Stream It or Skip It: ‘Ladies of London: The New Reign’ on Bravo, proving that reboots can be better than the original

This week’s Bravo lineup has us hopping across the pond for Ladies of London: The New Reign. The network has a jam-packed schedule this week, with the Vanderpump Rules Season 12 reunion, the Southern Hospitality Season 4 premiere, and the return of Ladies of London after a nearly 10-year hiatus (and with an entirely new cast). Based on the trailer, the show seemed promising, and after watching the first two episodes, I can safely report that this reboot is not one to miss. Keep reading for my thoughts on Ladies of London: The New Reign.

Opening Shot: Ladies of London: The New Reign opens with Mark-Francis Vandelli, the only male cast member, introducing London’s social season. It feels very Bridgerton, but I digress. Walking into Dartmouth House, Mark-Francis is the first cast member fans get to meet as he prepares for his first garden party of the season.

The Gist: Ladies of London: The New Reign comes nearly a decade after the original Ladies of London went off the air. The show follows a group of British socialites and American ex-pats navigating the London social scene, finicky friendships, and busy careers.

What Shows Will It Remind You Of? With social hierarchies, drama, and the affluent characters, Ladies of London: The New Reign most closely resembles that of a Real Housewives show (sans the bloggers). But the old-money vibe is also giving Southern Charm if Southern Charm were based in London instead of Charleston, SC.

Our Take: Ladies of London: The New Reign had me hooked from the moment it started until the moment it ended. This show is escapism at its finest. Give me more of Martha Lady Sitwell and her pet bird, more of Mark-Francis’ scathing reads, and more of Lottie Kane and her fashionista husband. Casting knew exactly what they were doing when they found this crop of socialites and entrepreneurs. I know I’ve only seen two episodes, but it’s refreshing to watch a show that doesn’t feel like the newcomers are immediately trying to sell you a product or overproduce drama. Whatever rumors were being spread were going to be spread whether a camera was on these people or not — and that, my friends, is how reality television should always feel.

On the topic of casting, I can’t help but feel intrigued by each person’s story. Mark-Francis, who got his reality TV start on Made in Chelsea, is the son of a Russian princess and he grew up traveling between Italy and London because his parents never lived together. Martha, a model discovered by Vivienne Westwood, was rich, then poor, then rich again, then poor again after her divorces left her nothing. Lady Emma Thynn is the first woman of color to marry into the British aristocracy. Lottie and her husband, who works in fashion and sports an incredible mustache, are expecting their first baby this season. Margo Stilley is an American actress best known for appearing in the most sexually explicit mainstream British film of all time (but she swears it’s not a porno). Kimi Murdoch is a Haitian American antiques dealer with young twins and an ex-husband she invites over for dinner (oh, and she has a penchant for taxidermy). Missé Beqiri is a Swedish model who previously starred in The Real Housewives of Cheshire and isn’t afraid to bring drama to a dinner table. And, finally, Myka Meier is an etiquette coach who quite literally trained under the same royal household member who taught Princess Diana. This is a colorful group of newbie Bravolebs and I have full faith that they will not disappoint the fanbase.

Of course, what’s a reality show without some drama? Well, Ladies of London: The New Reign hits the ground running. Minutes into their first cast event, multiple people bring up a salacious rumor going around about Dara Huang, the lifelong best friend of Myka and mother to Princess Beatrice’s stepson. While we don’t know where the rumor stemmed from, it is refreshing to see some drama that didn’t start from a blogger, a podcast, or anywhere outside of their little reality TV bubble. Without revealing any spoilers, you’ll be itching for more by the time Episode 2 ends. I know I am.

Sex and Skin: None. These are classy women, for crying out loud! But if you do want some sex and skin, we will direct you to Margo’s movie, 9 Songs, in which she has real sex with her co-star.

Parting Shot: Since fans were treated to TWO new episodes to kick off the season, the second episode ends on a nail-biting cliffhanger, with one cast member’s fate on the show seemingly sealed (BUT NO SPOILERS)!

Sleeper Star: The early drama might be surrounding Dara and Myka, but I can’t help but find myself wanting to know more about Martha. Who was she married to?! How did she end up living in a grottage with a magpie named Hecate?! We NEED to know more about this woman!

Most Pilot-y Line: “Oh, I think she’s a madam!” The opening episodes talk a lot about one of the women allegedly being a madam, and the drama that stems from the rumor will have you on the edge of your seat.

Our Call: STREAM IT. Ladies of London: The New Reign proves that a reboot can be better than the original show.