How to Watch the Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 13

“Welcome back, Scumbag!” said in our absolute best New Jersey accent, but still incomparable to when Dolores Catania said it in Season 8. The Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 13 is already here with brand-new episodes! Let's dive into what you need to know.

Cast of The Real Housewives of New Jersey

New Castmates

For the first time in nearly four seasons, RHONJ is introducing new full-time housewives to the mix: Danielle Cabral and Rachel Fuda.

Not be confused with OG RHONJ alum Danielle Staub, Danielle “I’d rather be bougie than basic” Cabral hails from Long Island, but clearly bleeds for New Jersey. Danielle and her husband, Nathan Cabral, have a young family together with two kids. With some preexisting ties to Teresa Giudice and Dolores Catania, it will be interesting to see how those relationships evolve or crumble in the coming episodes.

“A glamorous Tim Burton character” is what Margaret Josephs says to newbie Rachel Fuda in the RHONJ Season 13 trailer, though the context of why and how that was said to Rachel Fuda is still yet to be determined, but we are hoping it is all from a place of love and not shade (or do we?). Not only is Rachel Fuda the youngest wife to grace the RHONJ cast, but she also gave birth to her newest daughter, Giuliana, seven whole weeks before filming of RHONJ Season 13 began.

Just as Danielle Cabral has a preexisting friendship with Teresa Giudice, Rachel Fuda has one with Melissa Gorga through their sons’ friendship. It seems like these newbies already have chosen sides, but we will have to keep watching to see how it plays out!

Returning Housewives

Returning to the series as full-time housewives are Teresa Guidice, Melissa Gorga, Dolores Catania, Margaret Josephs, and Jennifer Aydin. While Teresa remains the only OG housewife from the first season, it feels like all the returning wives could be considered OGs due to their tenures. Teresa and Melissa are no longer “faking” their relationship for the cameras, which appears to be the most real relationship they have had in years. Jennifer and Margaret are feuding for the umpteenth time in the very first episode, and it looks like it will persist in coming ones. Lastly, Dolores continues her path of least resistance: trying to be a friend to all.

Friends of The Housewives

A cast can only be fully complete with — arguably the best roles to be filled — the recurring “Friends of” wives. This season we are introduced to newbie Friend of Margaret Josephs, Jennifer Fessler, a comedic, and highly relatable scene-stealer. When the women argue over typical Housewives’ topics, you can catch Jennifer Fessler enjoying homemade mozzarella cheese in the corner, commentating on the drama. Another familiar face of the Friends of cast is Jackie Goldschneider. The Bravo personality had been a full-time housewife of the show for the past four seasons, but this season she is taking a step back. She later revealed to People that she is appreciative of Bravo and her involvement in the show: “The fact that they understood… so that I could remain a part of the show and still prioritize my health was such a gift.”

What’s Already Happened & What’s to Come

Things are already heating up in Jersey on the latest season of RHONJ. Friendships crumbling, family ties weakening, and daring newbies make for an explosive cocktail that is the newest season of The Real Housewives of New Jersey franchise.

We begin the season with Teresa Giudice in the throes of wedding planning with her fiancé, Louis Reales, while simultaneously being faced with repairing her fractured relationship with brother Joe Gorga and sister-in-law Melissa Gorga. These beginning episodes painfully depict how hurt and sad both sides are feeling and how unmotivated each is to mend fences for the ultimate goal of family.

While Dolores Catania seemingly appears to be in the ultimate honeymoon phase with new boyfriend Paulie Connell, it comes at a cost with ex Frank Catania who is starting to feel obsolete in their shared life together. Things are looking up for Margaret Josephs since she made amends with Teresa in the first episode of Season 13, but struggles to move forward with Jennifer Aydin. Margaret is not the only one — both Dolores Catania and even her husband, Bill Aydin, struggle to keep the peace with Jennifer. Even though it feels like smooth sailing for most, it is teased in early episodes that Aydin and Giudice learn something of Josephs’ past that could cause serious issues for Margaret and her relationships with the other wives.

Take a Look at the Season 13 Mid-Season Trailer

Where to Watch the New Season of RHONJ?

Season 13 premiered on Feb 7 on Bravo and will continue to debut weekly episodes every Tuesday on Bravo at 9 p.m. ET/PT and next-day on Peacock.

Stream every episode of The Real Housewives of New Jersey on Peacock!