Leah Remini Joins ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Season 16

Digital Desk

The King of Queens star has confirmed her move to Bravo’s hit reality series, joining a Season 16 cast that also features new addition Tracy Tutor.

Leah Remini is trading sitcom fame for Beverly Hills drama. The 56-year-old actor and television personality has joined the cast of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills for its upcoming 16th season.

Remini confirmed the casting herself on Instagram on Wednesday, sharing a report about her new role and writing, “It’s true!!” Bravo has also confirmed her addition to the series.

The move brings one of television's familiar faces into the long-running Bravo franchise. Remini is best known for playing Carrie Heffernan opposite Kevin James in the sitcom The King of Queens, which ran for nine seasons from 1998 to 2007.

She is no stranger to unscripted television either. Remini previously starred in the TLC reality series Leah Remini: It's All Relative, which followed her family life from 2014 to 2015. She later became widely known for the Emmy-winning documentary series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, which explored her experiences after leaving Scientology.

Remini will join returning RHOBH personalities Kyle Richards, Erika Jayne, Dorit Kemsley, Bozoma Saint John, Rachel Zoe and Sutton Stracke. Jennifer Tilly is also expected to return in a recurring “friend of the show” role.

She is not the only new face for Season 16. Tracy Tutor, known for Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles, announced earlier this month that she was joining the Beverly Hills franchise.

Remini's arrival comes after Amanda Frances announced that she would not return for the new season. Frances joined the show for Season 15 and confirmed her departure earlier in August.

Production on Season 16 is already underway, although Remini is joining the show after filming had begun. Reports indicate that she is expected to start filming later this week.

The premiere date for the new season has not yet been announced. With Remini and Tutor joining an established group of Beverly Hills personalities, Season 16 is set to bring a fresh combination of Hollywood and reality-TV experience to the franchise.