Shep & Austen Say They “Really Get Into It” with Craig in Southern Charm Season 8

Ba ba doo! Southern Charm is back for Season 8 with a supersize premiere on Thursday, June 23, at 9/8c.

And if you couldn’t already tell that things are going to be absolutely chaotic in Charleston from the above trailer for Season 8, Shep Rose and Austen Kroll’s tease of what’s to come will definitely make your jaw drop.

The Daily Dish spoke with the Southern Charm-ers on the red carpet of the NBCUniversal upfront on Monday, May 16, and they revealed that this season is going to start off with some major tension between them and Craig Conover. “Well, Craig and Austen and I really get into it. And at first it’s me and Austen against Craig in the beginning of the season,” Shep revealed. “And we have our reasons, damn it, and you’re gonna have to see.”

Shep went on to give more insight into why things became strained between him and Craig. “He wasn’t a very good friend leading up to the last season with reaching out or anything,” Shep explained. “And we were like, look, I get it that you’re busy, congratulations, but come on, I mean, friendships trump everything, in my opinion.”

Austen added of their upcoming conflict with Craig, “We have our reasons.”

But it’s also a balancing act for Austen, who said he often feels caught in the middle of Shep and Craig’s drama. “I feel like I’m in between Shep and Craig,” he told The Daily Dish. “I’m, like, trying to hold them. Like, come together. You guys secretly love each other.”

Shep also said “there’s a lot of other stuff that goes on” this season, including his relationship with Taylor Ann Green, who joins the cast this season.

When Craig appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in March, he told fans to expect a "really, really good" season of Southern Charm. “When people think Southern Charm, this is the season,” he teased. “There’s stuff that happens that you just can’t make up.”

As for the return of his ex-girlfriend, Naomie Olindo, to the cast, Craig told Andy Cohen that he “was actually a big proponent of it.”

“She came clean about everything. She apologized to everyone that she needed to,” Craig said on WWHL earlier this spring. “And, great, she said she was sorry. She was honest about it.”

Craig added that Season 8 “brings it all home” for Southern Charm fans. “People are really going to enjoy this season,” he said.

In addition to Austen, Shep, Craig, and Naomie, Season 8 of Southern Charm will see the return of Leva Bonaparte, Kathryn Dennis, and Madison LeCroy to the cast. Charleston grand dame Patricia Altschul returns with her son, Whitney Sudler-Smith, as well. And John Pringle will also join in on the group’s antics in the new season.

Taylor and Venita Aspen, familiar faces to Southern Charm fans, will be new to the cast this season, in addition to newcomers Olivia Flowers, Marcie Hobbs, and Chleb Ravenell.

Each episode of Southern Charm Season 8 will stream the next day on Peacock. Catch up on all the previous seasons of Southern Charm on Peacock or on the Bravo app now.

See everything Season 8 has in store for us in the trailer above. And find out what all the cast members have going on heading into the new season, according to a press release for Season 8, below.

Kathryn Dennis

Kathryn celebrates her 30th birthday and is in a new relationship with her live-in boyfriend, Chleb. While she would love for the next decade of her life to be smooth sailing, she struggles to figure out exactly how to steer her way through. When an old friend moves back to town, she lets old resentments bubble to the surface.

Chleb Ravenell

A former college athlete, Chleb prides himself on discipline and hard work, which he channels into his relationship with Kathryn. He also has a close bond with his mother, Debbie, who is not afraid to voice what she thinks is best for her son.

Leva Bonaparte

Leva has moved into a new house in an upscale neighborhood with Lamar and their son, but she is wrestling with her mental health and the demands of running four restaurants on King Street.

Craig Conover

Craig has finally made things official with his new girlfriend, Paige, but when the former love of his life shows up, his new relationship faces unexpected challenges. To complicate the situation, Whitney inserts himself when he decides to throw major shade at his friend.

Naomie Olindo

Looking to mend her broken heart, Naomie leaves New York and heads back to Charleston. She is hoping for a fresh start, but drama with an old fling resurfaces while she sets her sights on a steamy new romance.

Shep Rose

At 42 years old and facing pressure to settle down, Shep finds himself at a crossroads in his relationship with his girlfriend, Taylor, who is still grappling with Shep’s past mistakes. When Shep reaches his breaking point, his friends waste no time calling him out and coming to her defense.

Taylor Ann Green

Patient and steadfast, Taylor leans on the group when she confronts past and present scares in her relationship. While quick to stand up for her friends, the dental assistant finds herself thinking twice about whether or not Shep is worth sticking around for.

Austen Kroll

Austen is enjoying professional success and has set his sights on a new love interest, Olivia. But putting his romantic past behind him looks difficult, as much as he attempts to convince himself otherwise.

Olivia Flowers

Olivia returned home to Charleston shortly before the pandemic hit, and what was supposed to be a weeklong vacation turned into a permanent stay. After a DM from Austen, she finds herself smitten. Though she is excited to be reunited with her friend Leva, she quickly gets caught in the crossfire of old feuds.

Madison LeCroy

Newly engaged Madison is busy planning her wedding and splitting time between South Carolina and California. High off the success of her Charleston-based salon, Madison refuses to let resentful exes rain on her parade.

Venita Aspen

A jack of all trades, Venita is a full-time model and influencer known around Charleston for her glamour, immaculate parties, and head-to-toe perfect outfits. As she finds her footing with the group, Venita tries to reconcile her issues with Kathryn, though she and Olivia might not see eye to eye.

Marcie Hobbs

Shep’s younger cousin Marcie is one of the few people who can ask Shep the hard-hitting questions without feeling his wrath. She is expecting a baby girl with her new husband, John.

— Reporting by Stephanie Gomulka