Here's What The Real Housewives of Orange County Are Up to in Season 15

Season 15 of The Real Housewives of Orange County premieres this October — and it will not only take a closer look at the home lives, friendships, and romances of the SoCal cast, but will also take fans inside how they handled self-quarantine during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Housewives Shannon Storms Beador, Kelly Dodd, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson and Braunwyn Windham-Burke are all back for the season and will be joined by a new face: Elizabeth Lyn Vargas.

So before the premiere on Wednesday, October 7 at 9/8c, find out what the cast will be dealing with in Season 15, below.

Shannon Storms Beador

Shannon starts the year off in complete bliss with her boyfriend, John, and a new place to call home for her and her three daughters in Newport. As the sole member left in the Tres Amigas, Shannon makes peace with Kelly, but quickly gets herself into hot water with a few of the ladies. When the news of coronavirus hits, it brings her anxiety to an all-time high and causes tension between her and John when a division arises over house rules with the kids during lockdown. Shannon’s worst fears eventually come to fruition when she learns that along with her three daughters, she too has contracted COVID-19.  She documents their journey to recovery on her cell phone.

Kelly Dodd

Starting the year off on a high following her engagement to Fox News reporter Rick Leventhal, Kelly is eager to settle into their new home in Newport as she waits for him to officially get transferred to the L.A. bureau. During stay-at-home orders, Kelly makes waves among the ladies when she jet-sets around the country visiting New York City, the Hamptons, and Miami. As the election looms, Kelly’s political beliefs and tone-deaf jokes threaten her relationships with the women.

Gina Kirschenheiter

After a difficult year, Gina is happier than ever as she moves into her new townhome with her boyfriend, Travis, and their combined six children. Tensions with the ladies arise when she hears that some of the women are criticizing her new home. Trying her best to co-parent, Gina celebrates her daughter’s birthday and invites her ex-husband and his new girlfriend. Meanwhile, she faces a tough decision regarding her ex-husband that could change the dynamic of her family. With the coronavirus shutting down schools, Gina faces new challenges as she struggles to homeschool the kids while facing criticism for not joining the ladies for a "quarantine happy hour."

Emily Simpson

With a new hip and outlook on life, Emily experiences a rebirth in her marriage with Shane. She even lets “fun Emily” out and finds an unexpected ally in the group. When she is presented with an opportunity to design a bathing suit, she dives headfirst to pursue her true passion. While in quarantine, Emily and Shane really lean on each other when times get tough, ultimately testing the true strength of their marriage.

Braunwyn Windham-Burke

2020 is a year of renewal for Braunwyn as she moves into a new 8,000-square-foot home in Newport, celebrates 20 years of marriage to her husband, Sean, and embarks on a new journey of her own. During the lockdown, Braunwyn settles into parenting seven children without the help of her nannies and housekeepers. From supporting her son Jacob’s desire to dress in drag to addressing the children’s anxieties, Braunwyn has her hands full as she strives to give each child individual attention. As she opens up to the women about her past, she finds a common bond with new housewife Elizabeth, yet struggles to see eye to eye with some of the other ladies over her participation in local protests and her political views. And when the ladies learn that Braunwyn’s friend Shari spends nearly every day with her during quarantine, they begin to question her choices.

Elizabeth Lyn Vargas 

Elizabeth is welcomed to the group through Kelly, who she has known for a few years from the Newport party circuit. Born and raised in Missouri, Elizabeth always dreamed of living a life of luxury on the beaches of Orange County and with the help of her soon-to-be ex-husband, her dream has become a reality. Currently a CEO of an online music company, Elizabeth is ambitious, outspoken, and ready to have fun. As she deals with her ongoing divorce, her lifestyle as well as her complex and sexless relationship with boyfriend Jimmy creates a lot of speculation from the women and they start to scrutinize who she really is.

Catch up on previous seasons of RHOC on Peacock Premium beginning Sunday, September 20.