Bravo just announced they are heading to the nation’s capital for the next installment of the hit “Real Housewives” series

“The Real Housewives of DC” is in development and will be “set in the influential metropolitan region of Washington, DC,” the network said yesterday in a press release. The DC show is set to follow some of Washington’s hottest power players and considering the city is full of political insiders, the wives are sure to be an interesting bunch.

Bravo is currently scouting the D.C. area to identify housewives who have their pulse on the most important cultural events, political galas, gallery openings and fundraisers in Washington society. Bravo wants someone who is the talk of the town in the most powerful city in the world. “We’re tapping personalities who are among Washington D.C.’s influential players, cultural connoisseurs, fashion sophisticates and philanthropic leaders – the people who rub elbows with the most prominent people in the country and easily move in the city’s diverse political and social circles,” said Frances Berwick, Executive Vice President of Bravo Media.

In other “Real Housewives” news, the NY Post is reporting that Bravo set up a casting call for possible replacements on “Real Housewives of NYC” for next season

The six New York City housewives, Bethenny Frankel, Kelly Killoren Bensimon, “Countess” LuAnn de Lesseps, Alex McCord, Ramona Singer and Jill Zarin, have started negotiating with the network for season 3, which is expected to start shooting at the end of the summer. But they could be in for a shock, according to a Bravo insider, who said “The show is like a baseball team, no one is irreplaceable.”

The Housewives received raises for season two and were paid $50,000 per episode, a huge jump from the $5,000 per episode they were paid for season one. Although it’s possible that all six “housewives” will return for season three, the network is holding casting calls to recruit new ladies in case negotiations with the current cast fail. Basically, Bravo wants to have their replacements lined up in case the ladies become too demanding with money and can’t settle on an agreement. Considering the head-strong personalities on the show I can see why they would want to be prepared and considering the economic crisis we face, that type of money would definitely contribute to their lavish lifestyles. A Bravo spokesperson said, “We are always looking for new and interesting characters,” but I think that’s just way of avoiding a discussion about the casting notice which has gone out. After an explosive season, Kelly Bensimon has said she doesn’t want to return to the show and she was voted by viewers as the “housewife” they wouldn’t ask back, but I can’t see the network letting her go easily after the amount of press and drama she generated for the show.  

In Case You're Interested

The casting call description (above) said, “Are you a woman living in one of the most exclusive areas of New York who has to juggle their [sic] career, home life, and a jam-packed social calendar full of charity fund-raising galas, Hampton parties and nights on the New York social scene?” reads the casting notice. Looking for women with dynamic personalities who think they have what it takes to be the next Housewife!”

As reported last week, the network has started looking for potential cast members in Beverly Hills, although the network hasn’t decided if they are going to move forward with a second California version at this time.