TheBelow Deckfranchise has evolved significantly in the last twelve years.Below Deckseason 1, which aired in July 2013, followed the ups and downs of a crew aboard a luxury yacht. It showed how they dealt with demanding charter guests and lived their lives sailing in the middle of the ocean.Below Deckseason 1 received fairly positive reviews from fansand critics. It also received an above-average rating, which inspired the network to cash in on the formula and produce more seasons. Most recently, Bravo releasedBelow Deckseason 11, which received a lot of praise from viewers.
As the drama unfolded and fans became more interested in theBelow Deckfranchise, Bravo decided to produce spin-offs with the same concept. In 2016, the network releasedBelow Deck Mediterranean, which featured Captain Mark Howard managing a brand-new crew and some returning cast members, such as Chef Ben Robinson. Unfortunately,Captain Mark didn’t return to the following seasonbecause he wanted to live a private life. Bravo replaced Mark withCaptain Sandra “Sandy” Yawn, who became the iconic face of the spin-off. Currently, Captain Sandy is likely the most popular captain in the franchise, which may be why the production company made her the guest captain inBelow Deckseason 10.
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During the height of the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Bravo releasedBelow Deck Sailing Yachtseason 1. The new spin-off followed the journey of a crew aboard a 177-foot sailing yacht, Parsifal III. Setting itself apart from other shows, this spin-off included returning cast members each season and showcased famous locations such as Greece, Croatia, Spain, Italy, and Ibiza. In 2022, Bravo premiered two more spin-offs:Below Deck AdventureandBelow Deck Down Under.Below Deck Down Under, based in Australia, became a series, while Below Deck Adventure, which focused on Norway, didn’t return for another season. Currently, theBelow Deckfranchise has four active spin-offs, all sailing smoothly.
8The Below Deck Franchise Has Expanded
Below Deck Franchise Has Four Spin-Offs
There are several reasons why theBelow Deckfranchise is currently thriving, but the most prominent one is its overall popularity.
The franchise has become one of the most well-known onBravo, competing with other shows likeVanderpump RulesandReal Housewives, which are among the most iconic reality TV shows ever.Below Deckhas made significant progressin the past decade, expanding to include five spin-offs and many specials. In addition to the OG show and its spin-offs,viewers can now watch dozens of official and unofficial talk showsfeaturing crew mates and their drama. There are also dramatic reunion episodes and podcasts. It’s difficult to argue that the franchise was more iconic in the past, given its current popularity.
7The OG Below Deck Show Has Entered A New Era
Captain Kerry Titheradge Has Made The Show More Exciting
During its first few seasons,Below Deckwas a unique show featuring a variety of luxury yachts, new cast members, and unique locations that entertained fans worldwide. However, in later seasons, the show became somewhat stagnant with the same old drama, and fans became bored with Captain Lee Rosbach’s management style. In 2022, Bravo revamped the showafter Captain Lee had to leavedue to his health issues, bringing in Captain Sandy as a temporary replacement, giving season 10 a new feel. The show improved even more in the following year with season 11, featuring a new cast and a new captain with his own set of rules. CaptainKerry Titheradge took over for Captain Lee, becoming the new lead starof the show and giving it a much-needed reboot, which gave viewers a new reason to watch.
6Below Deck Production Broke The Fourth Wall
Production Interference Heightens The Show’s Unpredictability
The evolution ofBelow Deck’s production is a key reason why watching the newer seasons is much more rewarding than watching the older ones. The production now plays a more active role in the drama on deck, often intervening to prevent fights from escalating.
Previously, crew member Gabriela Barragán fromBelow Deck Sailing Yachtmentioned how the production team"broke the fourth wall"to resolve issues.Katie Flood also shared a similar experience, noting that the production crew stepped in to break up a fight between Lexi Wilson and Mzi “Zee” Dempers, saying (viaYahoo),“they actually stepped in and like lost their s**t.“The production crew’s involvement isn’t the only positive change. Castmembers now interact with the camera operators, adding to the show’s realismand unpredictability.
5The Filming & Editing Quality Has Improved
Enhanced Filming Quality Gives The Show A Captivating Look
The improved filming quality and editing style have made the present-dayBelow Deckshows more enjoyable. In 2013,Below Deckwas a new concept for both viewers and the production crew. At the time, the focus was more on everyday challenges and guest-related challenges rather than dramatic storylines. The first few seasons featured smaller, less extravagant boats and were generally less eventful.
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The lack of social media drama also contributed to an overall milder feel in the old seasons compared to the newer ones. The production company behindBelow Deckhas honed its formulaover the years, capturing all the action on the boat to create compelling storylines. Thenewer seasons are more dramatic, entertaining, and of higher quality, thanks to advancements in cameras, streaming quality, and services.
4The Below Deck Cast Members Are More Interesting
Below Deck Cast Members Have Become Experts At Maintaining Drama
LikeBelow Deck, the crew members have evolved since 2013. They have become much more aware of what the show is all about, allowing them to stand out and create entertaining moments.
WhenBelow Deckbegan nearly twelve years ago, the crew members didn’t have past seasons to take inspiration from, so they didn’t know what worked on reality TV and what didn’t. As a result,Below Deck’s first few seasons felt more raw and candid. While some cast members, like Chef Ben Robinson, were able to make a name for themselves, most others, such as Bobby Giancola, Bryan Kattenburg, C.J. LeBeau, Samantha Orme, etc., didn’t. Today, castmembers know how to create drama, making it more memorable. The popularity of certain cast members is a key reason they are re-cast on the show.
3Each Below Deck Show Has An Entertaining Returning Chief Stew
The Return Of The Chief Stew Boosts The Show’s Star Power
Below Deckhas been on the air for almost 12 years and has featured many notable cast members who’ve become fan favorites. Over the years, producers have capitalized on this history bybringing back famous crew members, making newer seasons entertaining and star-studded. For example, Kate Chastain appeared in nearly six seasons, forming an iconic friendship with Chef Ben Robinson that gave fans a reason to tune in. More recently, Fraser Olender has won fans over with his excellent skills as a chief steward. Aesha Scott and Daisy Kelliher are other chief stewardesses who have also captured fans' hearts with their personalities. Returning cast members is beneficial to the franchise, as it makes newer seasons more familiar and relatable.
2Below Deck Fans Never Have A Viewing Hiatus
Viewers Can Watch The Latest Below Deck Drama Without Any Wait
TheBelow Deckfranchise has improved significantly due to its popularity. In 2013, viewers only had one show that aired once a year for a month or two. Fans often had to wait nearly a year to watch another season, which affected the show’s momentum and social media presence. Now, the franchise includes five shows with multiple specials and has a large fan community on Reddit. The best part of being aBelow Deckfan in 2025 is that there’s no major wait time between seasons. Fans canwatch spin-offs right after the main show ends, providing a continuous dose ofBelow Deckthroughout the yearwith new storylines and entertaining drama. For example,Below Deckaired in May 2024, followed byBelow Deck Mediterraneanin June 2024, and thenBelow Deck Sailing Yachtin October 2024.
1The Below Deck Captains Have Varied Personalities & Styles
The Captains' Diverse Personalities Bring An Extra Level Of Excitement To Below Deck
The captains ofBelow Deckare a major reason why the franchise is more entertaining in 2025. When the franchise first began, Captain Lee had a strict management style that reflected his age and experience. The franchise expanded in 2016 withBelow Deck Mediterranean, featuring Captain Sandy, known for her youthful aura and motherly affection for her crew members. In 2020,Below Deck Sailing Yachtintroduced Captain Glenn Shephard, known for his calm demeanor and relaxed attitude.
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Captain Glenn quickly became a fan favorite for his sweet personality and fun-loving nature. In the last two years,Below Deckhas introduced two new captains. CaptainJason Chambers is known as the hunk of the franchise, sharp and unemotional in judgment. The newest captain, Kerry Titheradge, has also shown skill at managing the crew. Though he has only been on a few episodes,Below Deckviewers already appreciate his leadership.
Below Deck Sailing Yachtairs Mondays at 9 p.m. EST on Bravo.
Below Deck Sailing Yacht
Cast
Below Deck Sailing Yacht is a spin-off of the Below Deck reality television series. Premiering on Bravo, the show follows the life of a Yacht crew as they attempt to navigate a busy Charter season in which many customers make use of a 177-foot sailing yacht. Over the first three seasons, the yacht has been to Greece, Croatia, and Spain.
