A reboot of iconic 1990s drama Beverly Hills, 90210 is in the works, with a majority of the series’ original cast onboard to reprise their roles. The network is so entrenched in current American life, it can sometimes be hard to remember that FOX has only been around since the mid-1980s. When FOX launched, it was viewed as an upstart not worth worrying about by many, and unlikely to offer a challenge to long-established channels like CBS, NBC, and ABC. However, early hits like Married with Children, The Simpsons, and Beverly Hills, 90210, helped prove that FOX was both here to stay and a pop culture force to be reckoned with.
Created by Darren Star and produced by prolific TV mastermind Aaron Spelling, Beverly Hills, 90210 premiered in October 1990, and would spend most of its decade-long run near the top of the small screen drama landscape. The series was originally designed to focus primarily on brother and sister duo Brandon and Brenda Walsh (Jason Priestley and Shannen Doherty, respectively), whose family had just recently moved from Minneapolis to the titular California location. Over time though, Beverly Hills, 90210 morphed into more of an ensemble show, even continuing on long after Doherty - and later Priestley - exited.
Now, Deadline reports that a reboot of Beverly Hills, 90210 is being shopped around to various linear TV networks and streaming platforms. The project hails from CBS TV Studios, and multiple buyers are reportedly interested. Writer/producers Mike Chessler and Chris Alberghini are behind the idea, and both worked on The CW’s prior reboot of the property, entitled simply 90210. However, Deadline describes this new potential series as “not a traditional reboot,” and for now it’s unclear what they mean by that.
As of now, a majority of Beverly Hills, 90210’s core original cast is signed on to reprise their roles, including Jennie Garth (Kelly), Tori Spelling (Donna), Jason Priestley (Brandon), Ian Ziering (Steve), Brian Austin Green (David) and Gabrielle Carteris (Andrea). While that’s the majority of the classic line-up, conspicuous by their absence so far are Luke Perry (Dylan) and Shannen Doherty (Brenda). Dylan and Brenda spent the early years of the series as most fans’ preferred couple, but unfortunately - for now at least - it doesn’t look like either is ready to come back.
While it’s not too hard to imagine something being worked out with Perry - currently a series regular on The CW’s Riverdale - to return, even if just on a limited basis, Doherty seems much less likely. Doherty departed the original Beverly Hills, 90210 show in 1994, amid reports of her clashing with both costars and producers. She didn’t even return for the series finale in 2000, an event which saw many previously departed cast members resurface. She did, however, briefly reprise the Brenda role for The CW’s 90210, which took place in the same universe as the original.
More: 15 Secrets Behind 90210 You Had No Idea About
Source: Deadline
