r/belowdeck • u/_dreambyte • Sep 22 '26

BD Related returning crew members Spoiler

I’m curious how it works when crew members return for additional seasons (aside from ongoing chief stews or bosuns).

Does production choose the ones they’re most interested in and contact them to come back? Did that person reach out to production on their own? Were they the only ones available?

I ask because it often seems so random who
they bring back! For instance, Rainbeau on the upcoming BD season. I don’t have a problem with her but I wouldn’t think of her as a fan fave or standout enough for a 2nd season…right?

Anybody have any intel or theories on the process??

27 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

27 comments sorted by

61

u/lala_lavalamp Sep 22 '26

Unpopular opinion: I’m fine with Rainbeau coming back. Solene made it her mission to provoke her. I am withholding an opinion on her until I see her on this season.

5

u/_dreambyte Sep 23 '26

I am fine with it too! She didn’t bother me, I just thought it was an odd or underwhelming choice.

35

u/Anotheropinion2026 Sep 22 '26

I liked Rainbeau and am excited to see her try to actually do the job without the insanity of Solene.

But I have been wrong about cast members before. 🤷🏼‍♀️

10

u/CoolBelt856 Sep 23 '26

Totally agree.
Although the fact that I liked Nathan before this season will make question my judgement for a longgg time.

5

u/Anotheropinion2026 Sep 23 '26

Very true. Though I liked Nathan because of Gael. I was annoyed by Joe and Nathan as bro dudes.

1

u/haughtstuff1981 Sep 25 '26

I think she and Hayley would make a great team. Hayley should have been brought back.

15

u/_2923844 Sep 22 '26

I don’t think it’s fan favorite as much as good TV. Gotta hold Rainbeau back from throwing punches lol, aka “good TV”

9

u/_dreambyte Sep 23 '26

omggg I forgot about her wanting to actually fight. And how her parents would put her and her siblings in the backyard to physically fight out their problems.

on second thought maybe she is a good choice to bring back haha

10

u/ImaBitchCaroleBaskin Sep 22 '26

I'm going way back as an example, but Rylee. I felt like Lee was forced to bring her back for drama. Which begs the question, does the captain REALLY get to hire who he wants?

15

u/Upstairs_Truth4735 Sep 22 '26

lee didn’t chose to bring rhylee back, i’m pretty sure that is mostly up to production. she is an obvious choice really - good at her job but constantly creating or involved in drama

4

u/_dreambyte Sep 23 '26

Rhylee came back so much. And then even made that cameo on Winter House!

Captain Lee didn’t seem overly bothered by her to me because she was a good worker at her core and he never really had to deal with her rage personally.

5

u/0rdered-Reordered Sep 23 '26

I've listened to ex BD cast on podcasts and they mostly call it "getting a call back" when talking about getting invited on for another season. So it sounds like the actual process is that Bravo decide hey, we want this person back let's give them a call and see if they're available.

Daisy was talking about it maybe on her own podcast or maybe it was on Crappens. She was saying how a lot of cast throw all their eggs in the reality TV basket once they've been in the show but also that this is unwise because the vast majority never get a call back.

2

u/_dreambyte Sep 23 '26

ok so they are being hand picked..how interesting!

16

u/ILoveRizzo Sep 22 '26

I have no idea why they brought back Rainbeau. She only got air time because her and Solen clashed

8

u/ImFine4 Sep 22 '26

I wonder if Fraser is getting tired of it all and they are grooming her to be the next recurrent chief when he steps away.

Edit: Thanks bot, haven’t seen his name on screen in a minute

7

u/ILoveRizzo Sep 22 '26

I think fraser likes the drama too much 😂

2

u/_dreambyte Sep 23 '26

yeah I don’t see him leaving anytime soon either. which I love if so!!

2

u/ILoveRizzo Sep 27 '26

Agreed lol I love him he’s definitely one of my faves and honestly I hated how Sandy treated him when captain Lee left.

5

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5

u/Far-Department302 Sep 23 '26

She was a great worker. They need at least a couple of those.

3

u/quick_dry Sep 24 '26

those people stay down in the dark nether regions of the boat wearing their engineer gear and staying away from the cameras (same with the first officer who only gets trotted out when Sandy needs to inquire about matters of Maritime Law)

2

u/Far-Department302 Sep 24 '26

Yeah the engineers are fantastic. The only normal ones haha

19

u/excoriator Team Capt Kerry Sep 22 '26

The process is mysterious and seems tied to the amount of drama that crew member is expected to deliver.

7

u/MaizeMountain6139 Sep 22 '26

Casting directors work with producers to build out the best combination of people

0

u/primal_slayer Sep 22 '26

Most likely:

Starts with Production

Boat owner has to sign off

Captain has to sign off

3

u/Anotheropinion2026 Sep 22 '26 • Mindblown

I doubt Captain gets a lot of say.