Below Deck Season 12 Filming Confirms Another Returning Cast Member After Boatmance (SPOILERS)

Note: this article contains spoilers for Below Deck season 12.

Summary Captain Kerry and Chief Stew Fraser are returning for Below Deck season 12, joined by familiar face Kyle Stillie on the St. David crew.

Fraser faces challenges with management style, while Kyle's hard work on the exterior team is creating fan anticipation.

Returning crewmates from Below Deck season 11 sets the stage for potential drama and dynamic changes on St. David this season.

Below Deck season 12 has already begun filming, and with both Captain Kerry Titheradge and Chief Stew Fraser Olender already reported to be returning, there’s another familiar face joining the crew of yachties. Throughout Below Deck season 11, the crew worked well together despite having some hiccups in their interpersonal dynamics throughout the charter season. Fraser had some issues with the stews working on his team, especially stew Barbie Pascual, but made it through the charter season. After Bosun Ben Willoughby claimed he’d never return to Below Deck with Captain Kerry at the lead, who is returning to the show?

According to spoilers shared by Reddit user u/darcybby, the cast was spotted filming in St. Marteen and one of the beloved Below Deck season 11 crew members that’s joined St. David was present. Kyle Stillie, who worked as one of the deckhands aboard St. David in the last season, appears to be on the crew for Below Deck season 12 as well. Fraser is also seen in one of the photos at what appears to be a crew night out, and though he’s spotted alone, Kyle’s in a photo of one of the camera monitors shared in the post.

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Will Kyle & Fraser’s Return Help Or Hurt Below Deck Season 12?

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The crew dynamic on Below Deck season 11 was interesting, especially in the way it unraveled toward the end of the season. While the crew worked well together once Cat Baugh and Jared Woodin left the superyacht, there was still a level of interpersonal drama that didn’t get entirely addressed on the show. While Fraser’s management style was a struggle for the interior team, Captain Kerry showing issue with the way his Chief Stew handled issues was a bigger red flag for most Below Deck viewers. Generally, Fraser’s attitude could continue to be an issue aboard St. David this season.

While Fraser has a set of problems of his own that he needs to work on, Kyle was an integral part of the exterior team during his time aboard St. David on Below Deck season 11. Though Kyle wasn’t promoted to the lead deckhand position when Ben had to choose a successor, he’s a hard worker who was able to keep the team on track from within his role. Kyle’s time aboard St. David may have been a bit skewed due to his boatmance with Barbie, but the pair’s difficult end seemed like a moment of change for the deckhand.

As Below Deck season 12 gets underway, the cast is in place as the St. David has began its journey through the charter season. Though many seasons of Below Deck have returning cast members, the fact that three of the crewmates from Below Deck season 11 will be joining the next charter is interesting. With Captain Kerry, Fraser, and Kyle all boarding the St. David for another charter season, it will be fascinating to see what the rest of the crew does to change Below Deck’s dynamic.

Below Deck is available to stream on Peacock.

Sources: u/darcybby/Reddit, Kyle Stillie/Instagram