Reality star and longtime cast member of The Real Housewives of Potomac, 62-year-old Karen Huger, is set to make a dramatic return to the Bravo franchise after her early release from prison. A teaser released at BravoCon 2025 reveals Huger will sit down with executive producer Andy Cohen in what’s described as a “deeply personal and reflective conversation.”
Huger’s appearance in the mid-season trailer occurs after she served about six months behind bars for a DUI conviction in Maryland. The trailer opens with Cohen arriving at Huger’s Potomac home after her exit from the detention center. The moment carries palpable weight as Cohen says, “Here we are. You are a free woman.” To which Huger responds, “It’s time to talk about my addiction.”
Background and Return Trajectory
Huger was arrested in March 2024 after crashing her vehicle near her home and later found guilty in December on multiple charges including driving under the influence, negligent driving and other violations. She was sentenced in February 2025 to two years in prison, with one year suspended, and ordered into five years probation. She reported to the Montgomery County Detention Center and was released early on September 2, 2025.
Since her release, Huger hasn’t publicly detailed her time behind bars but has been following a recovery program in Florida where she sought treatment after admitting to mixing antidepressants and alcohol. In her absence, Season 10 of RHOP was filmed without her. A preview nonetheless included footage of her release, hinting at her return.
During the sit-down with Cohen, the trailer promises a side of Huger that viewers have yet to see publicly. The network describes the upcoming episode as offering “a never-before-seen side of Karen” as she “details her next chapter after prison.” In the short clip, Huger tells Cohen, “It’s time to talk about my addiction,” signaling that she is ready to confront her public and personal journey head-on.
Cohen himself recently expressed hope for Huger’s return. When asked if she would come back to the show he replied simply, “I hope so!” The upcoming season finale, scheduled for February, is expected to feature the sit-down.
Huger’s role in the upcoming episodes is likely to be heavily narrative-driven, focusing on accountability, recovery and reintegration into the Bravo universe. As one long-time castmate observed, Huger appears “resilient” and with “a lot to say,” pointing toward potential new ventures beyond reality television.