# List of The Real Housewives of Orange County episodes
*The Real Housewives of Orange County* is an American reality television series that premiered on Bravo on March 21, 2006, and follows the lives of women living in [Orange County, California](https://www.edgepedia.org/orange-county-california). It is the original installment of *The Real Housewives* franchise, and it has run for 20 seasons.[1](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2026-03-24/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county-oral-history-pilot-episode) • [2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) New episodes air Thursdays at 8/7c on Bravo and stream the next day on Peacock.[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Series premiere | March 21, 2006, on Bravo[1](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2026-03-24/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county-oral-history-pilot-episode) |
| Seasons | 20, all streaming on Peacock[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) |
| Season 1 cast | Jeana Keough, Vicki Gunvalson, Lauri Peterson, Kimberly Bryant, and Jo De La Rosa[1](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2026-03-24/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county-oral-history-pilot-episode) |
| Season 1 length | Eight episodes[1](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2026-03-24/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county-oral-history-pilot-episode) |
| Season 20 premiere | July 9, 2026, on Bravo[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) |
| Season 20 cast | Vicki Gunvalson, Shannon Storms Beador, Heather Dubrow, Tamra Judge, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson, Jennifer Pedranti, and Carmella Garcia[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) |
| Rating | TV-14[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) |
## Series background
The series was developed by Scott Dunlop and centered at first on the gated community of Coto de Caza.[3](https://tiered.tv/shows/rhoc) • [1](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2026-03-24/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county-oral-history-pilot-episode) The first episode opened with a montage of estates, tennis courts, expensive cars, and jewelry, with a voice-over setting the scene: "Life is different in a gated community" and "The land here is $1 million an acre."[4](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2026-03-24/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county-oral-history-pilot-episode?sfmc_id=65206f8d7204863029166fc3&skey_id=133bf31a62f7db68b7557a07ea4b302e8ccc0379a207ddf8b43b56409551214c) The first season was eight episodes; the format it established expanded into a franchise covering 12 other U.S. locales and more than 30 international editions across 20 countries.[1](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2026-03-24/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county-oral-history-pilot-episode)
## Season 1 (2006)
Season 1 followed the daily lives of the five original cast members and their families. The first six episodes, as cataloged by TVmaze, were:
| No. | Title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Meet the Wives" | March 21, 2006[5](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/846/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county/episodeguide) |
| 2 | "Is It Hunting Season, Yet?" | March 28, 2006[5](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/846/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county/episodeguide) |
| 3 | "Upgrading Has Nothing to Do with You Honey" | April 4, 2006[5](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/846/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county/episodeguide) |
| 4 | "Talk, Talk, Talk" | April 11, 2006[5](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/846/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county/episodeguide) |
| 5 | "Cut the P and Lem Out of Problem and You Get ROB" | April 18, 2006[5](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/846/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county/episodeguide) |
| 6 | "Shocking News" | April 25, 2006[5](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/846/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county/episodeguide) |
The premiere followed [Jeana Keough](https://www.edgepedia.org/jeana-keough)'s son Shane through high school graduation and the baseball draft, Kimberly Bryant's preparations for her daughter's junior high dance, Jo De La Rosa's adjustment to life as the fiancée of a wealthy older man, [Vicki Gunvalson](https://www.edgepedia.org/vicki-gunvalson)'s party for her daughter Briana, and Lauri Peterson's life after divorce outside the gates.[5](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/846/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county/episodeguide)
## Season 20 (2026)
Season 20 premiered on Bravo on July 9, 2026.[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) It marks the return of "OG of the OC" Vicki Gunvalson alongside Shannon Storms Beador, Heather Dubrow, Tamra Judge, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson, Jennifer Pedranti, and newest Housewife Carmella Garcia; Katie Ginella and [Gretchen Rossi](https://www.edgepedia.org/gretchen-rossi) are not returning.[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) Episodes listed on Peacock and Bravo as of the most recent crawl run through episode 15:[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) • [6](https://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county)
| No. | Title | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Old Friends, New Era" | Vicki returns; Shannon and Tamra are at odds; Gina has questions about her relationship status.[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) |
| 2 | "Not on My Bingo Card" | Gina throws Emily a drag bingo-themed party; Shannon befriends Carmella despite Vicki's doubts.[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) |
| 3 | "Why Can't We Be Friends?" | Vicki plays referee in an attempt to rekindle the Tres Amigas friendship.[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) |
| 4 | "Boxed In" | Word spreads fast in the OC about Carmella's extravagant birthday gift to Emily.[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) |
| 5 | "Designers and Dildos" | Loyalties are questioned between Heather, Emily, and Gina; Tamra talks to Sophia about marriage.[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) |
| 6 | "Suite & Sour" | The women head to Las Vegas; Carmella works through a relationship betrayal.[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) |
| 7 | "All Bets Are Off" | The Vegas vacation continues as the ladies head to the Grand Canyon; Shannon's frustrations.[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) |
| 8 | "Sangria, Songria" | Carmella throws a pool party where she introduces the ladies to her kids and boyfriend.[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) |
| 9 | "Ring of Truth" | Gina begins to question her friendship with Heather; Emily questions Heather over her true feelings.[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) |
| 10 | "Forbidden Fruit" | The ladies embark on dueling trips as Tamra invites Shannon, Jenn, and Gina to Temecula.[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) |
| 11 | "A Tale of Two Trips" | Jenn and Emily make a bold statement that leaves Vicki taken aback.[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) |
| 12 | "Lei It on Me" | Tamra celebrates her granddaughter's birthday at a rare family gathering.[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) |
| 13 | "Don't Look Now" | Emily invites the ladies for a Persian Party; Tamra reveals sensitive information.[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) |
| 14 | "Friends and Fortunes" | Shannon Beador seeks medical care for her dog after he suffers a seizure.[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) |
| 15 | "For Goodness Sake" | Old wounds resurface when Tamra Judge confronts Vicki Gunvalson about her daughter and parenting.[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) |
Most season 20 episodes run 42 minutes, with the premiere and episode 9 at 54 minutes.[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county)
## Where to watch
All 20 seasons stream on Peacock, with plans ranging from $8.99 per month for the ad-supported tier to $19.99 per month for Premium Plus.[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county) New episodes premiere Thursdays at 8/7c on Bravo and stream the next day on Peacock.[2](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county)
## References
1. ["'The Real Housewives of Orange County': How a reality juggernaut was made," Los Angeles Times, March 24, 2026](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2026-03-24/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county-oral-history-pilot-episode)
2. [The Real Housewives of Orange County, Peacock](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county)
3. [The Real Housewives of Orange County — the canon, tiered.tv](https://tiered.tv/shows/rhoc)
4. ["'The Real Housewives of Orange County': An oral history," Los Angeles Times (syndicated version)](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2026-03-24/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county-oral-history-pilot-episode?sfmc_id=65206f8d7204863029166fc3&skey_id=133bf31a62f7db68b7557a07ea4b302e8ccc0379a207ddf8b43b56409551214c)
5. [The Real Housewives of Orange County - Episode Guide, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/846/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county/episodeguide)
6. [The Real Housewives of Orange County, Bravo official site](https://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › Unscripted, reality, and web-native series › Reality and competition franchise editions › Franchise contestant, housemate, and episode-list records*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license