Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast members displayed shock and a certain degree of guilt in the show's season premiere Monday night over the suicide of cast member Taylor Armstrong's husband.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is an American reality series on the Bravo TV network.

Russell Armstrong hanged himself on Aug. 15, after filming for the show's second season was complete. Difficulties in the Armstrongs' marriage were a part of a storyline in Season 1 and cast members said Russell Armstrong's death came after a separation. Their breakup had been expected to be a key part of the plot for season No. 2.

The cast got together at Adrienne Maloof's home on Aug. 29 to film a short prologue to address the suicide for the season premiere. The consequent episode and the rest of the season are being edited by series producers. Most probably there will some of the focus taken off the couple's marital problems.

Taylor Armstrong was not part of the show's opening.

The other housewives all seemed to concur that they needed to support their friend in her time of need. Some of the women said they had no idea of Russell Armstrong's mental state, and they discussed the financial stress of keeping up with friends and neighbors in wealthy Beverly Hills, Calif.

Russell Armstrong left no suicide note, but cast members speculated financial difficulties may have led to his suicide. They said Taylor Armstrong might not have been aware of Russell's troubles.