Is Southern Charm's Shep Rose Too Old To Be On The Show?

When Southern Charm premiered on Bravo in 2014, it was so different from most reality TV shows in that it showcased Charleston, South Carolina's most prominent socialites of varying ages. The first-ever season showcased 50-year-old politician Thomas Ravenel and his relationship with 21-year-old Kathryn Dennis, 30-something-year-old serial dater Shep Rose, 25-year-old entrepreneur Craig Conover, and career-driven 31-year-old Cameran Eubanks.

However, as fans have seen cast members come and go, including Cameran and Kathryn, they are particularly interested in Shep hanging with the Charleston crew. Now in his mid-40s, viewers have wondered if he is too old to be partying with the cast, especially since Season 10 sees three fresh faces joining the charmers who are younger than he is.

But, for those who have watched the beloved show since Season 1, they all know that it's the Southern lifestyle that has captivated fans the most, no matter what age a cast member is.

Fans Wonder If Shep Rose Is Too Old To Be Partying With The Southern Charm Crew

Shep Rose is an OG cast member of Southern Charm. Fans first met him as a frat boy who loved to party and hook up with women in Charleston in Season 1. With Season 10 premiering in December and Shep now in his mid-40's, Shep hasn't exactly changed.

However, a Reddit thread discussing if Shep should still be on the show because of his age had a lot of fans talking. This thread asked how Shep fits in with a "younger vibe" now that he is regarded as the oldest cast member of the show. Although Whitney Sudler-Smith and his mother, Patricia Altschul, are much older than Shep, they have remained as friends of the group and not part of the main cast. They are never or rarely seen on cast group vacations.

The Reddit thread initially asked: "It is just me or does it feel that Shep is past his due by date for this show? Southern Charm has a younger vibe and I get the ick seeing him hit on 20 year olds like they are his peers. It’s awkward and feels predatorish."

However, the user who first questioned Shep being too old for the crew, may have been shocked to see so many commenters stating that Shep's age is not a factor. In fact, most of the commenters believe Shep has every right to still be on the show because, as one user wrote, "Shep is Southern Charm."

"He’s an OG. Everyone is connected to him."

Another user shared, "The show wouldn’t be the same without him in my opinion." Another wrote, "I don’t care how old someone is if they’re making good tv."

One user pointed out that Shep still brings drama to the series, which is what reality TV is all about. In Season 9, fans watched him navigate how to deal with his ex, Taylor Ann Green, and his best friend, Austen Kroll, admitting to kissing one another. In the Season 10 trailer, Shep is seen dating a former Miss Bahamas, although some of his cast mates believe she's only dating Shep because she is a Southern Charm superfan.

Southern Charm Had A Cast Of Varying Ages When It First Aired

In the same aforementioned Reddit thread, several users made solid points about why it does not matter what Shep's age is. From the very beginning of Southern Charm, fans have been introduced to Charleston socialites of all different ages, and they were all at different stages of their lives. That's what made the show different from other reality TV shows.

It's also what makes for good television. Fans watched Craig figure out his life and if he wanted to become a lawyer, Chelsea Meissner working as a hairstylist, Kathryn, the youngest of the bunch, working at Gwynn's department store, Thomas trying to get his political career back in action, John "J.D." Madison running his Gentry Bourbon business, and Miss Patricia always giving the best life advice.

Despite all their different backgrounds, they all had relationships with one another, whether that of a friend or something more. Plus, compared to other major cities, Charleston is small, so most of the cast members ran in the same circles and had grown up with one another.

"Southern Charm was never about a young vibe. It was more about a group of friends in the south who are of all ages and backgrounds, but mostly it was based on or around 30-40ish something year olds. Some were forever single, (Shep), some were married with kids, (JD). Then they mixed it up with some much older, distinguished characters like Miss Patricia, and some extremely young people, Kathryn."

Users agreed with the above statement. "Absolutely this. I have no desire to watch a bunch of girls fight. I want to see the aging royalty spend their mailbox money," one wrote.

And, when fans really think about it, Shep isn't that much older than a few of the main cast members. Especially with the cast in the new Season 10.

The Cast Is Not Much Younger Than Shep

Taking a look at the Season 10 cast, Shep may be the oldest main cast member, but so is one other charmer.

Leva Bonaparte, who also stars in the spinoff and newly announced Season 3 of Southern Hospitality, was born in 1979, which makes her 45 as of this writing. As National Today reports, she and Shep are the same age. In fact, all the main cast members for the new season are in their mid to upper 30s and early 40s, except Shep's ex, Taylor Ann Green, who was born in 1994 and was the youngest on the show before Season 10 introduced fans to former Bachelor contestant Salley Carson, who was born in 1995.

And, although some fans in the Reddit thread believe that Bravo may be pushing the old cast members out to bring in young, fresh faces, that isn't the case at all. Season 10 sees model Molly O'Connell make her Southern Charm debut. However, she was born in 1988, which makes her 36 at the time of this writing.

It's safe to say that Bravo isn't getting rid of Shep or any of the other OG's yet. These stars continue to bring drama to the show, and it continues to bring in solid ratings.

Season 10 of Southern Charm premieres on December 5 at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo and will be available to stream on Peacock the next day.