The Real Housewives of Atlanta may have lost a ‘star’ player in Nene Leakes, but it appears they’ve picked up two drama queens in return: Sheree Whitfield & Marlo Hampton!

The popular reality show has been taping around town for months now and this past weekend, the first ‘full cast’ event was held during Cynthia Bailey’s eyewear launch party.

[sidebar: ‘Full cast’ meaning that everyone full and/or part time was included in the taping.]

Being that the event was public, there were tons of photos that hit the net, and to everyone’s surprise ex-‘housewife’ Sheree Whitfield and former background character Marlo Hampton were spotted filming with the ladies.

Nene’s departure is clearly good news for both Whitfield, who is still knee deep in tax liens?and?Hampton, who has been begging to return as well. But there’s also another RHOA ‘return’ that benefited from Leakes’ departure.

More details about RHOA season 8 casting below…

Ok, before I get into all the drama of this past weekend, let me start by saying that Kim Fields has officially been eliminated from the RHOA casting pool.

[FLASHBACK: Kim Fields Joining RHOA Season 8…]

My sources have confirmed that Fields taped with several of the cast over the past month, but she was referred to as being ‘too dry’ in every scene. ?Apparently Fields chose the reserved approach and ‘Housewives’ clearly isn’t the place for that.

That being said, Kim Fields won’t be joining this season, but Nene’s departure clearly lifted the invisible ban that was blocking both Sheree Whitfield and Marlo Hampton’s return.

Marlo is returning as a ‘friend of the show,’ ?and I’ve heard she will make several appearances alongside Kenya Moore, who needs a friend now that Claudia Jordan is gone.

Claudia and Nene left two peaches to be claimed and I suspect they will go to Porsha Williams and Sheree Whitfield.

[Sidebar: I’m starting to think that it was Porsha that Nene was referring when she said producers forced someone to ‘rent’ a boyfriend this season… CLICK HERE if you missed that. ? But I digress.]

Kandi Burruss, Cynthia Bailey, Phaedra Parks, Kenya Moore all have secure spots w/peaches. I’ve been told that Sheree was also ‘testing’ for a spot but apparently her actions during Bailey’s launch party may have secured her a peach.

Word on the curb is that Whitfield threw a drink in Kenya’s face but I’m still unclear as to the nature of their disagreement.

Whatever the case, both Sheree and Marlo are back in the game so we all anticipate another drama filled season ahead.

For the record, Nene’s departure also sparked the return of Carlos King, who is back as executive producer for season 8. ?So you know what that means? ?Drama… Drama… and more Drama!

How do you feel about Sheree & Marlo rejoining the cast of RHOA?

CLICK HERE to view more photos from Cynthia Bailey Eyewear Collection Launch Party…