Natalya Scudder Makes Shocking Return to 'Below Deck Mediterranean'

Season 8 of Below Deck Mediterranean unfolds with Natalya Scudder facing several challenges. Her heated feud with Tumi Mhlongo, coupled with the complexities of her open relationship with a co-star, adds to the drama.

As the season progresses, Natalya faces uncertainty about her relationship with her boyfriend back home. The chaos intensifies when her involvement with Luka Brunton comes to light, reaching a breaking point in Episode 7 when she confesses being intimate with Luka to her boyfriend.

The revelation takes a surprising turn when Natalya discovers that her boyfriend slept with another woman while on vacation. Consequently, she leaves the show — but is this a permanent exit from Below Deck Med?

In the Nov. 20, 2023, episode of Below Deck Med, Natalya decides to leave the boat, thereby leaving the show. Prior to this, she had opened up to Captain Sandy about the drama being a catalyst for her considering her exit.

"I just don't think mentally I'm doing well on the boat," Natalya admits to Captain Sandy at one point. Captain Sandy shows Natalya nothing but sympathy and sorrow for what's happening, especially because of her cheating boyfriend.

"I love having you on board, I don't want you to leave," Captain Sandy states.

However, in the episode, Natalya explains that she wants to be "valued" and, she tells Captain Sandy, "I feel the need to get off now. I just don't feel good in my environment. I feel safe, but I just don't feel good."

At the time, Luka gives Natalya space because he's not looking to ruin her relationship: "I can definitely see that this is affecting Natalya quite a lot," he explains. "In this situation, I'm just going to respect her boundaries. She says that this is the love of her life. I'm not going to get in the way of that."

However, if you're curious to know if Natalya is still with that guy, the answer is no! She confirmed in an interview with Us Weekly in November 2023 that she's "single AF" and dumped her cheating boyfriend.

"If anyone wants to message me, I'm on Instagram," she added, per Soaps. Natalya also announced her singleness in an Instagram Story post in October 2023.

With this revelation in mind, it makes perfect sense why Natalya is seen joining the crew on their last night out! Yes, you read that right: Natalya is making a return to Below Deck Med for the Season 8 finale.

Even though Natalya and Luka have been texting up a storm since her departure, things are about to get extra flirty now that she's back on deck — and Jessika might not be too thrilled to see them together again.

Catch new episodes of Below Deck Mediterranean on Mondays at 9 p.m. EST on Bravo.