Music Television is returning to The Big Easy as production on the 24th season of The Real World prepares to kick off in New Orleans later this month. It is the first time since the 2000 premiere of The Real World Season 9 that MTV has returned to the hurricane-ravished region.
“We are delighted to be returning to New Orleans for the 24th season of ‘The Real World,’” said creator and executive producer Jon Murray in a release Thursday. “Hurricane Katrina threw New Orleans for a punch, but the city is coming back and we’re hoping our cast members and the series can play a small role in the city’s rebirth.”
MTV has ordered 12 episodes of The Real World: New Orleans 2, a series that will follow a group of young adults exploring the Southern beacon of preservance and new beginnings. The series is expected to premiere later this year. According to an MTV spokesperson, the cast won’t be revealed until closer to the season premiere.
“New Orleans is pleased and grateful to welcome MTV’s ‘The Real World’ back to the city,” said Director, New Orleans Office of Film & Video Jennifer Day. “Young people have played a pivotal role in the city’s recovery and we look forward to the cast members’ participation in our vibrant community.”
Last week, The Real World: DC premiered to an audience of 1.9 million. The Real World remains the longest-running reality franchise in history. The series debuted in 1992 and has shot seasons in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Miami, Boston, Seattle, Hawaii, New Orleans, Chicago, Las Vegas, Paris, San Diego, Philadelphia, Austin, Key West, Denver, Sydney, Hollywood, Brooklyn, and Cancun.