Made in Chelsea is back – and this time, for its 12th series. Having been in France for the summer, the show and its cast are back in London for more explosive drama.
It sees the return of some familiar faces such as Proudlock (swoon), Francis Boulle, and Fredrik Ferrier (the one with the luscious blonde hair.) Another return to the show is that of JP who, it appears, has come to win back his ex Binky and ruin her life for the second time around. He claims in the first episode that “over the summer I’ve suddenly gone from a boy to a man”, which is exactly the kind of cringe-worthy line that would be guaranteed to win any woman back…
New additions include Emily Blackwell, who seems to be a replacement for Lucy Watson in looks as well as in her apparent icy persona. We are also introduced to Julius Cowdrey, grandson of England cricket captain Lord Colin Cowdrey. Aside from the standard Made in Chelsea replicas, Akin Solanke-Caulkerw is the show’s first ever black cast member. Akin rightly states that the introduction of a black person in the cast is long overdue, and claims to be the new Spencer Matthews which, frankly, is nothing to be proud of.
The same scandalous plotlines repeat themselves through all 12 series, but with an ever-changing cast. Those in the show seem to live in a perpetual summer, with conversations and plot developments taking place at regattas and over brunches or, as in this episode, a photo shoot for Country Life magazine. Some of the cast are utterly ridiculous; in the first episode, Tiffany Watson knowingly flirts with a newcomer in front of her boyfriend because he “doesn’t buy [her] flowers anymore”. As if her initials tattooed on his arm is not commitment enough for her. Knowing that these people are actually getting paid to parade their wealth on TV is infuriating. However, despite my irritation and mild jealousy, it remains entertaining. You cannot help but be sucked in to the vacuous and superficial drama of the show, and its heavily scripted plot.
Essentially, this is a show filled almost exclusively with lavish parties, awkward silences, bitchy arguments and posh people cheating on each other. If you are fascinated by how the other half lives, or you wish to distract yourself from your own humble existence, I recommend it to you.
Image: Vasse Nicolas, Antoine @ Flickr