Why a fan favorite Real Housewives star just walked away from the new season

Bit of a curveball for fans of Bravo's newest Real Housewives spin-off—one of the breakout stars from the debut season of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island is making a sharp exit just as cameras start rolling on series two. Not the sort of development you expect from a show that just raked in record numbers, but here we are.

Liz McGraw Bows Out

So, who’s missing in action? Liz McGraw. She was front and centre in RHORI’s successful first run, but she's now opted out of season two before filming really gets going. Her departure was confirmed in a pretty heartfelt Instagram reel (because, obviously, it’s 2026):

'I’m full of gratitude for the amazing opportunity to appear on this show. As filming for Season 2 begins, I have made the decision to take a step back and focus on my family, my work and my passions.'

'The RHORI cast is an amazing group of women who have created something special. I’ll be watching next season, rooting for the continued success of this franchise. For now, I look forward to enjoying this little corner of the world from the other side of the camera.'

It’s all very gracious and diplomatic. She’s stepping away on her own terms, chalking it up to wanting to spend more time with family and her various projects. (Translation: No, she apparently wasn’t fired, despite the recent drama with a cast mate on a different ‘Reunion’ episode. That’s a separate soap opera entirely.)

Season One Was a Smash

For context, The Real Housewives of Rhode Island—the latest entry in the ever-expanding Housewives empire—made its splashy debut on Peacock back in April 2026. According to Bravo, the show landed 2.7 million viewers across the different platforms in its first week. That’s no small feat; it’s actually their most-watched multiplatform series launch since 2024, which is a big deal even by Bravo’s standards.

Who’s Still In the Frame?

• Alicia Carmody
• Rosie DiMare
• Ashley Iaconetti
• Rulla Nehme Pontarelli
• Kelsey Swanson
• Jo-Ellen Tiberi

These six—all original cast—are returning for round two. And yes, despite the abrupt departure of Liz, filming is pressing on; cameras start up again in July.

A little show background

For the uninitiated, RHORI (as the locals and lazy headlines call it) is your classic Housewives cocktail: plenty of posh, plenty of drama, all revolving around a tight-knit set of wealthy Rhode Island women. It’s the same formula that’s underpinned the houses of Orange County, Beverly Hills, New York City, and more. Can’t fault Bravo for sticking with what works—and it clearly worked here.

The show’s production is an Amazon MGM Studios/Evolution Media joint, with Lucilla D'Agostino, Jen McClure-Metz, Joseph Ferraro and Barry Poznick in the top slots as executive producers. There’s a surprisingly long tail of extra EPs—Bianca Barnes-Williams, James Brangert, Deanna Markoff, David Mills, and, inevitably, Andy Cohen.