gave me the strength I needed to tackle all [my ups and downs] but helped me realize that I wasn’t alone. I’m so grateful,” the original cast member explained. “I’ll be carrying that love with me as I enter this next chapter of my life, away from the Southern Charm lens. I’m thankful for Bravo, the producers at Haymaker and my Charleston cast mates for everything.”

“You’re going to see what I have going on. I know last year, I kind of took a step back and this year I’m coming back full throttle,” the hairstylist revealed during her “New Year Fitness Goals” Amazon Live! stream in January 2023. “And yeah, I’m going to show you guys what I’ve been doing, what’s going on with me, where I’m at in my life, so that will be really fun and interesting to do.”

During the season 8 reunion special, which filmed in September 2022, Olivia confirmed that she and Austen were no longer dating after getting together in late 2021. “I was ready to be in the relationship, but it was him that, like, couldn’t figure it out,” she told host Andy Cohen at the time.

The “Pillows and Beer” podcast cohost, for his part, exclusively told Us in October 2022 that he wouldn’t rule out a possible reconciliation in the future. “I would never say never with her. She’s such an important person in my life and, like, she was huge for me, you know, this year to kind of get back to, you know, who I think that I am,” Austen explained. “So, I would never say never with that one.”

Us confirmed in July 2022 that Taylor and Shep had called it quits after more than two years together. During the season 8 reunion special, which aired in October 2022, the clinical assistant broke down over Shep allegedly moving on so quickly after the breakup.

“We spent two and a half years together. You’ve allegedly slept with over 300 women,” Taylor claimed on the show. “You went out. You partied. Now you’ve wrapped me into this slew of whores who you’ve f—king. And now I’m just a number. And that’s what f—ked me up in the head.”

Later that month, Shep exclusively told Us at BravoCon that he will “always be in love” with Taylor despite going their separate ways.

Taylor, for her part, confessed to Us in October 2022 that she thought that she and the Average Expectations author would get “back together” if Shep worked on himself. “But that’s not the case, so we’re good,” she said at BravoCon. “I wish him well.”

The restaurant owner got into a heated argument with Craig during the season 8 finale, which aired in September 2022. The fight resulted in the Sewing Down South founder throwing Leva out of his holiday party — and put a strain on their longstanding friendship.

While the pair appeared to be cordial during the reunion special, which aired the following month, all was not forgotten. “[That evening] drastically changed our friendship,” Leva exclusively told Us at the time of the altercation.

The Bourbon ‘N Bubbles cofounder, however, confirmed to Us in November 2022 that she and Craig had since “made amends” and the businessman had congratulated her of her spinoff series, Southern Hospitality.

Bravo confirmed in August 2023 that Venita, Leva, Craig, Olivia, Taylor, Austen, Madison and Shep are all returning. Patricia Altschul and her son, Whitney Sudler-Smith, will continue to make cameos as they’ve done in seasons past.

Rod Razavi and Jarrett “JT” Thomas are both joining the cast as possible suitors for single ladies Olivia and Taylor.

Rod is described as a “staple in the Charleston social scene and a quintessential southern gent who has swept Olivia off her feet,” per an August 2023 press release. JT, meanwhile, is known for being “a successful southern eccentric with a loud personality,” who is vying for Taylor’s attention.

Rodrigo Reyes, who is a longtime friend of the cast, will round out this season’s fresh faces. Rodrigo is an interior designer who has a long-term boyfriend named Tyler.

Bravo released the first look at the new season in August 2023 and Austen and Taylor’s rumored hookup — which initially made headlines in March 2023 — is at the center of all the drama.

“Something happened with me and Taylor,” Austen claimed in the clip, while Taylor vowed to Olivia that they “never” hooked up. “Swear on my life,” she told her one-time BFF. Olivia, meanwhile, didn’t seem convinced and later slammed Taylor and Austen, saying, “Between the two of y’all, the lies are un f—king real.”

Craig, for his part, teased that his future with longtime girlfriend Paige DeSorbo is at a standstill as she continues to steer away from engagement discussions. Newlywed Madison, meanwhile, hinted at a possible pregnancy in the clip after marrying Brett Randle in November 2022.

Southern Charm returns on Thursday, September 14, at 9 p.m. ET. All episodes will be available to stream next day on Peacock.