By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Monday, September 28, 2015
Kim Fields of "Facts of Life" and "Living Single" fame is officially joining the cast of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," the only new full cast member for season eight.
For anyone following the off-season sightings from the show, this is no surprise. Fields has lived in Marietta for several years and has directed comedies for Tyler Perry and Roger Bobb. She has also nabbed the occasional acting gig.
The sturdy reality show returns Sunday, November 8 at 8 p.m. Although ratings dropped off season seven after a record high season six, the show remains Bravo's top "housewives" show.
Four regulars from last year return: Kandi Burruss for her seventh season, Cynthia Bailey for her sixth season, Phaedra Parks for her sixth season and Kenya Moore for her fourth season.
Porsha Williams, after being reduced to "recurring" status last season, returns for her third season as a full-time regular.
And Sheree Whitfield makes a comeback, coming back in "recurring" status, which means she will not necessarily be in every episode. (Again, not a surprise given she was seen shooting with the ladies all season.) She was an original "housewife" who was a regular the first four seasons and remains a single woman. In her time away from the show, she has appeared on OWN's "Iyanla Fix My Life" and Bravo's "Millionaire Matchmaker."
A newcomer Shamea Morton will show up on occasion as well.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Based on her biography, the Decatur native Morton has been an Atlanta Falcons cheerleader, an actor and singer, plus a fill-in host for Ryan Cameron's morning show on V-103. She was also named one of Jezebel magazin's most beautiful people one year.
NeNe Leakes, the final original "housewife," left after last season. Claudia Jordan, who never officially said she was out, is, well, out. She lasted one season. Last year's barely there recurrent character Demetria McKinney is gone as well. TMZ was wrong when it reported this summer that transgender woman Amiyah Scott would join the cast.
Bravo this morning released this synopsis/teaser of the upcoming season:
Kandi and Todd are ecstatic to welcome their first child together. However, Kandi is faced with juggling the highs and lows of pregnancy coupled with a busy life as a hard-working career woman. Ready for her fresh start, Kenya has decided to build the ultimate dream home, "Moore Manor," all while continuing her quest for love. Meanwhile, Cynthia is on-the-go more than ever, but unsettling rumors surrounding her marriage threaten to cause a strain on her relationship with Peter. With Apollo still incarcerated, Phaedra adjusts to life as a single mother while maintaining her successful career, including potentially purchasing her first funeral home. Embracing a new chapter, Porsha is currently dating a new beau as her business ventures continue to thrive. Actress and director Kim Fields joins the ladies this season and although she is new to the mix, she is no stranger to the spotlight. Fan favorite Shereè Whitfield is back on the scene, while newcomer Shamea Morton joins these feisty Southern ladies for another unforgettable season.
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