Bravo recently released a mid-season trailer for season 8 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta and it’s clear that the network is banking on the return of Nene Leakes to save them from steadily declining viewership.

Many totally tuned out during last week’s episode, which turned out to be a failed attempt to redeem Kenya Moore’s tarnished image (click HERE if you missed that).

In the new trailer, which you can watch below, the ladies get the surprise of their lives when the veteran ‘housewife’ pops up during a cast trip to Jamaica.

[FLASHBACK: RHOA Group Shot: Nene Leakes Confirms Return… ]

Watch the full 3+ minute extended RHOA season 8 mid-season trailer below…

VIDEO: RHOA Season 8 Mid-Season Trailer (Nene RETURNS!)It’s really interesting that Bravo would release a trailer in the middle of the season, they’ve clearly noticed that many fans tuned out because of Leakes’ absence and they seem to be hoping that promoting her return will win back viewers.

There are quite a few things that sparked my attention in the new trailer.

First, y’all can love her or hate her but if the snippets they show us are a true reflection of what’s to come, Nene’s return definitely makes things interesting.

Secondly, I giggled when Cynthia dayum near denied being besties with Kenya Moore in order to keep Nene as a friend. Kenya and Cynthia seem cool, but I wouldn’t consider them ‘besties’… hell, Cynthia has had her hands full tryna keep Peter in check, so she really hasn’t been too involved with any of the ladies.

Whatever the case, it looks like Nene’s return may freeze Kenya out which, in turn, has sparked that nasty green-eyed demon in Moore that thrives on creating conflict.

Case in point, according to the trailer, Kenya has decided that Kim Fields is now the ‘weakest link’ and she has set her sights on breaking the former ‘facts of life’ star.

[Sidebar: Whatever little bit of sympathy Kenya won during that fake episode about her mom will dissipate as soon as fans discover that she’s a scarred soul who hurts people with no remorse.]

In addition to dealing with Moore’s crazy behavior, Kim Fields will be faced with rumors about her husband, Christoper Morgan, being gay.

During the Christmas celebration thrown by Phaedra Parks, she’s heard calling him ‘Mr. Bojangles’ as he shows off a few of his broadway dance moves.  The trailer would suggest that Sheree Whitfield is the bearer of the bad news.

It seems a lot will go down during the 2nd half of season 8, but as we all know… trailers are meant to incite. Sometimes we don’t even get to see half of the drama that they promise, but only time will tell.

What are your thoughts on the newly released RHOA ‘mid-season’ trailer?