The Real Housewives of London returns for a second season, bringing even more glamour, drama, and candid moments from the city’s most exclusive social circles. I sit down with Amanda Cronin and Nessie Welschinger to talk about what fans can expect from this new chapter, how the friendships have evolved, and why the show resonates so deeply with LGBTQ+ audiences.
Q: How does it feel to be back for Series 2 after such a dramatic and glamorous first season? What’s the vibe like this time around?
Amanda Cronin: It’s so exciting. It’s thrilling, exciting, I feel very blessed.
Nessie Welschinger: So proud. Very proud. Very proud of what we’ve achieved through Season 1 and how it was so well received globally. And we’re just so excited to be back, to be doing a second season is such an honour.
Amanda: Yeah, we really, I think we’ve really killed it this season. You know, if you enjoyed last season, I say this season is even more iconic. It’s even more fun. It’s even more luxe. It’s just, you know, more friendship, more drama. The girls have really, they’re just on fire. Yeah, we hit the ground running, literally. Yeah, it’s very fast paced, I would say.
Q: The Real Housewives franchise has a huge LGBTQ+ following because of its camp, glamour, and realness. What do you think makes The Real Housewives of London resonate so strongly with queer viewers?
Nessie: I think London really is a place where you can be anyone you want to be, no judgement, everyone appreciates everyone. You know, you can dress how you want, you can act and people will love you and you can, you can just show up and be your authentic self and be appreciated and welcomed. And I think that’s London for you. And I hope that we also represent it as well because we’re such a diverse cast. Yeah. And I think that speaks to the audience, really.
Q: Series 1 showed us such a mix of luxury and real tension moments. How have those off-camera dynamics evolved heading into this second series?
Amanda: I mean, there’s a lot. I mean, it’s like a full 360, I think, for me from Series 1 to 2. Like, I’m really showing different sides to my character, to my personality, becoming more vulnerable. Probably, you know, I thought I was being authentic and being myself in Series 1, but I’m even being more of myself. I’m giving more, I’m opening up more. I probably feel safer around the women than I did in Series 1. I think it’s really interesting. And it’s a lot about safety, isn’t it? And I think that’s how we resonate so much in the LGBT community. It’s that feeling safe and, you know, not being judged all of the time. And I think that’s really important. So I’m feeling more relaxed. I’m happier. That comes across. And therefore, you’re seeing just a more relaxed me and a more fun me, which I’m really, really proud of.
Nessie: As you should be.
Q: Amanda, your skincare line and entrepreneurial spirit were a big part of Series 1. How has your career journey influenced your role on the show this season?
Amanda: Well, you know, work is a big part of my life. You know, this is a reality show. So, you know, you do see me, you know, hosting an amazing event in Series 2. You know, I talk about work all of the time, not because I’m trying to be pushy or push my brand or my work on anyone. But, you know, I’m either sort of, you know, I work very, very hard. I’m very passionate about my brand and what I’m building. So, you know, this is the stage of life that I’m in. I have this opportunity to be on the show and to, you know, launch businesses. So it’s definitely came through on Season 1. It’s coming through again on Season 2. In fact, I have a brand event on Season 2 that goes a little bit pear-shaped. So you’re going to see my reaction to someone trying to upset the apple cart of, you know, the Amanda Cronin skincare brunch, you know. So it’s always going to come through because it’s a big part of what I do. So that’s what it is.
Q: Nessie, you have this incredible background with baking and that stunning Cotswolds cottage. How do you balance your creative passions with the high-society lifestyle we see on the show?
Nessie: Well, I wish I could showcase it more because it is so fascinating when you see how cakes are made behind the scenes and the clients they go to as well and all the stress behind it. I feel like there’s a whole dynamic that goes on behind the scenes. You’ll have to see that. I don’t know if I would love to show it. But you do see me dabble in a bit of my cake making and bringing it on the show this year. And I do think the two go hand in hand because they are luxury cakes for luxury events. And this is the sort of thing that we attend and we love to coordinate and be part of. So I think the two go really well hand in hand.
Q: Do you both ever feel any pressure maintaining friendships in such a high-profile, dramatic environment?
Amanda: Friendships outside of the show?
Harvey Morton: Yeah. And when you’re on the show as well, I guess it must be difficult to balance all the emotions that you’re all feeling at times.
Amanda: I think it is. It is difficult and it’s really important to me. And we were just discussing this over lunch. It’s really important to me that I have close support and friendship on when we’re filming and also when we’re not filming. I want to have a rounded friendships that are really trusted and I can rely on during the show when we’re filming and outside of the show. For me, that’s what I want to achieve.
Nessie: Yeah, absolutely. And I think it’s really important that you stick by each other in the show as well because we’re really the only people that know what we’re going through. No one on the outside can really relate to what’s happening. It’s so fast paced and the dynamic shifts are constant. And you have to lean on each other and you have to be there for each other. And I think that’s really important. We’re like a girl band.
Amanda: We do deeply care about each other, even when we’re not getting along. We have bonded and we’re very, very bonded. Some of them are traumatic bonds. But at the end of the day, if we see someone upset or struggling on the show or outside of the show, one or more of the girls is going to pick up the phone and see how they are and try and help and resolve that. We’re not going to sit and let someone feel bad for any length of time.
Nessie: Oh, absolutely.
Amanda: Without stepping in. We deeply care about each other and our families, so for sure.
Q: Amanda, there was a lot of mystery and intrigue around your story in Series 1. Do you feel that was understood by viewers? What can you share about what to expect in Series 2?
Amanda: Yeah, I definitely feel one, my major storyline, one of the major storylines, I think for me, is again, this just me opening up and being vulnerable and not being afraid to talk about how hurt I’ve been in my life. And, you know, I haven’t always been treated in the way that I probably should have been treated. And I probably haven’t responded in the way, sometimes in the right way that I should have responded. So I think there’s a lot with me coming from places where I’ve just been very, very hurt for over a very, very long time and been disappointed and hurt and disappointed. And, you know, just me and me battling on and constantly picking myself up and dusting myself off and moving forward. And, you know, that’s how my life has been, you know. And now I can sort of stop and look at that more, definitely in season two. So hopefully the girls and the viewers will get to know why I am the way that I am, which can just be, you know, obviously we see in series one being probably too defensive and too guarded. And because I’m feeling more comfortable in myself, you’re seeing a side of me that’s letting go a bit more. So that’s definitely coming through in series two. And I’m talking about some really hard issues, really, of, you know, just hurt and disappointment and embarrassment and, you know, some sense of shame and failure around things that haven’t gone well. I’m very happy to talk about that.
Nessie: I really appreciate that. Because that’s really hard to do as well, for the world to see, amazingly.
Harvey Morton: No, thank you for sharing that. Because like you said, it was a new experience for you last time as well. And doing anything on camera is daunting anyway and to talk about some of the experiences you’ve had is such a difficult thing to do anyway.
Amanda: It is difficult, but it’s definitely, that’s how we move forward. That’s how we heal. That’s how we, you know, we’re forgiven. We ask for forgiveness. We forgive. You know, that’s a big part of it. There’s just so much that we can do to feel better.
Q: Is there a moment that you’re most excited for fans to see in this second series?
Amanda: I just want them to see more of the laughter and the relationships. The trip is. The trip. And I think it’s really funny. And there are some amazing events. You host incredible events and they’re so much fun. And I just, I’m so excited to watch it with you. Yeah, it’s all just phenomenal.
Nessie: You know, an incredible trip. As you say, great events, lunches and dinners.
Amanda: The fashion.
Nessie: The fashion and what’s going on in London. I mean, it’s just packed. Packed. It couldn’t be more packed. Full of just incredible, you know, experiences. Absolutely. And fun, fun events. Yeah.
The Real Housewives of London S2 is available to stream exclusively on Hayu now.