All over Sailing yacht below deck season 5 viewers noticed a larger than usual number of potential producing plantsleaving many wondering if the series might return next season. A spin-off of the original Below deck, The series takes place aboard Captain Glenn Shephard's sailing yacht Parsifal III, which offers luxury charters to guests around the Ionian Sea. Throughout the show, several of the BDSYCrew members have returned for ongoing seasons, creating an interesting sense of camaraderie in the series. With Captain Glenn working alongside some of the same crew members each season, the show is family-friendly.
Although both Chief Stew Daisy Kelliher and First Officer Gary King returned to Sailing yacht below deck Season 5, most of the rest of the cast is full of new faces to the franchise. While there was some drama between Daisy and Gary, there is so much more drama surrounding the new cast members that it didn't feel as authentic to the series. Some wonder if the cast members are just struggling, while others believe the stories are being heavily influenced by the producers. With many feeling the pressure of producer interference, viewers are wondering if the show can recover
BDSY was one of Bravo's most anticipated premieres in 2024
The show was lost
Sailing yacht below deck is set to be one of Bravo's most exciting shows in 2024as he was absent from the schedule throughout the year and viewers were confused as to whether he would return or not. BDSY Fans were excited to see the season, which was filmed in 2023, but knew things wouldn't be easy after Gary's sexual misconduct allegations came to light. Gary, one of the series' most polarizing cast members, has been a magnet for drama throughout his time on the series, creating interesting stories that viewers will remember for years to come.
With Sailing yacht below deck season 4 was one of the most dramatic seasons of the series, many were ready to see even more drama in the next season. As viewers patiently waited for the next premiere, they kept an eye on the BDSY The Season 4 cast, especially after the season's rocky reunion showed a crack in their foundation. With the love triangle between Gary, boss Stew Daisy, and chief engineer Colin MacRae driving the longtime friends away from each other, viewers knew that even without Colin returning to the cast, BDSY Season 5 would be exciting.
Gary King's Bad Behavior Put a Stain on Sailing Yacht Below Deck
His off-screen behavior was unnecessary
Although Gary has a larger-than-life on-screen personality, his desire for drama put his character in danger throughout Sailing yacht below deck. With his dramatic storylines becoming such an integral part of the show's success, it was shocking when his off-screen behavior became something that made it impossible to keep him as a big part of the show. Between Sailing yacht below deck season 4 and season 5, Gary was accused of sexual misconduct by a Below Deck makeup artist for the franchise, which put the show's producers in a difficult position. Although Gary denied the allegations, they were still out there.
Rather than severing ties with Gary in the middle of BDSY Season 5, which was being filmed when the allegations surfaced, producers chose to heavily edit Gary out of season. In an attempt to distance the franchise from the scandal without completely excluding him, Gary's presence was minimal and viewers were outraged. The decision only fueled criticism from viewers, many of whom felt the show was protecting Gary for no reason. The fallout from Gary's scandal left a huge stain on the series, making it clear that the producers felt they couldn't continue with or without him.
BDSY producers changed direction to create drama without Gary
They needed to fill in the gaps
Like Gary's screen time, which usually contributes to the high drama of Sailing yacht below deck Season 5, drastically shortened this season, the producers were faced with a problem they needed to resolve quickly. Instead of investing more in Gary, the BDSY producers chose to reshape the season around the drama of other cast members, especially those who are new to the series. Bringing together stories about stews Danni Warren and Diana Cruz fighting with Chief Stew Daisy along with some of the sailors facing drama within the crew, the show presented low-stakes drama that wasn't interestingbecause it seems inauthentic.
Many Below Deck Sailing yacht viewers have speculated about the presence of cast members planted by producers, who should care less about authenticity and more about buzz, as the on-screen stories feel strangely inauthentic. With the lack of Gary-directed drama available, Sailing yacht below deck the producers likely had to shift their focus to the season's weaker storylines, which led fans to scrutinize their practices this season. As the series progresses towards the end of Sailing yacht below deck 5th season, viewers have consistently struggled to find enjoyment in the show.
Can Below Deck Sailing Yacht Return?
The program needs to be reformulated
Although it seems likely that Sailing yacht below deck season 6 will air on Bravo in 2025, it's unclear whether the series will be able to recapture the magic of previous seasons. Originally a flagship series in the franchise Sailing yacht below deck has struggled this season and created problems for viewers that weren't present in previous seasons. The dependence on potential production plants to create drama in the series has been difficult to deal withand viewers are not interested in seeing another Sailing yacht below deck season that appears to be entirely comprised of producer-directed drama.
Although there will probably be another season of Sailing yacht below deck in the future it will need to change tremendously before returning for another charter season on Parsifal III. While Bravo viewers expect a certain quality of reality television on the network, they also expect a specific level of reality in their reality shows. With Gary likely not returning and the cast undergoing a bit of an overhaul, Sailing yacht below deck season 6 could use next season as a rebrand for the series. The show could change its trajectory and become unmissable for Below Deck spectators.
Sailing yacht below deck airs Mondays at 9pm EST on Bravo.
Source: Below Deck/Instagram