Predicting Filming Locations for the “Real Housewives of Rhode Island”

The Ocean House is the ideal location for a girls weekend trip or weekend getaway. The cast can hit the high-end restaurant or the beach. Photograph courtesy of the Ocean House

To say that I am excited that the “Real Housewives” has landed in the Ocean State is an understatement. I have been a fan of the Bravo network reality television series since it began in 2006 with “The Real Housewives of Orange County.” Since then, I’ve watched the franchise expand into twelve different series produced in the United States by Bravo. The brand also expanded internationally to sixteen countries, with twenty-nine spinoffs around the globe that centered around at least one housewife, including “Vanderpump Rules.” 

“We as a state were able to get the show because of the social interest around Christmas time. We were one of four locations in the running,” says Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Film & TV Office. “In early 2025, the Film & TV Office was notified that we were chosen. The bottom line is, it’s supposed to be entertaining, and it has a huge fanbase.” 

According to Feinberg, the excitement has been unprecedented, especially within the industry. The office has been bombarded by businesses who hope to be part of the show, who understand the positive exposure that multiplies when a series like this gets broadcast across the globe. “We are the smallest state with the greatest backlot. It’s like our whole state is a movie studio. We have these glorious cinematic, visually splendid sites. We’re very special,” Feinberg says. “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island” is actively filming now until September, which is the best time of year to showcase the Ocean State. 

The most successful franchises involve cast members who are larger than life. They love hard, work hard, dream big, and fight even bigger, in my opinion. They share the good, the bad and the ugly of their personal lives. And if you’re not being honest, believe me, in this small state, those skeletons will eventually make their way out of the closet. 

We see the housewives live aspirational lives and enjoy the finer things in life. Splurging on essentials like designer clothes and expensive cars is just par for the course. The best cast members have deep ties with their loved ones, whether family or chosen family. They enjoy lunching, working out, and are no strangers to cosmetic procedures. 

They attend fabulous events, wear fabulous fashions and make fabulous, dramatic scenes. Dueling housewives know no bounds when it comes to ego. An affront can range from an overblown misunderstanding to a vindictive act. Of course, the whole cast must get involved to “solve” said problem with everyone’s opinion being forced front and center. 

Knowing all of this, I’ve brainstormed some spots in our state that I personally think would make excellent filming locations. I will be watching the series premiere with bated breath to see if my predictions come true.

Legendary Locations

Speculations on where “The Real Housewives of  Rhode Island” will film.

Ocean House

I’m betting that the Ocean House is the cast’s first weekend getaway. This seaside icon is the perfect location for some good old fashioned “Real Housewives” drama. Luxurious rooms? Check. Gorgeous views? Check. Wine tastings? Check. I can see it now: The ladies are hosting an exquisite beachside picnic. It’s rudely interrupted by two sparring housewives eager to win an argument. Tensions may settle down until dinner at the resort’s Forbes Five Star-rated COAST restaurant. Tempers flare over medium rare steak and a wine pairing. The vegetables are all grown on local farms. They finish off the evening with a late-night bonfire. More wine is imbibed, and the ladies cannot let go of what was said at lunch. It’s only the first night, and there have already been so many tears. Tomorrow, a much-needed spa day will be on the agenda. Details: 1 Bluff Ave., Watch Hill, 584-7000, oceanhouseri.com 

Twin Oaks

If this Ocean State stalwart doesn’t grace my screen, I may throw a tantrum. The huge plate of lobster salad alone is worthy of its own film crew. I’m imagining someone’s Nonna having a birthday party
here with all her friends and family. After all, if you haven’t celebrated some special occasion at Twin Oaks, have you even ever lived in Rhode Island? The pond view, the rustic furniture, the male waiters’ black-and-white uniforms, the different vibes in corners of the vast, time capsule-like dining room and bar, Nonna and her friends having the best time in a place that hasn’t changed a bit since they were teenagers. The family is laughing while sharing a meal. And some of the ladies just can’t wait for a more appropriate time to talk about a prior issue, and possibly flip some tables while they’re at it. Details: 100 Sabra St., Cranston, 781-9693, twinoaksrest.com

The iconic fountain in Federal Hill’s DePasquale Square. Photograph courtesy of Providence Warwick CVB.

WaterFire

I can see it now: Two housewives are arguing in separate gondolas. They scold each other from across the basin. One may even fall out of a gondola and into the Providence River. Hilarious for us. Not the best moment for her. In my imagined dinner-and-a-show episode, the housewives have dinner in Federal Hill’s DePasquale Square earlier that evening. An animated discussion takes place over espresso martinis. There are some heated arguments over sauce versus gravy, namely which is the proper term. Later on, we hear the finer points of why Mr. Lemon is better than Del’s Lemonade. All this, while sitting next to the gorgeous water fountain over the sounds of jovial Italian music. Details: waterfire.org; gondolari.com; federalhillprov.com

Watch Hill Yacht Club

In my “Housewives’” fever dream, one cast member belongs to the Watch Hill Yacht Club. The wives spend the day soaking up the sun on the westernmost part of the state: Watch Hill Beach. Of course, the housewives will luxuriate in the shingled cabanas. They’re fully stocked and radiate old New England money. However, the rest of us plebs can park downtown and haul our beach gear up and over the sand dunes. Parking meters give you two hours for the whole day, which is just enough time to spot a real housewife in the wild. Details: Watch Hill Beach, watchhillfiredistrict.org

Miss Petite Pilates Class

No “Housewives” series would be complete without an obligatory gym session. For a boutique studio experience, my money’s on a Miss Petite Pilates class. However, I’m not sure how much of a workout they’ll get with all the hot tea being spilled left and right. And I don’t know about you, but half of getting to any workout class is making sure you look and feel cute. There is a 100 percent guarantee that whoever shows up will show out. If we’re lucky, we may even meet a “friend of” during the session. Part of what makes these shows so successful and beloved are the part-time housewives, also known as “a friend of.” The shows have a strong cast as well as supporting cast members. Details: 2053R Plainfield Pike, Johnston. Sign up to take pilates classes at misspetitepilates.com and follow on Instagram at @misspetitepilates.

Newport Polo

When confronting rumors as most housewives do, you must go straight to the horse’s mouth. I’m envisioning the ladies having a fabulous day at Newport Polo. There are five matches in August alone, so there’s plenty of opportunity to take a whack at any particularly scurrilous falsehoods scurrying about. Whatever they discuss, I’m sure more than a few Pimm’s Cups will be consumed. Just think about the fashion. Who will have the biggest hat? Who will step in horse manure while stomping the divots? Whose team will win? And which housewives will jockey for Queen Bee position in the housewife group? It will be an addictive pleasure to see and hear all the buzz unfold. Details: 250 Linden Ln., Portsmouth, 846-0200, nptpolo.com

And, Action!

Other Ocean State locations that have served as film backdrops.

I once bummed a cigarette off of Joaquin Phoenix at Nicks on Broadway back in the summer of 2014. He was in town filming Irrational Man (2015) and I spied him after getting a tip from a friend. Rightfully so, he called me a mooch with a chuckle, and pointed out the sidewalk art (from Frog & Toad at the time), then headed back in for dinner. He also filmed at the beloved Chez Pascal, The Fastnet Pub in Newport and Beavertail State Park in Jamestown, to name a few.

I think it’s fair to say I’m not the only person who gets starstruck in Little Rhody. But more than that, I have a strong sense of pride knowing that this state that I love so dearly is appreciated beyond its borders. Even as a kid, I felt special knowing that Rhode Island was featured in one of my favorite movies ever: Dumb and Dumber (1994). It made me giggle seeing Nibbles Woodaway, the official giant termite mascot of Big Blue Bug Solutions, make a cameo. Dumb and Dumber was written, directed and produced by the Farrelly brothers, who were born and raised in Cumberland. 

Among the Farrelly brothers’ other films, I also personally love Me, Myself & Irene (2000). I never truly knew just how smart our State Police dressed until Jim Carrey showed up on screen in their uniform. Crush solidified. I love how this movie highlights Narragansett Bay, with sweeping views filmed in Jamestown, Point Judith and Newport.

Taissa Farmiga and Morgan Spector from season 3 of “The Gilded Age.” Photograph courtesy of Karolina Wojtasik/HBO.

According to Feinberg, “Rhode Island has the highest concentration of Gilded Age homes in all the country.” It makes sense that quite a few Newport mansions are featured in the HBO television series “The Gilded Age” (2022-current). Now in its third season, some filming locations throughout the years have included Rosecliff, The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms, Chateau-sur-Mer and Hunter House. High Society (1956), The Great Gatsby (1974), True Lies (1994) and 27 Dresses (2008) all filmed scenes at Rosecliff, too.

Moonrise Kingdom (2012) holds a special place in my heart considering the entirety of it was filmed in Rhode Island. Locations are scattered all over the state, with some of my favorite scenes taking place at Fort Wetherill State Park, Stepstone Falls and Conanicut Light.

I was enthralled watching sets being built at Lincoln’s Chase Farm for Hocus Pocus 2 (2022). I drive by there quite frequently, and it was such a thrill to watch the setting come to life. A set was also built in Washington Square in Newport, and other scenes were filmed at the Cranston Armory, Moses Brown School, La Salle Academy and Lakeside-Carpenter Cemetery.

Bad News on the Doorstep (2025), written and directed by Tom DeNucci from Cranston, was also filmed earlier this year. It’s rumored that filming took place in and around Providence.