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With Jax Taylor’s recent announcement that he’s leaving The Valley, fans are naturally wondering what the future holds for the Bravo series. Taylor, one of the show’s founding cast members, was a central figure through much of season two, but his departure marks a significant change.
Alex Baskin, the show’s executive producer, recently spoke to The Hollywood Reporter to share insights on what lies ahead, addressing Jax’s exit, the role of Vanderpump Rules alumni, and how the show plans to evolve moving forward.
On Jax’s departure and the impact on the show, Baskin acknowledged, “Jax is obviously a mainstay. We did spend half the season without him, and that period of time was really full and rich, so I don’t think that we’re [searching] for story to tell. I think it’s going to be different, but I don’t think different is a bad thing.” He also reflected on the challenges season two faced due to Jax and Brittany Cartwright’s turbulent relationship, including a serious incident that led to Taylor’s rehab stay and ultimately sparked calls for his removal.
Addressing the integration of Vanderpump Rules cast members like Scheana, Lala Kent, and Tom Schwartz, Baskin acknowledged the fan reactions: “I think it’s a super passionate fanbase, and it is amazing to me that we’re even a little bit removed from season 11 of Vanderpump Rules and those passions haven’t cooled, and so [we] certainly take note of that. I wouldn’t say that there’s any consensus, I would say that there’s a lot of heated thoughts.” He emphasized that these individuals “are very comfortable living their lives in front of the cameras. They’re used to it, they’ve been doing it for a long time.”
When asked about Scheana’s prominent presence on The Valley and whether the finale hinted at her continuing on the show with her husband Brock Davies, Baskin stated, “We’re making our plans for next season. I wouldn’t say we were trying to set the stage to do anything in particular, but again, Scheana is really friends with that entire group, and so you actually have to take pains, in some cases, to not include that group, or those Vanderpump folks, because they are connected to this group.” He also mentioned the desire to give other cast members like Jasmine and Zack more opportunity to shine, noting, “We’re figuring out where we go from here. Obviously, there are already changes: Jax isn’t coming back, so season three will be different just by virtue of that.”
On the revelation of Brock Davies’ infidelity—news Scheana kept private before season 11 of Vanderpump Rules—Baskin expressed regret that the show couldn’t cover this significant chapter. “We didn’t know about it. She kept it, obviously, under very tight wraps, so very few people in her life knew. And sure, I think it’s a story that we would have and should have covered. These are series’ about people’s lives, and they’re very much predicated on seeing it all, knowing what’s going on with them.”
Regarding the possibility of Jax’s return, Baskin remained noncommittal but supportive of his current focus on recovery. “Our thoughts first are we think that’s the right move for him to make, and we’re not thinking about what his future with the show looks like. We’re A) focused on making our show, and B) it’s sort of up to him to do what he needs to do, to take care of himself, and then that impacts the rest of it.”
When questioned if the audience backlash influenced Jax’s decision to step away, Baskin admitted, “I think in some cases the response from the audience is a good thing, and I think it forces someone to assess where they are and what they might need to do. So I’m sure that played a role in it, because the audience was very clear, understandably, how they felt about the situation… And certainly that’s something that we take into account, and he took it into account.”
Looking ahead to season three and the challenge of moving on without one of its core cast members, Baskin remained optimistic: “We have a really large and robust group. Jax is obviously a mainstay. We did spend half the season without him, and that period of time was really full and rich, so I don’t think that we’re [searching] for story to tell. I think it’s going to be different, but I don’t think different is a bad thing.” He also pointed out the risk of “telling the same story over and over again” and welcomed the new opportunities: “I think it opens up more space for story to unfold. And undoubtedly, with this group, it will.”
In short, while Jax Taylor’s exit marks a turning point for The Valley, the show’s leadership is embracing change and preparing for a fresh chapter that will continue to captivate fans with new stories and dynamics.