Nino Munoz/BravoOne thing we can always count on from the Real Housewives franchise: There is always just as much drama happening offscreen as there is onscreen.
Real Housewives of New Jersey is about to undergo a big ol' casting shakeup, E! News has confirmed.
A source tells us that Jacqueline Laurita, who has been with the Bravo reality series since season one, will not be returning for season six.
With Laurita off the show, there is now room for original housewife Dina Manzo to return to RHONJ. According to our insider, Dina would only come back if Laurita and her family were cut from the series.
Twin sisters Nicole and Teresa Napolitano are joining the show as new castmembers, and have already been filming at their houses for season six.
Castmember Kathy Wakile will be back, but we hear it was only because Rosie Pierri would only return if Kathy was included in the new season.
The future of Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga's relationship with the show is still up in the air. Giudice's and her husband Joe have been charged in a 39-count indictment for fraud and face up to 50 years in prison. Their trial is set for February 2014.
Caroline Manzo officially announced her depature from Real Housewives of New Jersey on her blog after the second part of the reunion special aired.
"Over the past few years my outlook on the show has changed from something I couldn't wait to show my future grandchildren to something I hope my future grandchildren never see," she wrote. "I've always prided myself on being a good example for my children and my decision to leave is based on advice I've always given them: 'Be true to yourself and be proud of who you are, you are born with a name and you die with a name, don't dirty it up.'"
Manzo also talked about filming her new Bravo pilot, Manzo'd With Children.
"We are having an absolute blast filming it, and I hope you all join us as we start our new chapter within the Bravo network," she shared. "We didn't close the book, we just turned the page."
Bravo has no comment on the casting rumors.
The Hollywood Reporter was first to report the casting news.
What do you think of these Real Housewives casting moves?
(E! and Bravo are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)