The Real Housewives of Potomac season 1 is an American reality T.V. show broadcasted on Bravo. It debuted on January 17, 2016, and ended on April 17, 2016. The program was primarily filmed in Potomac, Maryland, with 12 episodes.
The Real Housewives of Potomac was first revealed on November 11, 2015. The reality show was initially titled Potomac Ensemble before being introduced as part of The Real Housewives franchise. The production received some critical feedback upon learning that just two Real Housewives legitimately resided in Potomac, and the others lived in nearby communities.
The program is the eighth installment of The Real Housewives franchise, following Orange County, New York City, Atlanta, New Jersey, D.C., Beverly Hills, and Miami. Ashley McFarlin Buie, Bianca Barnes-Williams, Glenda Hersh, Lauren Eskelin, Steven Weinstock, Lorraine Haughton-Lawson, and Andy Cohen serve as executive producers.
Cast and Overview of The Real Housewives of Potomac season 1
The Real Housewives of Potomac’s first season featured six housewives, who, according to iTunes, are “women who have fought for their places in this society by way of legacy or marriage”. Here are the housewives below:
Ashley Darby previously held the title of Miss District of Columbia. After relocating to Potomac, Ashley is determined to blend in with the elite group and establish a reputation for herself. She and her husband, Michael Darby, take the first steps toward opening their own Australian-themed restaurant focused on fresh and healthy products.
Ashley longs to have a child of her own despite being a stepmother to Michael’s children, who are 21 and 24 years old.
Charrisse Jackson Jordan is a Potomac socialite and the devoted wife of NBA player-turned-coach Eddie Jordan. Additionally, she is the mother of two teenagers, Skylar, 15, and Jackson, 17. She is committed to helping others and has raised millions of dollars for various nonprofit organizations.
Charrisse has been a part of several organizations, such as the President of Behind the Bench, the National Basketball Wives Association, Knock Out Abuse Against Women, Men Against Breast Cancer, and N Street Village. She struggles with being separated from her husband, who currently lives in New Jersey, while she and the kids reside in Potomac throughout the season.
Karen Huger grew up on a farm in Virginia and now lives in Potomac’s most attractive neighborhood with her husband, Raymond. She is the mother of two children, Brandon, 27, and Rayvin, 17. Karen’s husband, a successful technology entrepreneur, is the president and CEO of a large information technology firm.
Karen is frequently referred to as the Grand Dame of Potomac because of her grasp of manners and etiquette. She has dedicated her life to being a great mother, and now that her oldest has already moved out, she must prepare for her daughter to follow suit.
An international model and television personality, Katie Rost grew up in Potomac. Katie is no stranger to Maryland’s posh social scene as she comes from an incredibly wealthy and charitable mixed family. Vogue Magazine editor Anna Wintour invited Katie to join The Vogue 100 List, a group of intriguing and fashionable women from throughout the country who serve as style arbiters.
Katie also works with her mother to operate the Ronald F. Rost Charitable Foundation in honor of her dad. Katie spends her free time with her three children, a three-year-old son named James Rocco and 14-month-old twin daughters named Kathryn and Renee. Katie has been seeing Andrew, one of Potomac’s most eligible bachelors, and she is eager to take their relationship further by getting married.
This season marked the final regular appearance of Katie Rost.
Gizelle Bryant is a busy single mother with three daughters, Grace and twins Angel and Adore. Her influential and well-known parents, who were involved in politics and philanthropy, significantly impacted her growing up. Gizelle resided in Baltimore for seven years after graduating from Hampton University and marrying pastor/activist Jamal Bryant.
Gizelle returned to Potomac for a fresh start with her kids after her marriage ended due to infidelity. In her spare time, she works with Birmingham, Alabama’s city council, to raise money for numerous organizations and to revitalize the city. Throughout the season, Gizelle navigates new business ventures in the beauty sector, especially makeup for women of color. She is also re-learning how to date.
Baltimore native Robyn Dixon earned a business marketing degree from the University of Maryland. Robyn’s early education prepared her for a public relations and event management career at TAA PR. The company takes pride in its public relations, marketing, and special events expertise in the luxury lifestyle, fashion, and hotel industries.
Being a single mother to two sons, Corey, 7, and Carter, 6, Robyn successfully juggles work and motherhood. In high school, Robyn and Juan Dixon fell in love, relocated to Potomac, and started a family. Even though they are no longer together, they accept the “new normal” and continue to live together.
Episode 1 - Mind Your Manners
At Karen’s birthday party, Gizelle’s behavior is questioned. Charrisse has criticized Gizelle for misbehaving in her home. Katie is attempting to persuade her boyfriend to propose marriage. Robyn is debating if she wants to get back together with her ex.
Episode 2 - Divas, Queens, and Bubalas
Karen and Charrisse question Gizelle’s reputation. Katie draws on her Jewish heritage. Ashley, who tries to get into the Potomac circle, meets the ladies.
Episode 3 - What a Little Whiskey Can Do
Katie displays her philanthropic side, but drama ensues when her boyfriend Andrew admits that he may have different plans for marriage. Karen and Charrisse meet Ashley, and Ashley subsequently conducts a whiskey tasting in downtown D.C., but the alcohol isn’t the only source of discomfort.
Episode 4 - Desperately Seeking Marriage
Katie works on her renovations in secret. Charrisse’s admission of the truth of her marriage leaves the women in shock. Karen learns to fly a plane. The women of Potomac are not pleased with Ashley for spreading online rumors about them. Ashley throws a birthday bash in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
Episode 5 - Error on the High Seas
Ashley learns about Potomac parties from Karen while attending a couples’ gathering she holds on a yacht. Gizelle invites a new man, and Katie is forced to deal with the repercussions of overdoing the PDA during Ashley’s birthday. Robyn seeks guidance from Charrise but is shocked by the news of the latter’s marriage.
Episode 6 - Beach Session
Ashley attempts to impress her new friends by taking them to her beach property, but she is unsuccessful. Meanwhile, Charrisse convinces the women to divulge their darkest secrets while Katie fights to gather support.
Episode 7 - Reading Is Fundamental
Gizelle calls Katie out on her weird conduct, and the other women teach Katie some reading fundamentals. When Ashley’s husband Michael suddenly visits the ladies, the trip turns for the worst, leaving Ashley contemplating the future of her new friendships.
Episode 8 - All Shades of Shade
Gizelle expands her commercial interests by arranging a makeup line focus group, which Katie declines to attend. Robyn becomes even more perplexed after she and Juan reminisce about their love memories. Karen organizes a charity event, but Ashley and her husband must first meet Karen’s requirements to attend.
Episode 9 - Fifty Sense
For her 50th birthday, Charrisse throws a big party, but everyone wonders if her husband will show up. After sending her daughter off to college, Karen reaches a significant milestone. On the dance floor, Ashley’s husband Michael grabs the buttocks of Katie’s boyfriend Andrew, causing an uproar among the ladies.
Episode 10 - Rules of Enragement
When her husband unexpectedly plans a trip to Scotland without her, Katie is taken aback. Ashley feels the pressure of having children as she ages, something she shares with her husband. To help the women’s friendships get back on track, Gizelle plans to arrange a “come to Jesus” lunch.
Karen doesn’t hold back when discussing her issues with Ashley. Katie, Robyn, and Gizelle argue about the butt grab and racial slurs.
Episode 11 - Reunion Part One
The women get together during the first portion of the reunion. The ladies revisit several of the first season’s themes, including Robyn’s sentiments for her ex-husband, Ashley’s hostess skills, and the racial remarks that sparked their heated confrontations.
Episode 12 - Reunion Part Two
The ladies return for the reunion’s second part. The husbands of Karen and Ashley join the conversation as Katie begins to discuss the state of her relationship. Charrisse follows suit, revealing the status of her marriage to her husband.