Everything to Know About 'Below Deck Med' Season 9: From Aesha's Return to Captain Sandy's Proposal
Captain Sandy Yawn. Fred Jagueneau/Bravo
Fans will be thrilled to know that the newest season of Below Deck Mediterranean will be airing earlier than originally planned. This means that viewers can look forward to plenty of exciting surprises and dramatic moments in the upcoming episodes.
Bravo made the announcement in April 2024 that the new season of Below Deck Mediterranean will premiere once the current season of Below Deck concludes. The anticipation for the upcoming season is high, especially with the hint of another cast shakeup. Captain Sandy Yawn will be leading the crew once again, and fans will be excited to see the return of fan-favorite Aesha Scott, who previously worked as a stew on multiple seasons of the spinoff.
Below Deck Mediterranean is back on Bravo after a five-month break since the last season. Season 9 will be set on the Mustique but this time, the charters will be in Greece instead of Italy.
Fans are eagerly awaiting the new season, especially after the drama-filled Season 8. The previous season started off with bosun Ruan Irving facing accusations of forging paperwork, leading to Below Deck Down Under alum Luka Brunton being promoted to his position.
In the interior, things were not going smoothly for chief stew Tumi Mhlongo and Natalya Scudder. The tension kept on rising, and Kyle Viljoen found himself caught in the middle. Eventually, Natalya decided to leave and Lily Davison took her place.
Meanwhile, Kyle ended up getting into a fight with Max Salvador after a crew night out. The crew members' personal lives were just as dramatic, with Luka and Natalya starting a flirtatious friendship before Natalya's departure. Despite her leaving, Luka and Natalya stayed in touch, but things took a turn for the worse when Luka began hooking up with Jessika Asai.
After watching the season back, Sandy told We exclusively that she was committed to showing grace and patience to everyone.
“I would work with all of them because I believe in giving people the chance to grow and change. You never know if someone is willing to change unless you give them the opportunity to prove it,” she shared in December 2023. “If no one offers them a chance, why would they change? I would definitely give them all a chance to demonstrate their desire to change.”
The captain praised the crew for their resilience and teamwork, acknowledging the challenges of working and living together. He commended them for their perseverance in the midst of it all.
Keep scrolling to learn all about season 9 of Below Deck Mediterranean.
When Is ‘Below Deck Mediterranean’ Season 9 Airing on Bravo?
Everything to Know About 'Below Deck Med' Season 9: From Aesha's Return to Captain Sandy's Proposal
Bravo Media
Below Deck Mediterranean returns to Bravo with a supersized premiere on June 3, 2024, at 9 p.m. ET. Episodes will be available to stream the next day on Peacock.
Who is in the Season 9 Crew?
The Season 9 crew includes Sandy, Aesha, and Elena Dubaich. Elena previously appeared on season 7 of Below Deck Mediterranean, while Aesha was on seasons 4 and 5 before becoming the chief stew on the first two seasons of Below Deck Down Under.
What Do We Know About the Season So Far?
So far this season, we have newcomer Bri Muller and Chef Johnathan Shillingford on the interior. On the exterior, we have bosun Iain Maclean, along with deckhands Joe Bradley (different from the one from Southern Hospitality), Nathan Gallager, and Gael Cameron.
Everything to Know About 'Below Deck Med' Season 9: From Aesha's Return to Captain Sandy's Proposal
Fred Jagueneau/Bravo
Captain Sandy's fiancée will make an appearance on the show for the first time in season 9.
Everything to Know About 'Below Deck Med' Season 9: From Aesha's Return to Captain Sandy's Proposal
Fred Jagueneau/Bravo
Season 9 of the show is anticipated to have a special moment with Sandy's girlfriend, Leah Shafer, making her first appearance. Sandy teased the possibility of Leah appearing on the show, saying in a December 2023 interview with Us Weekly, "We don't show much of my personal life on TV, but stay tuned. You never know what might happen."
The sneak peek not only revealed that Leah will be making her debut on the show, but also hinted at a proposal happening.
What about Drama?
The trailer teased some drama on the show, with Aesha describing a challenging management situation she faced. On the other hand, the chef seemed sure of his cooking abilities despite receiving mixed reviews from guests.
Sandy was also forced to lay down the law when she is seen telling two crew members that they “need to figure it out” or they are both gone.
Editor's P/S:
The upcoming season of Below Deck Mediterranean promises to deliver a captivating blend of excitement and drama. With the return of fan-favorite Captain Sandy Yawn and Aesha Scott, viewers can expect plenty of thrilling moments and intriguing character dynamics. The shakeup in the cast, including the addition of newcomers Bri Muller and Chef Johnathan Shillingford, adds an element of uncertainty, making it all the more compelling to watch.
The season's setting in the picturesque Greek islands of Mustique provides a stunning backdrop for the crew's adventures. However, the trailer hints at challenges and confrontations that will test their limits. From Aesha's managerial dilemmas to the chef's unwavering confidence despite mixed feedback, the season is poised to explore the complexities of working and living in close quarters. Captain Sandy's unwavering determination to show grace and patience, as well as her fiancée Leah Shafer's anticipated appearance, will add layers of human interest to the show's dynamic narrative.