RHOSLC's Meredith Marks Is 'Excited' Mary Cosby Is Back: 'She Brings an Unusual Humor to the Show' (Exclusive)

The Bravo star also tells PEOPLE that ‘Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’ fans can expect a “wild ride” in the upcoming fourth season, which premieres Tuesday

Meredith Marks is thrilled to have an old friend back The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.

Ahead of the season four premiere on Tuesday RHOSLCjewelry designer spoke exclusively with PEOPLE about what fans can expect — including the expected return of former Housewife Mary Cosby.

While Cosby — who exited the show before season three — is just a friend of the franchise this season, Marks, 51, says it was “great” to have her back on screen.

“I was really excited to have Mary back because I think she brings a very offbeat humor to the show,” Marks tells PEOPLE. “I also like that she’s quite direct and doesn’t hold back her opinion, so I thought it was great that she was back.”

Since commenting on the “smell of the hospital” in season one, Cosby, 50, has become known for her unfiltered antics. If the Season 4 trailer is any indication — which features Cosby announcing, “Somebody farted,” as he walks into Marks’ Park City, Utah store — there will be no shortage of drama.

‘RHOSLC’ trailer: Mary returns, Heather throws a ‘grenade’ and new woman sets her sights on Lisa and Meredith’s men

“She’s just funny. She makes me laugh,” says Marks, adding that Cosby’s humor was “an element” the show needed.

While season four marks Cosby’s return to the franchise, former housewife Jen Shah will not appear this season as she is currently serving a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence for her role in a long-running telemarketing scheme.

Marks insists there is no “heavy void” in light of Shah’s absence. “Of course, you’ll see a shift in energy, but it’s an ensemble, so there’s a lot of people contributing and playing their part in it, so to speak,” she explains. – There are changes, but it is simply different.

‘The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’ season 4 cast members (from left): Monica Garcia, Meredith Marks, Heather Gay, Lisa Barlow, Whitney Rose and Angie Katsanevas.

Gizelle Hernandez/Bravo

Mary Cosby Films With ‘RHOSLC’ Ladies For Season 4: ‘The Show Was Missing Something,’ Source Says

Joining the Marks cast are housewives Heather Gay, Lisa Barlow and Whitney Rose, as well as new castmates Monica Garcia and Angie Katsanevas, who was previously a friend of the franchise.

In March, a production source told PEOPLE that Cosby was filming the fourth season of the reality show, though it was unclear whether she would be a housewife or a full-time friend at the time.

“The ladies said before the show that they missed something without Mary last season,” the insider added. “So there’s a feeling among everyone that the magic is back.”

Meredith Marks of ‘The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’.

NBC Universal

‘RHOSLC’ star Meredith Marks ‘more than happy to be alive and well’ after her car plunges off a snowy cliff

As for Marks’ own experience filming her fourth season, she says she had a lot of “mixed emotions.”

“You’re optimistic that everything is going to be fantastic, but you’re also realistic, knowing that it’s kind of impossible,” she tells PEOPLE, calling the season a “wild ride” with an “unbelievable outcome.”

While Marks says she’s “relatively unbothered” by some of the drama surrounding her this season, she also promises fans will see her “engage” in conflict.

“There’s so much thrown at me that you’ll definitely see me engage,” she assures.

In addition to filming the series, Marks has also been busy launching a caviar collection, Meredith Marks Caviar, and an upcoming podcast about her relationship with husband Seth Marks, with whom she recently celebrated 27 years of marriage.

“Caviar is a passion that I absolutely love, and I thought, well, diamonds and caviar, what could be better?” she says about her latest business venture, which her Housewives have already tasted. “Let’s hope they all like it.”

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The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City premieres Tuesday at 9:00 PM ET on Bravo.

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Source: HIS Education