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Below Deck's New Chief Stew Has a Major Connection to an Alum: "The Secret Is Out"
Past Below Deck Med yachties reveal what to expect from Heather Chase in Season 9.
Below Deck may be getting a new chief stew for Season 9, but she's already a familiar face to some members of this nautical family.
Following this week's announcement that Below Deck would be returning for Season 9 on Monday, October 25 at 9/8c (with episodes streaming the next day on Peacock), Alex Radcliffe took to Instagram to share his excitement for Heather Chase joining the crew as the new chief stew. And, apparently, the two go way back.
"So pumped the secret is out that one of my best friends in the yachting world is the chief stew of the new season of [Below Deck]," Alex, who appeared as a deckhand in Season 5 of Below Deck Mediterranean, shared on Instagram on August 19. "I can honestly say she’s one of the most genuine/ kind hearted [humans] I know."
Alex's post featured a photo of him and Heather enjoying a glass of wine during a past hangout sesh. The pic was tagged in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Heather commented on the post, "Cats out of the bag," along with, "You’re the best," and "#morewinenightsplease."
The Instagram post also caught the attention of Alex's fellow Below Deck Med alum Anastasia Surmava, who appeared as a stew and chef in Season 4. She commented with several heart eye emojis and also shared her excitement for Heather's upcoming appearance in Below Deck Season 9 in her Instagram Stories. "My girl is the new chief, [y'all]!" Anastasia gushed while sharing photos from the new season of Heather, Captain Lee Rosbach, and Chef Rachel Hargrove. "Love you [Heather]. So damn proud of you!!!!"
Anastasia also said of Heather in her Instagram Stories, "Just look at her!!!!! Can't wait to watch you crush it this season baby!" Heather later shared Anastasia's post in her Instagram Stories, noting, "The support is unreal."
In addition to Heather, Below Deck Season 9 will also welcome several other new crew members, including stews Jessica Albert and Fraser Olender, and deckhands Jake Foulger, Rayna Lindsay, and Wes O'Dell. They will be joined by returning yachties, Chef Rachel and Eddie Lucas, who has been promoted to first officer.
Captain Lee will also be back at the helm of My Seanna as the superyacht sails around St. Kitts in the Caribbean. However, for the first time in the history of the franchise, the new season will kick off with a different captain, Captain Sean Meagher, who steps in to oversee things when Captain Lee is unexpectedly delayed.
Catch up on the first seven seasons of Below Deck streaming now on Peacock with Season 8 launching on the platform on September 25.
For now, you can see Alex and Anastasia on Below Deck Mediterranean Galley Talk Fridays at 8/7c on Bravo where they break down the buzziest moments of Season 5.
