RHOP Season 10 to Film Without Karen Huger

On February 26, The Real Housewives of Potomac star Karen Huger was sentenced to a year in prison, following her December 2024 DUI conviction.

Filming for RHOP Season 10 is reportedly scheduled to begin at the end of this month. As Freddie Mercury said, “The Show Must Go On,” without the Grand Dame. Even though The Real Housewives of New Jersey held up filming until Teresa Giudice was released from “camp” a few years back, that same courtesy won’t be extended to Karen.

Karen Huger skipped the Real Housewives of Potomac Season 9 reunion

An inside source assured People that the news doesn’t mean Karen’s been fired from the show. She could still return after serving her time, especially if her sentence gets reduced for good behavior. Karen’s legal team still has 30 days to appeal her sentence and 90 days to request the judge to reconsider his decision.

Karen has been an original RHOP cast member since its premiere in January 2016. Viewers have seen the star weather such life events as sending her daughter Rayvin off to college and the death of her parents. Throughout Season 9, her March 2024 car crash, DUI arrest and trial were major topics of conversation.

The woman who Gizelle Bryant famously dubbed The Grand Dame of Potomac showed up for work throughout Season 9. But she was noticeably absent from the season reunion when she checked herself into a Florida rehab program. In a video Andy Cohen aired in the reunion’s Part One, Karen explained that she wanted to “get to the bottom” of her using antidepressants and alcohol.

While still insisting, “I’m not an alcoholic, let’s be clear,” the mom of two thanked (most of) her co-stars for their support.

Despite Karen’s presumed absence from Season 10, she’ll most likely still be a hot topic among the Potomac ladies. The insider even alleged that Gizelle is open to filming a jailhouse visit with Karen, if producers can get permission.

Castmates react to the Grand Dame’s prison sentence

Reactions among her castmates to Karen’s sentencing varied. Ashley Darby heard the shocking news just moments before appearing on the Tamron Hall show. After admitting she cried “like a baby,” she told the host, “I really do encourage everyone to keep Karen in your prayers. I really care about her.”

Though Wendy Osefo was “shocked” by Karen’s sentence, she told People, “I always wish her well, and I’m just keeping her in prayer.” She also added that she thinks RHOP will be just fine without Karen’s presence.

“With this group, we have found a way to navigate with her presence and without her presence,” Wen Zen reflected. “Looking at the reunion, I think that we maneuvered in a positive way as a collective, as a unit. I wish her the best, but I think that the Potomac brand still is strong.”