As Below Deck, which needs an editing overhaul, has captivated viewers with its new take on workplace reality television, shifting the setting from bleak offices to the high seas aboard luxurious ships in breathtaking locations. Below Deck’s success since its 2013 premiere has led to four spin-offs: Below Deck Mediterranean, Below Deck Sailing Yacht, Below Deck Down Under, and the short-lived Below Deck Adventure.

With over 400 episodes across the five series, Below Deck has exhausted many of its most well-known storylines. I’ve loved watching crew with clashing personalities gathered in tight quarters, entitled guests with lavish demands, and the unpredictable maritime conditions. But after more than a decade, the show is running short of ways to keep these same tropes from becoming bland and predictable. In order to keep interest high and content feeling fresh, Below Deck needs to explore some new ideas.

6 Below Deck Should Have An All-Star Season

The Best Crew Should Unite

Below Deck has introduced viewers to some of the most memorable cast in reality television history. A surefire hit would be to reunite the franchise’s greatest alumni in an all-star season. This tactic has worked for several other reality shows, including Survivor and The Challenge. I would love to see a group of Below Deck’s most famous crew come face-to-face for the first time and navigate their varying approaches to the job.

One of Below Deck’s shortcomings is that the cast lineup changes so frequently. While a few cast typically return from one season to the next, it’s hard to connect to a cast made up almost entirely of newcomers. Even worse, the frequency of firings means even more turnover mid-season. An all-star cast would not only draw viewers in by bringing together fan favorites, it would guarantee that the crew’s performance would be on point and minimize the chance of egregious mistakes leading to termination.

5 Below Deck Should Bring Back A Former Bosun As A Captain

Viewers Want To See The Stars Progress In Their Profession

While most Below Deck bosuns dream of rising to the rank of captain, the show has yet to fully explore this idea. Many have been promoted between deckhand, lead deckhand, and bosun, but the chain stops there. I believe one of Below Deck’s strongest qualities is its focus on a profession that most viewers know little about, and having a former bosun take on the captain role would be the ultimate display of the growth that happens both onscreen and off.

This concept also has the potential for endless entertainment in the form of a first-time captain learning the ropes. Even the most qualified bosun would have a learning curve when stepping into the captain role for the first time, and I’m sure viewers would love to see the nitty-gritty of that transition. Below Deck is missing out on the opportunity to take internal growth to the next level and show viewers what really happens when a deserving crew member takes on the highest level of responsibility.

4 Below Deck Should Give Redemption Arcs To More Past Cast

More Yachties Deserve Second Chances

One of the joys of Below Deck is watching the chaos created by incompetent, unruly crew . Many arrive on board only to find themselves in way over their heads, whether due to pressure from the cameras or the high-stakes nature of luxury charters. At the same time, watching the season air can provide a harsh but necessary wake-up call.

Some formerly destructive crew have returned to the franchise, They've redeemed themselves after having learned from their mistakes. One example is Chef Rachel Hargrove, who went from storming off the yacht during Below Deck season 8 to returning for two more seasons.

I think the franchise would benefit from showing more of these redemption arcs. Viewers love to see their favorite villains become heroes. The draw of having more familiar crew would also help retain audiences from one season to the next. Bravo could even consider bringing back a crew member that had been previously fired. This would show that a comeback is possible in any scenario, and it would raise the stakes even higher during their return season.

3 Below Deck Should Have Kate Chastain As A Guest

Viewers Would Love To See Kate Again

The controversial Kate Chastain is emblematic of the Below Deck chief stew role, despite bringing the drama. After ing the show in its infancy, she retained the position for six seasons, becoming one of the most well-known faces of the entire franchise. However, Kate couldn’t endure the grueling conditions of life at sea forever, and the drama on set took a toll on her. Kate retired at the end of season 7 to pursue other career options. She went on to welcome a son in May 2023.

While I'm not holding out hope for Kate to return as a Below Deck crew member, it would be fascinating to see her back on the show as a guest. An appearance by Kate would unquestionably be a huge draw for the franchise, and it would be a full-circle moment for both Kate and viewers. And despite moving on from her former role, there are promising signs that a return to the small screen isn’t out of the realm of possibility. Kate’s set to appear in the season of House Of Villains, suggesting she’s not yet ready to put reality TV behind her for good.

2 Below Deck Should Not Cast Gary King Anymore

Gary’s Bad Behavior Reflects Poorly On The Franchise

Below Deck has seen its fair share of problematic crew , but there’s no question that Gary King is by far the most controversial. Gary, the bosun on Below Deck Sailing Yacht, has long troubled fans with his aggressiveness and immaturity. His partying and womanizing ways made it hard for fans to have much respect for him. Gary’s situation worsened when a member of the production crew came forward with startling sexual misconduct allegations against Gary in August 2023. The complaints were later formalized in a lawsuit filed against Gary and Bravo in February 2025.

The allegations against Gary renewed calls for the franchise to part ways with him. I was shocked when Gary returned as first officer in BDSY season 5, which had started filming prior to the allegations becoming public. Many viewers were disgusted by the network’s apparent decision to stand by Gary, despite his history of problematic behavior. I believe Gary’s continued employment cost Below Deck a lot of viewers. Firing Gary and publicly denouncing his actions would be a crucial step towards regaining the loyalty of those who refused to the show amid the fallout.

1 Below Deck Should Add A Spinoff With An All-New Cast

It’s Time For A Fresh Start

Although Below Deck’s existing spin-offs have for the most part been successful, it might be time for the network to consider adding one more to the lineup. More than two years have ed since the premiere of the latest iteration, Below Deck Adventure, which only lasted one season. Now that Adventure is off the air, the door is open for another spin-off to take its place, with an all-new cast to give it a truly fresh start.

The changing viewership patterns and global economy over the past several years give Below Deck good reason to take a different direction in its next spin-off. The network can surely identify a niche that isn’t covered in its current lineup. Moreover, the problematic behavior that has plagued the franchise has attracted more scrutiny in recent years. Starting a new spin-off with a brand-new crew would give the franchise a clean slate, something that could attract a whole new demographic of viewers and restore its unique feel.

Below Deck season 12 premieres on Monday, June 2 at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.