Below Deck Mediterraneanseason 9 has wrapped, and while there was criticism regarding producer plants, those accused were the best cast members in the show. Captain Sandy Yawn returned to the helm of the Mustique, and fan-favorite Chief Stew Aesha Scott switched her allegiance fromBelow Deck Down Under, choosing to star in the Mediterranean spin-off. The rest of the crew was brand-new to the franchise. As fans awaitBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason 10, producers should consider more drama-inducing “plants” in the new cast.
TheBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason 9 cast was wild. Bosun Iain Maclean managed to avoid getting fired despite his obvious incompetence. Chef Johnathan Shillingford could’ve killed a guest with an allergy to raw seafood, and served cookies and brownies for an anniversary dessert.Bri Muller and Elena “Ellie” Dubiach feudedover Joe Bradley, the most mediocre lead deckhand inBelow Deckfranchise history. By the time new stew andalleged producer plant Carrie O’Neillarrived to save the interior, it was smooth sailing for the rest of the season.
They Were Entertaining
Bri was suspected to be a producer plantdue to her lack of basic skills as a stew, which caused tension throughout the season. While she was cast as a third stew, automatically meaning she had less experience than her colleagues,Bri’s incompetence was baffling. Her inability to perform even the simplest tasks, such as laundry, raised eyebrows. Bri’s drama with fellow cast members, particularly Ellie, added layers to the manufactured narrative. She also found herself entangled in a pathetic love triangle with deckhand Joe, which further drove the season’s drama.
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Chef Jono, another alleged producer plant, also had a dramatic storyline. He had some early failures in the kitchen, leading to speculation that he was deliberately cast to cause problems with the interior crew, which was already running one stew short. Despite his issues, Chef Jono wasn’t fired, which reinforced the idea that his presence was designed to stir up drama rather than serve as a competent chef. However, he had a redemption arc throughout the show, and he became easy to root for.
Bri Muller & Chef Johnathan Shillingford Were Controversial Reality Stars
They Brought The Drama
Despite getting accused of being producer plants, Chef Jono and Bri were two of the most talked about cast members on theBravospin-off. Chef Jono should’ve gotten fired multiple times onBelow Deck Mediterranean, but Captain Sandy was unable to find a mid-season replacement. However, he was able to rise to the occasion and improve, leading to the possibility that his early season struggles were all manufactured.
Chef Jono and Bri were so bad at their jobs that it was difficult to look away.
Chef Jono’s cooking approach, which often combined unexpected flavors and techniques due to his unconventional training, became a talking point among the crew. While Chef Jono made it easy to wonder if his dramatic reactions to kitchen mishaps and guest demands were genuine or exaggerated for the cameras, he certainly drummed up attention. It’s unknown whetherChef Jono was actually a producer plant, but he was definitely entertaining.
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Bri also brought the drama toBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason 9. She refused to back down in arguments with Ellie, even disrespecting crew rank and keeping a “burn book” in the laundry room. Bri also continued to flirt with Joe after he and Ellie made out, clearly a move to perpetuate drama rather than genuine interest. Conveniently,Bri finally learned how to do laundryby the end of the season.
It Created More Excitement For Next Season
The Producer Plants Were Entertaining Cast Members
Below Deck Mediterranean’s alleged producer plants created more excitement for upcoming seasons. While Chef Jono struggled towards the beginning of the charter season, it would be exciting for Captain Sandy to bring him back for a second chance. Additionally, the dynamics betweenBri, Ellie, and Carrie were ready to explode by the end ofBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason 9. Chief Stew Aesha could reach her wit’s end with the erratic and dramatic interior crew. So many questions were left unanswered, and that was partially due to the alleged producer plants.
Could Any Of The Alleged Producer Plants Return For Season 10?
Captain Sandy Might Give Them Another Chance
Captain Sandy might choose to give some of the alleged producer plants another chance. Chef Jono would’ve been fired mid-season, but he ended up finishing the season strong. He’s entertaining enough that he could be invited back. Additionally,Ellie was accused of being a producer plantfor stirring up trouble with Aesha. She’s less likely to be invited back because she caused plenty of drama onboard and has a personal beef with Aesha, one of the most popular cast members in the franchise.
Bravo has neither confirmed nor denied the existence of producer plants inBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason 9.
Bri did figure out how to do the laundry by the end of the season, and Captain Sandy seemed to have a soft spot for the young stew. She could ostensibly return. Additionally, Carrie was a positive addition to the interior, and Aesha could advocate for her return. However, Carrie also has chief stew experience, so she could appear in anotherBelow Deckspin-off as a leader of the interior. Regardless of whether any of the cast members were producer plants, theBelow Deck Mediterraneancast certainly brought the drama.
Below Deck Sailing Yachtseason 5 airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo and streams the next day on Peacock.
Below Deck Mediterranean
Cast
Below Deck Mediterranean is a Bravo reality television series that follows a crew that works aboard a gigantic superyacht during the busy season. The show highlights the challenges of the crew as they serve their high-end clientele. Each season tackles new locations, such as Greece, Croatia, Italy, and France, with some repeating.
