90210 continuity
Encyclopedia
The Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise comprises the ongoing timeline
and shared characters that link the American
television series Beverly Hills, 90210
; Melrose Place; Models Inc.; 90210
; and the 2009 version of Melrose Place
.
The continuity, which progresses in real time, was introduced in 1990 with the debut of Darren Star
's teen drama Beverly Hills, 90210, which was produced by Aaron Spelling
and initially aired on the FOX
television network in the United States. After this series became a worldwide success in 1991, Star expanded the franchise with 1992's Melrose Place, a drama about young adults in L.A.
which would also grow into a famous hit. The third series, Models Inc., aired from June 1994 to March 1995.
The fourth entry, simply titled 90210, was the first show in the franchise to not debut on FOX in the United States. Developed by Rob Thomas
, Gabe Sachs
, and Jeff Judah
, the series premiered on The CW Television Network
on September 2, 2008. On September 8, 2009, the fifth series, a follow-up to Melrose Place, also debuted on The CW, and concluded in April 2010.
The franchise has been generally well-received among young audiences. Several of its actors have gone on to additional success in other areas, while some have returned to portray their roles again in spin-offs. As a result, many characters have appeared in multiple shows throughout the continuity.
Aaron Spelling, whose company produced the shows, was well-known for producing some of the most famous series on television, including Dynasty
and The Love Boat
. Spelling would also produce the next show in the franchise, Models Inc., in 1994.
Melrose Place was initially inspired by Star's own professional aspirations during his 20s, while Models Inc. was born when FOX asked Spelling for an eight-part summer series. When ratings proved adequate, the show continued throughout the following television season. Models Inc. concluded in 1995, Melrose Place finished in 1999, and Beverly Hills, 90210 ended in 2000.
In 2008, the franchise returned via the fourth production, 90210, attracting a new collection of noted creators. Rob Thomas, known for the television show Veronica Mars
, began the initial work on the project. Prior to the premiere, Thomas was succeeded by producers Jeff Judah and Gabe Sachs, both known for the series Freaks and Geeks
and Undeclared
. During the first season, Rebecca Sinclair
, who had previously worked on Gilmore Girls
and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, became the series' new show runner. In June 2009, a fifth production, an updated version of Melrose Place, was officially confirmed.
-nominated scribe Charles Rosin
joined Beverly Hills, 90210 in its first year and served as a writer and executive producer, scripting several episodes in seasons to come along with his wife Karen. Other prominent writers of the first series included John Eisendrath and Steve Wasserman.
Charles Pratt, Jr.
and Frank South worked closely with Darren Star in writing early seasons of Melrose Place, helping to set the tone of the series as it grew in popularity. Pratt and South would then create the similarly toned Models Inc. Rebecca Sinclair wrote for 90210 during the first season prior to her promotion.
's Kelly Taylor
, who was instrumental in launching two spin-offs, and has been used in the most episodes throughout the continuity. Also made famous via the first program was male lead Jason Priestley
, who earned Golden Globe
nominations and began a directorial career via the series, and actor Luke Perry
, who won acclaim and drew comparisons to James Dean
. The first series brought fame to several other cast members as well.
Melrose Place featured former Dynasty and T.J. Hooker star Heather Locklear
, whose performance has been called one of the most prominent of the show, and also starred former child actress Alyssa Milano
. Models Inc. featured former Dallas
actress Linda Gray
, and later added Dynasty veteran Emma Samms
. In addition, several actors known for their work in American daytime television
—including Kristian Alfonso
, Stephen Nichols
, Jack Wagner
, and Vanessa Marcil
—have made appearances in the franchise.
In 2009, singer-actress Ashlee Simpson-Wentz
joined the proposed fifth series
of the continuity, a follow-up to Melrose Place as Violet Foster
. It was later announced that Laura Leighton
would reprise her role as Sydney Andrews
(despite the character having apparently died during the original series), who was recognized by The Hollywood Reporter
as "one of the most popular characters" from the previous show. Friday Night Lights
actress Aimee Teegarden
appeared in the fourth series, 90210, during its first season. Additionally, 90210' s Sara Foster
and Shenae Grimes
have revealed that they were fans of the original show while growing up.
Several actors have gone on to additional fame following their work in the franchise. Marcia Cross
, who would later star in Desperate Housewives
, played Kimberly Shaw in the original Melrose Place from its first season until its fifth. Kristin Davis
joined Melrose Place in 1995, and starred afterward in the HBO series Sex and the City
. Additionally, Kelly Rutherford
, later known for the series Gossip Girl
, joined MP in 1996, remaining with the show until its 1999 conclusion. Carrie-Anne Moss
, of The Matrix
fame, starred in Models Inc. throughout its duration.
Dean Cain
, who would go on to star in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
, appeared in Beverly Hills, 90210 during 1992, while Eddie Cibrian
, later known for his role in Third Watch
, guest-starred in 1996. Vivica A. Fox
, Hilary Swank
, Peter Krause
, and David Arquette
all appeared in the first show as well. Actor Kellan Lutz
guest-starred in the fourth series throughout its first season.
Debuting in 1990, the first series initially followed the teenage lives of several friends who attended the West Beverly Hills High School: Brandon Walsh (Jason Priestley
), Brenda Walsh (Shannen Doherty
), Kelly Taylor
(Jennie Garth
), Steve Sanders (Ian Ziering
), Andrea Zuckerman (Gabrielle Carteris
), Dylan McKay (Luke Perry
), David Silver (Brian Austin Green
), Scott Scanlon (Douglas Emerson
), and Donna Martin (Tori Spelling
). As the series progressed, several other characters were introduced at varying points.
Originally, the series centered around the culture shock
of twins Brandon and Brenda as they adjusted to the new experiences and friends that awaited them upon their family's move to Beverly Hills. As the show progressed, however, it gradually became more of an ensemble cast
drama, with equal attention given to the familial issues, academic matters, career aspirations, and romantic concerns of the other characters. One of the series' early focal points involved a briefly forbidden Brenda-Dylan relationship—along with a subsequent triangle involving Kelly. Other prominent stories included the beginning of a long relationship between Brandon and Kelly, a similar bond between Donna and David, and a rally organized on Donna's behalf in order to overturn a school ruling against her.
Toward the end of the second season, the character Jake Hanson—a tough but mellow biker who served as an older friend and mentor to Dylan—briefly arrived for a construction job at Kelly's house. The subsequent attraction that developed between a resistant Jake (Grant Show
) and a willing Kelly led into the second series of the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise.
Darren Star's next show, which premiered in 1992, followed the lives of several young tenants in a Los Angeles apartment complex. The relationship between Kelly and Jake was resolved over a series of episodes, with a persistent Kelly eventually letting go and returning to Beverly Hills.
Originally conceived as a fairly straight-faced drama about the personal and professional lives of people in their twenties and early thirties, Melrose Place began to change with the arrival of testy Amanda Woodward (Heather Locklear
), whose conflicts with the generally strait-laced Alison (Courtney Thorne-Smith
) over Alison's roommate Billy (Andrew Shue
) quickly became the show's centerpiece. Also focused upon was the adulterous relationship between Dr. Michael Mancini (Thomas Calabro
) and his colleague Kimberly Shaw (Marcia Cross
), which was eventually discovered by Michael's wife Jane (Josie Bissett
). The first season also introduced Jane's sister Sydney
(Laura Leighton
), an occasional vixen, who would become one of the most layered and prominent characters of the series.
With the progression of the second season—which was highlighted by divorce
, blackmail
, revenge
, character revamps, and much angst
between couples—the show had begun to secure a reputation for darker, more extraordinary story lines. This kind of writing would become standard for the series throughout the remainder of its run.
Toward the end of season 2, a somewhat mellowed Amanda was reunited with her long-estranged mother Hillary (Linda Gray
), the owner of a modeling agency. This development would provide a foundation for the franchise's third story.
Debuting in the summer of 1994, Models Inc. was produced by Spelling Television and created by Charles Pratt, Jr. and Frank South. The series followed the lives of Hillary and several of the disparate, ambitious models in the titular agency—women whom Hillary sometimes felt a maternal bond toward. Also present was Hillary's son David (Brian Gaskill
), the loyal, valiant, and occasionally hot-headed vice president of the company. At the beginning of the first episode, actors Grant Show and Daphne Zuniga
briefly appeared as their Melrose Place characters, seeing off a young model named Sarah Owens (Cassidy Rae
) as she headed to the agency.
Unlike the previous two shows in the continuity, Models Inc. did not experience any significant changes in character focus or tone—choosing, instead, to explore the ensemble cast from the start and immediately present the kind of story lines that had made Melrose Place famous. The initial focus of the series was a mystery surrounding the murder of model Teri Spencer (Stephanie Romanov
), who'd announced her intentions to leave the agency. For a number of episodes throughout the first story arc, suspects included Hillary, Teri's ex-boyfriend Brian (Cameron Daddo
), Teri's rival Julie (Kylie Travis
), and Teri's own sister Carrie (Carrie-Anne Moss
). Once the killer was revealed, the characters moved on, with their focus switching to the arrival of Stephanie Romanov's new character Monique, a model who was a nearly dead ringer for Teri. The remainder of the series largely centered around the models' growing relationships with their boyfriends and each other, while also dealing with the issues of substance abuse and the pressures of the business. Primary antagonists included several figures from the past—including a stalker, a jealous sister, and Grayson (Emma Samms
), the cunning and powerful ex-wife of Monique's fiance.
The series was canceled in March 1995. Jake Hanson, who was originally introduced in the continuity's first show, was the only character to appear in both Beverly Hills, 90210 and Models Inc.
Premiering on September 2, 2008, 90210 is produced by CBS Paramount Network Television
. The series introduces two siblings—Annie and Dixon Wilson (Dixon is adopted), played by Shenae Grimes
and Tristan Wilds
—who move to Beverly Hills with their family and enroll in West Beverly High. Like Brandon and Brenda 18 years before, Dixon and Annie meet several new friends who compose the rest of the cast, including Erin Silver (Jessica Stroup
), the half-sister of David and Kelly from the original series. The character Naomi Clark
(AnnaLynne McCord
) gained significant media attention throughout the first season, and was given increased focus at the onset of the second.
Among the returning characters is Kelly Taylor, who has appeared in a recurring role while serving as a guidance counselor at the school. Brenda Walsh also returned in a recurring part, reuniting with Kelly and directing a school musical. Donna Martin returned as well, coming back to Beverly Hills from Japan, where she worked as a fashion designer. In addition, Joe E. Tata
has made guest appearances, reprising his role of Nat Bussichio, owner of the Peach Pit coffee house where Dixon works.
On January 19, 2009, Entertainment Weekly confirmed Todd Slavkin
and Darren Swimmer
were installed as showrunners of a Melrose Place spin-off, which used the same title as the previous show. The series premiered on September 8, 2009. Ashlee Simpson-Wentz
, Shaun Sipos
, Jessica Lucas
, Stephanie Jacobsen, Katie Cassidy
, Michael Rady
, and Colin Egglesfield
were cast in regular roles. Throughout 2009, it was also revealed that Laura Leighton
, Thomas Calabro
, Josie Bissett
, Daphne Zuniga
, and Heather Locklear
would make appearances as their characters from the original series. The show was officially canceled in May 2010.
* The character has also been seen in more than one program.
labeled the program "soapy and addictive". In 1994, the series ranked #1 among viewers aged 18–34. The show was nominated for "Best Drama" at the Golden Globe Award
s in 1992 and 1993, with Jason Priestley being nominated for "Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series—Drama" in 1993 and 1995.
Entertainment Weekly
' s Ken Tucker criticized the original tone of Melrose Place in a 1992 article, stating that "on this show, everybody's a philosopher—even more unusual, a philosopher with a cute bottom." Despite giving the series a mixed review, he admitted to being "hypnotized by it" and added that "Melrose is the guilty pleasure that adds some salt and sweat to summertime TV." The show received an overhaul as it advanced toward its second season, with TV Guide citing the "bed-hopping, backstabbing and cliffhangers" as key factors in its success, also noting the arrival of Heather Locklear's Amanda Woodward. In 1994, the series became the No. 2-rated drama among viewers aged 18–34 (behind Beverly Hills, 90210), with People
magazine labeling it a "compulsively watchable, high-trash hit." Locklear and Laura Leighton were nominated for Golden Globe Awards in 1994, with Locklear receiving additional nominations from 1995 through 1997.
In his review of Models Inc., Ken Tucker claimed that the show was "trying much too hard to match Melrose for self-consciously outrageous campiness." However, he commended the work of Kylie Travis
as vixen Julie Dante. Entertainment Weekly also screened the series in front of young real-life models, who concluded that the show was unrealistic but addictive. The series ended in 1995, but later aired an alternate ending during a rebroadcast of the finale, bringing closure to the story lines.
At the time of its premiere, 90210, which marked a return for the franchise following an eight-year absence, became the highest-rated scripted debut in the history of The CW network. In the midst of its first season, the show was nominated for "Favorite New Drama" at the 2009 People's Choice Awards. Upon the completion of season 1, the show received additional nominations from the Teen Choice Awards
, including "Breakout Show" and "Choice TV Show: Drama". AnnaLynne McCord
was nominated for "Breakout Star Female" in the role of Naomi Clark
, Tristan Wilds was placed in contention for "Breakout Star Male", and Dustin Milligan
was nominated for "Choice TV Actor: Drama". Additionally, Rob Estes
and Lori Loughlin
were nominees for "Choice TV: Parental Unit". The following year, Shenae Grimes
was nominated for "Choice TV: Female Scene Stealer". At the 2010 Breakthrough of the Year Awards, AnnaLynne McCord won in the category of "Breakthrough Standout Performance".
On September 2, 2010 (9/02/10), Reuters
.com featured an article on the original series. Via a Twitter
message the same day, Jennie Garth stated, "Love to the original cast and crew. And the new kids too."
Continuity (fiction)
In fiction, continuity is consistency of the characteristics of persons, plot, objects, places and events seen by the reader or viewer over some period of time...
and shared characters that link the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television series Beverly Hills, 90210
Beverly Hills, 90210
Beverly Hills, 90210 is an American drama series that originally aired from October 4, 1990 to May 17, 2000 on Fox and was produced by Spelling Television in the United States, and subsequently on various networks around the world. It is the first series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise...
; Melrose Place; Models Inc.; 90210
90210 (TV series)
90210 is an American teen drama television series developed by Rob Thomas, Jeff Judah and Gabe Sachs, and the fourth series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise created by Darren Star. 90210 is the first series produced by CBS Productions under the company's re-launch, but is now produced by CBS...
; and the 2009 version of Melrose Place
Melrose Place (2009 TV series)
Melrose Place is an American television series broadcast on The CW Television Network from September 8, 2009 to April 13, 2010. The fifth series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise, it is an updated version of the 1990s Fox prime time drama of the same name, featuring a group of young adults...
.
The continuity, which progresses in real time, was introduced in 1990 with the debut of Darren Star
Darren Star
Darren Bennett Star is an American producer, director and writer for film and television. He is best known for creating the hit TV shows Melrose Place, Beverly Hills, 90210 and Sex and the City.-Career:...
's teen drama Beverly Hills, 90210, which was produced by Aaron Spelling
Aaron Spelling
Aaron Spelling was an American film and television producer. As of 2009, Spelling's eponymous production company Spelling Television holds the record as the most prolific television writer, with 218 producer and executive producer credits...
and initially aired on the FOX
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
television network in the United States. After this series became a worldwide success in 1991, Star expanded the franchise with 1992's Melrose Place, a drama about young adults in L.A.
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
which would also grow into a famous hit. The third series, Models Inc., aired from June 1994 to March 1995.
The fourth entry, simply titled 90210, was the first show in the franchise to not debut on FOX in the United States. Developed by Rob Thomas
Rob Thomas (writer)
Rob Thomas is an American author, producer, and screenwriter, best known as the author of the 1996 novel Rats Saw God and creator of the critically acclaimed television programs Veronica Mars and Party Down.-Education and early career:Thomas graduated from San Marcos High School in 1983 and went...
, Gabe Sachs
Gabe Sachs
Gabe Sachs has been a writer/producer for a number of primetime television shows including Freaks & Geeks, Just Shoot Me, Undeclared, Life As We Know It, 90210 and What About Brian.- Life and career :...
, and Jeff Judah
Jeff Judah
Jeff Judah is one of the creators of ABC's TV series Life As We Know It along with Gabe Sachs. He screenwrote the film Diary of a Wimpy Kid, released on March 19, 2010.-External links:...
, the series premiered on The CW Television Network
The CW Television Network
The CW Television Network is a television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006–2007 television season. It is a joint venture between CBS Corporation, the former owners of United Paramount Network , and Time Warner's Warner Bros., former majority owner of The WB...
on September 2, 2008. On September 8, 2009, the fifth series, a follow-up to Melrose Place, also debuted on The CW, and concluded in April 2010.
The franchise has been generally well-received among young audiences. Several of its actors have gone on to additional success in other areas, while some have returned to portray their roles again in spin-offs. As a result, many characters have appeared in multiple shows throughout the continuity.
Production
While planning a new teen drama in 1989–1990, FOX learned of Darren Star's interest in writing youth-oriented screenplays. Upon being hired by the network, Star created the concept and characters for the series that would eventually become Beverly Hills, 90210. The unexpected worldwide success of this project, as well as that of the spin-off Melrose Place, was largely credited with launching Star's career, while bringing early fortune to FOX in the process.Aaron Spelling, whose company produced the shows, was well-known for producing some of the most famous series on television, including Dynasty
Dynasty (TV series)
Dynasty is an American prime time television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 12, 1981 to May 11, 1989. It was created by Richard & Esther Shapiro and produced by Aaron Spelling, and revolved around the Carringtons, a wealthy oil family living in Denver, Colorado...
and The Love Boat
The Love Boat
The Love Boat is an American television series set on a cruise ship, which aired on the ABC Television Network from September 24,1977, until May 24,1986.The show starred Gavin MacLeod as the ship's captain...
. Spelling would also produce the next show in the franchise, Models Inc., in 1994.
Melrose Place was initially inspired by Star's own professional aspirations during his 20s, while Models Inc. was born when FOX asked Spelling for an eight-part summer series. When ratings proved adequate, the show continued throughout the following television season. Models Inc. concluded in 1995, Melrose Place finished in 1999, and Beverly Hills, 90210 ended in 2000.
In 2008, the franchise returned via the fourth production, 90210, attracting a new collection of noted creators. Rob Thomas, known for the television show Veronica Mars
Veronica Mars
Veronica Mars is an American television series created by Rob Thomas. The series premiered on September 22, 2004, during television network UPN's final two years, and ended on May 22, 2007, after a season on UPN's successor, The CW Television Network. Veronica Mars was produced by Warner Bros...
, began the initial work on the project. Prior to the premiere, Thomas was succeeded by producers Jeff Judah and Gabe Sachs, both known for the series Freaks and Geeks
Freaks and Geeks
Freaks and Geeks is an American teen comedy-drama television series, created by Paul Feig and executive produced by Judd Apatow, that aired on NBC during the 1999–2000 television season...
and Undeclared
Undeclared
Undeclared is an American sitcom that aired on Fox during the 2001–02 season.- Premise :The half-hour comedy was Judd Apatow's follow-up to his earlier television series Freaks and Geeks, which also lasted for one season...
. During the first season, Rebecca Sinclair
Rebecca Rand Kirshner
Rebecca Sinclair is a writer and producer for American television. Currently, she is the showrunner for the television series 90210. She served as co-executive producer on the CW series Gilmore Girls and as a writer on Freaks and Geeks, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Las Vegas. She lives in Los...
, who had previously worked on Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls is an American family comedy-drama series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel. On October 5, 2000, the series debuted on The WB and was cancelled in its seventh season, ending on May 15, 2007 on The CW...
and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, became the series' new show runner. In June 2009, a fifth production, an updated version of Melrose Place, was officially confirmed.
Writers
EmmyEmmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
-nominated scribe Charles Rosin
Charles Rosin
Charles Scott Rosin is an screenwriter and producer who has written for television since the late '70s.-Career:Rosin is best known for his work as writer/executive producer on the television series Beverly Hills, 90210 throughout the first 144 episodes/five seasons of the show, from 1990-1995...
joined Beverly Hills, 90210 in its first year and served as a writer and executive producer, scripting several episodes in seasons to come along with his wife Karen. Other prominent writers of the first series included John Eisendrath and Steve Wasserman.
Charles Pratt, Jr.
Charles Pratt, Jr.
Charles Pratt, Jr. is an American television writer, producer and director.-Daytime Soap Positions held:All My Children *Head Writer: August, 2008 - November, 2009...
and Frank South worked closely with Darren Star in writing early seasons of Melrose Place, helping to set the tone of the series as it grew in popularity. Pratt and South would then create the similarly toned Models Inc. Rebecca Sinclair wrote for 90210 during the first season prior to her promotion.
Casting
Throughout its run, the franchise has attracted several established actors, while bringing fame to others and the roles which they have portrayed. The narrative's most widely seen character is Jennie GarthJennie Garth
Jennifer Eve "Jennie" Garth is an American actress and director, best known for starring in the prominent role of Kelly Taylor throughout the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise...
's Kelly Taylor
Kelly Taylor (90210)
Kelly Taylor, portrayed by Jennie Garth, is a fictional character who was the female lead of Beverly Hills, 90210 for the majority of the show's duration. Initially presented as a "spoiled teen vixen", the role was gradually expanded by producers...
, who was instrumental in launching two spin-offs, and has been used in the most episodes throughout the continuity. Also made famous via the first program was male lead Jason Priestley
Jason Priestley
Jason Bradford Priestley is a Canadian-American actor and director. He is best known as the virtuous Brandon Walsh on the television series Beverly Hills, 90210, a role which catapulted him to recognition in the early 1990s....
, who earned Golden Globe
Golden Globe Award
The Golden Globe Award is an accolade bestowed by the 93 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association recognizing excellence in film and television, both domestic and foreign...
nominations and began a directorial career via the series, and actor Luke Perry
Luke Perry
Luke Perry is an American actor. Perry starred as Dylan McKay on the TV series Beverly Hills, 90210, a role he played from 1990–95, and then from 1998–2000. Much publicity was garnered over the fact that even though he was playing a sixteen-year-old when 90210 began, Perry was actually in his...
, who won acclaim and drew comparisons to James Dean
James Dean
James Byron Dean was an American film actor. He is a cultural icon, best embodied in the title of his most celebrated film, Rebel Without a Cause , in which he starred as troubled Los Angeles teenager Jim Stark...
. The first series brought fame to several other cast members as well.
Melrose Place featured former Dynasty and T.J. Hooker star Heather Locklear
Heather Locklear
Heather Deen Locklear is an American actress best known for her television roles as Sammy Jo Carrington on Dynasty, Officer Stacy Sheridan on T.J...
, whose performance has been called one of the most prominent of the show, and also starred former child actress Alyssa Milano
Alyssa Milano
Alyssa Jayne Milano is an American actress and former singer, known for her childhood role as Samantha Micelli in the sitcom Who's the Boss? and an eight-year stint as Phoebe Halliwell on the series Charmed. She was also a series regular on the original Melrose Place portraying the role of...
. Models Inc. featured former Dallas
Dallas (TV series)
Dallas is an American serial drama/prime time soap opera that revolves around the Ewings, a wealthy Texas family in the oil and cattle-ranching industries. Throughout the series, Larry Hagman stars as greedy, scheming oil baron J. R. Ewing...
actress Linda Gray
Linda Gray
Linda Ann Gray is an American actress, best known for her role as Sue Ellen Ewing on the television prime-time soap opera Dallas.-Career:Prior to acting, Gray began working as a model in the 1960s...
, and later added Dynasty veteran Emma Samms
Emma Samms
Emma Samms is a British television actress best known for her role as Holly Sutton on the American daytime soap opera General Hospital and for replacing Pamela Sue Martin as Fallon Carrington Colby on the primetime soap opera Dynasty.-Early life:Samms was born in Willesden, London, England, the...
. In addition, several actors known for their work in American daytime television
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
—including Kristian Alfonso
Kristian Alfonso
Kristian-Joy Alfonso is a long-time American dramatic actress, former figure skater and fashion model. She is best known for playing Hope Williams Brady, which she has played since 1983 on the long-running NBC dramatic serial Days of our Lives.- Early career :She began her career as a figure...
, Stephen Nichols
Stephen Nichols
Stephen Nichols is an American actor, most notable for his roles on American daytime soap operas. He played the part of Steve Johnson on NBCs Days of our Lives from 1985-1990; after that, he had a stint on ABC's General Hospital as Stefan Cassadine from 1996-2003...
, Jack Wagner
Jack Wagner
Jack Wagner may refer to:*Jack Wagner *Jack Wagner , an announcer for Disney theme parks*Jack Wagner , from The Bold and the Beautiful...
, and Vanessa Marcil
Vanessa Marcil
Vanessa Marcil is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Brenda Barrett Corinthos on General Hospital, Gina Kincaid on Beverly Hills, 90210 and Sam Marquez on Las Vegas....
—have made appearances in the franchise.
In 2009, singer-actress Ashlee Simpson-Wentz
Ashlee Simpson
Ashlee Nicole Simpson is an American singer and actress. In 2004, she rose to prominence with the success of her number-one debut album Autobiography and the reality series, The Ashlee Simpson Show. In October 2005, following a North American concert tour and a film appearance, Simpson released...
joined the proposed fifth series
Melrose Place (2009 TV series)
Melrose Place is an American television series broadcast on The CW Television Network from September 8, 2009 to April 13, 2010. The fifth series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise, it is an updated version of the 1990s Fox prime time drama of the same name, featuring a group of young adults...
of the continuity, a follow-up to Melrose Place as Violet Foster
Violet Foster
Violet Foster is a fictional character in the American television series Melrose Place, the fifth series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise and a revival of the 1992 series of the same name...
. It was later announced that Laura Leighton
Laura Leighton
Laura Leighton is an American actress. She is best-known for the role of Sydney Andrews, introduced in the 1990s television series Melrose Place. She reprised the role in the 2009 series of the same name...
would reprise her role as Sydney Andrews
Sydney Andrews
Sydney Andrews is a fictional character in the American television series Melrose Place and the 2009 series of the same name, portrayed by Laura Leighton....
(despite the character having apparently died during the original series), who was recognized by The Hollywood Reporter
The Hollywood Reporter
Formerly a daily trade magazine, The Hollywood Reporter re-launched in late 2010 as a unique hybrid publication serving the entertainment industry and a consumer audience...
as "one of the most popular characters" from the previous show. Friday Night Lights
Friday Night Lights (TV series)
Friday Night Lights is an American sports drama television series adapted by Peter Berg, Brian Grazer and David Nevins from a book and film of the same name. The series details events surrounding a high school football team based in fictional Dillon, Texas, with particular focus given to team...
actress Aimee Teegarden
Aimee Teegarden
Aimee Richelle Teegarden is an American actress. She starred as Julie Taylor in the NBC series Friday Night Lights, Jenny Randall in the horror film Scream 4, and Nova Prescott in the Disney film Prom.-Career:...
appeared in the fourth series, 90210, during its first season. Additionally, 90210
Sara Foster
Sara Christine Foster is an American actress. She was previously a fashion model before moving to the film industry. She is best known for her role as Jen Clark on 90210.-Career:...
and Shenae Grimes
Shenae Grimes
Shenae Grimes is a Canadian actress. She currently portrays the role of Annie Wilson on 90210, a spinoff of Beverly Hills, 90210. Prior to that she played Darcy Edwards on Degrassi: The Next Generation...
have revealed that they were fans of the original show while growing up.
Several actors have gone on to additional fame following their work in the franchise. Marcia Cross
Marcia Cross
Marcia Anne Cross is an American actress. She is known for her television roles as Bree Van de Kamp on the ABC comedy-drama series Desperate Housewives, and as Dr...
, who would later star in Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives is an American television comedy-drama series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions. Executive producer Cherry serves as Showrunner. Other executive producers since the fourth season include Marc Cherry, Bob Daily, George W...
, played Kimberly Shaw in the original Melrose Place from its first season until its fifth. Kristin Davis
Kristin Davis
Kristin Landen Davis is an American actress.She first rose to prominence and achieved fame for playing the role of Charlotte York Goldenblatt on HBO's Sex and the City. She has achieved success appearing in roles in film and television.-Early life and education:Davis was born in Boulder, Colorado...
joined Melrose Place in 1995, and starred afterward in the HBO series Sex and the City
Sex and the City
Sex and the City is an American television comedy-drama series created by Darren Star and produced by HBO. Broadcast from 1998 until 2004, the original run of the show had a total of ninety-four episodes...
. Additionally, Kelly Rutherford
Kelly Rutherford
Kelly Danne Melissa Rutherford is an American actress known for her roles of Stephanie "Sam" Whitmore on Generations, Megan Lewis on Melrose Place from 1996 to 1999 and currently as Lily van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl...
, later known for the series Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl is an American young adult novel series written by Cecily von Ziegesar and published by Little, Brown and Company, a subsidiary of the Hachette Group. The series revolves around the lives and romances of the privileged teenagers at the Constance Billard School for Girls, an elite...
, joined MP in 1996, remaining with the show until its 1999 conclusion. Carrie-Anne Moss
Carrie-Anne Moss
-External links:...
, of The Matrix
The Matrix
The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction-action film written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, and Hugo Weaving...
fame, starred in Models Inc. throughout its duration.
Dean Cain
Dean Cain
Dean Cain is an American actor. He is most widely known for his role as Clark Kent/Superman in the popular American television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.-Early life:...
, who would go on to star in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman was a live-action American television series based on the Superman comic books...
, appeared in Beverly Hills, 90210 during 1992, while Eddie Cibrian
Eddie Cibrian
Edward Carl "Eddie" Cibrian is an American actor. He is known for his television roles as Cole Deschanel on Sunset Beach, Jesse Cardoza in CSI: Miami, Jimmy Doherty on Third Watch and Russell Varon in Invasion.-Early life and career:...
, later known for his role in Third Watch
Third Watch
Third Watch is an American television drama series which first aired on NBC from 1999 to 2005 for a total of 132 episodes, broadcast in 6 seasons of 22 episodes each....
, guest-starred in 1996. Vivica A. Fox
Vivica A. Fox
Vivica Anjanetta Fox is an American actress and television producer. She is best known for her roles in the films Independence Day, Set It Off, Soul Food, Why Do Fools Fall In Love,Kill Bill and Juwanna Mann....
, Hilary Swank
Hilary Swank
Hilary Ann Swank is an American actress. Swank's film career began with a small part in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and then a major part in The Next Karate Kid , as Julie Pierce, the first female protégé of sensei Mr. Miyagi...
, Peter Krause
Peter Krause
Peter William Krause is an American film and television actor and film producer. He is perhaps best known for his lead roles as Nate Fisher on Six Feet Under, Adam Braverman on Parenthood, and Casey McCall on Sports Night...
, and David Arquette
David Arquette
David Arquette is an American actor, film director, producer, screenwriter, fashion designer, and occasional professional wrestler. A member of the Arquette acting family, he first became known during the mid 1990s after starring in several Hollywood films, such as the Scream series, Wild Bill and...
all appeared in the first show as well. Actor Kellan Lutz
Kellan Lutz
Kellan Christopher Lutz is an American fashion model, and film and television actor, who is best known for playing Emmett Cullen in the Twilight series.-Early life:...
guest-starred in the fourth series throughout its first season.
Beverly Hills, 90210
Jason Priestley
Jason Bradford Priestley is a Canadian-American actor and director. He is best known as the virtuous Brandon Walsh on the television series Beverly Hills, 90210, a role which catapulted him to recognition in the early 1990s....
), Brenda Walsh (Shannen Doherty
Shannen Doherty
Shannen Maria Doherty is an American actress, producer, author and television director, known for her work as Heather Duke in Heathers , as Brenda Walsh in Beverly Hills, 90210 and its spinoff series 90210, and as Prue Halliwell in Charmed .-Early life and career:Doherty was born in Memphis,...
), Kelly Taylor
Kelly Taylor (90210)
Kelly Taylor, portrayed by Jennie Garth, is a fictional character who was the female lead of Beverly Hills, 90210 for the majority of the show's duration. Initially presented as a "spoiled teen vixen", the role was gradually expanded by producers...
(Jennie Garth
Jennie Garth
Jennifer Eve "Jennie" Garth is an American actress and director, best known for starring in the prominent role of Kelly Taylor throughout the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise...
), Steve Sanders (Ian Ziering
Ian Ziering
Ian Andrew Ziering is an American actor best known for playing Steve Sanders on the television series Beverly Hills, 90210.-Personal life:...
), Andrea Zuckerman (Gabrielle Carteris
Gabrielle Carteris
Gabrielle Anne Carteris is an American actress known for her role as Andrea Zuckerman on the early seasons of the 1990s television series Beverly Hills, 90210.-Personal life:...
), Dylan McKay (Luke Perry
Luke Perry
Luke Perry is an American actor. Perry starred as Dylan McKay on the TV series Beverly Hills, 90210, a role he played from 1990–95, and then from 1998–2000. Much publicity was garnered over the fact that even though he was playing a sixteen-year-old when 90210 began, Perry was actually in his...
), David Silver (Brian Austin Green
Brian Austin Green
Brian Austin Green is an American actor, best known for his portrayal of David Silver on the television series Beverly Hills, 90210, a role he played from 1990 to 2000. Green also starred in the sitcom Freddie and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Since 2009, he has appeared in a recurring...
), Scott Scanlon (Douglas Emerson
Douglas Emerson
Douglas Emerson is an American former child actor who played Scott Scanlon on Beverly Hills, 90210 in the show's first and second seasons and played Eddie Beckner in The Blob....
), and Donna Martin (Tori Spelling
Tori Spelling
Victoria Davey "Tori" Spelling is an American actress. Spelling became known in the early 1990s for her role as Donna Martin on Beverly Hills, 90210. Spelling then had roles in a string of made-for-television films, such as A Friend to Die For and Mother, May I Sleep with Danger?...
). As the series progressed, several other characters were introduced at varying points.
Originally, the series centered around the culture shock
Culture shock
Culture shock is the anxiety, feelings of frustration, alienation and anger that may occur when a person is emplaced in a new culture.One of the most common causes of culture shock involves individuals in a foreign country. Culture shock can be described as consisting of one or more distinct phases...
of twins Brandon and Brenda as they adjusted to the new experiences and friends that awaited them upon their family's move to Beverly Hills. As the show progressed, however, it gradually became more of an ensemble cast
Ensemble cast
An ensemble cast is made up of cast members in which the principal actors and performers are assigned roughly equal amounts of importance and screen time in a dramatic production. This kind of casting became more popular in television series because it allows flexibility for writers to focus on...
drama, with equal attention given to the familial issues, academic matters, career aspirations, and romantic concerns of the other characters. One of the series' early focal points involved a briefly forbidden Brenda-Dylan relationship—along with a subsequent triangle involving Kelly. Other prominent stories included the beginning of a long relationship between Brandon and Kelly, a similar bond between Donna and David, and a rally organized on Donna's behalf in order to overturn a school ruling against her.
Toward the end of the second season, the character Jake Hanson—a tough but mellow biker who served as an older friend and mentor to Dylan—briefly arrived for a construction job at Kelly's house. The subsequent attraction that developed between a resistant Jake (Grant Show
Grant Show
Grant Alan Show is an American actor best known for his role on Melrose Place as Jake Hanson, which he played from 1992 to 1997.-Early life:...
) and a willing Kelly led into the second series of the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise.
Melrose Place
Originally conceived as a fairly straight-faced drama about the personal and professional lives of people in their twenties and early thirties, Melrose Place began to change with the arrival of testy Amanda Woodward (Heather Locklear
Heather Locklear
Heather Deen Locklear is an American actress best known for her television roles as Sammy Jo Carrington on Dynasty, Officer Stacy Sheridan on T.J...
), whose conflicts with the generally strait-laced Alison (Courtney Thorne-Smith
Courtney Thorne-Smith
Courtney Thorne-Smith is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Alison Parker on Melrose Place, Georgia Thomas on Ally McBeal, and Cheryl Mabel in According to Jim, as well as her recurring role in Two and a Half Men as Lyndsey McElroy.-Early life:She was born in San Francisco,...
) over Alison's roommate Billy (Andrew Shue
Andrew Shue
Andrew Eppley Shue is an American actor, known for his role as Billy Campbell on the television series Melrose Place . He is currently on the Board of Directors for Do Something and is the co-founder of the social networking website CafeMom.-Early life:Shue was born in Wilmington, Delaware...
) quickly became the show's centerpiece. Also focused upon was the adulterous relationship between Dr. Michael Mancini (Thomas Calabro
Thomas Calabro
Thomas F. Calabro is an American actor and director.-Biography:Calabro graduated from Fordham University in New York City.Calabro began his acting career in theatre with various roles in New York...
) and his colleague Kimberly Shaw (Marcia Cross
Marcia Cross
Marcia Anne Cross is an American actress. She is known for her television roles as Bree Van de Kamp on the ABC comedy-drama series Desperate Housewives, and as Dr...
), which was eventually discovered by Michael's wife Jane (Josie Bissett
Josie Bissett
Josie Bissett is the stage name of Jolyn Christine Heutmaker , an American actress best known for her role as Jane Mancini on the television series Melrose Place.-Early life :...
). The first season also introduced Jane's sister Sydney
Sydney Andrews
Sydney Andrews is a fictional character in the American television series Melrose Place and the 2009 series of the same name, portrayed by Laura Leighton....
(Laura Leighton
Laura Leighton
Laura Leighton is an American actress. She is best-known for the role of Sydney Andrews, introduced in the 1990s television series Melrose Place. She reprised the role in the 2009 series of the same name...
), an occasional vixen, who would become one of the most layered and prominent characters of the series.
With the progression of the second season—which was highlighted by divorce
Divorce
Divorce is the final termination of a marital union, canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and dissolving the bonds of matrimony between the parties...
, blackmail
Blackmail
In common usage, blackmail is a crime involving threats to reveal substantially true or false information about a person to the public, a family member, or associates unless a demand is met. It may be defined as coercion involving threats of physical harm, threat of criminal prosecution, or threats...
, revenge
Revenge
Revenge is a harmful action against a person or group in response to a grievance, be it real or perceived. It is also called payback, retribution, retaliation or vengeance; it may be characterized, justly or unjustly, as a form of justice.-Function in society:Some societies believe that the...
, character revamps, and much angst
Angst
Angst is an English, German, Danish, Norwegian and Dutch word for fear or anxiety . It is used in English to describe an intense feeling of apprehension, anxiety or inner turmoil...
between couples—the show had begun to secure a reputation for darker, more extraordinary story lines. This kind of writing would become standard for the series throughout the remainder of its run.
Toward the end of season 2, a somewhat mellowed Amanda was reunited with her long-estranged mother Hillary (Linda Gray
Linda Gray
Linda Ann Gray is an American actress, best known for her role as Sue Ellen Ewing on the television prime-time soap opera Dallas.-Career:Prior to acting, Gray began working as a model in the 1960s...
), the owner of a modeling agency. This development would provide a foundation for the franchise's third story.
Models Inc.
Brian Gaskill
Brian Richard Gaskill is an American actor.While living in Neptune, he attended Red Bank Regional High School as a drama major in the school's prestigious Academy of Visual and Performing Arts. And went on to receive his B.F.A...
), the loyal, valiant, and occasionally hot-headed vice president of the company. At the beginning of the first episode, actors Grant Show and Daphne Zuniga
Daphne Zuniga
Daphne Eurydice Zuniga is an American actress known for her roles as Jo Reynolds on the Fox primetime soap Melrose Place, as Victoria Davis on The CW teen drama One Tree Hill and as Princess Vespa in Spaceballs.-Early life:...
briefly appeared as their Melrose Place characters, seeing off a young model named Sarah Owens (Cassidy Rae
Cassidy Rae
Cassidy Rae, born 7 June 1976 in Clermont, Florida, is a former American actress. She starred in the made-for-television movie Crowned and Dangerous with Yasmine Bleeth in 1997....
) as she headed to the agency.
Unlike the previous two shows in the continuity, Models Inc. did not experience any significant changes in character focus or tone—choosing, instead, to explore the ensemble cast from the start and immediately present the kind of story lines that had made Melrose Place famous. The initial focus of the series was a mystery surrounding the murder of model Teri Spencer (Stephanie Romanov
Stephanie Romanov
Stephanie A. Romanov is an American model and actress, best known for playing Lilah Morgan on Angel.-Career:She first began modeling in Europe and was discovered at 15 by Elite Model Management founder, John Casablancas. Her first professional modeling job was in Europe, shooting fashion layouts...
), who'd announced her intentions to leave the agency. For a number of episodes throughout the first story arc, suspects included Hillary, Teri's ex-boyfriend Brian (Cameron Daddo
Cameron Daddo
Cameron Peter Daddo is an Australian actor, musician and presenter. He is the brother of Andrew Daddo and Lochie Daddo.-Australian television:...
), Teri's rival Julie (Kylie Travis
Kylie Travis
Kylie Travis is an Australian actress.Travis was born in London, England; her family moved to Australia shortly afterward. She modelled for various agencies in Paris, London, and New York before taking up acting. Her first major role was in the Aaron Spelling TV series Models Inc where she played...
), and Teri's own sister Carrie (Carrie-Anne Moss
Carrie-Anne Moss
-External links:...
). Once the killer was revealed, the characters moved on, with their focus switching to the arrival of Stephanie Romanov's new character Monique, a model who was a nearly dead ringer for Teri. The remainder of the series largely centered around the models' growing relationships with their boyfriends and each other, while also dealing with the issues of substance abuse and the pressures of the business. Primary antagonists included several figures from the past—including a stalker, a jealous sister, and Grayson (Emma Samms
Emma Samms
Emma Samms is a British television actress best known for her role as Holly Sutton on the American daytime soap opera General Hospital and for replacing Pamela Sue Martin as Fallon Carrington Colby on the primetime soap opera Dynasty.-Early life:Samms was born in Willesden, London, England, the...
), the cunning and powerful ex-wife of Monique's fiance.
The series was canceled in March 1995. Jake Hanson, who was originally introduced in the continuity's first show, was the only character to appear in both Beverly Hills, 90210 and Models Inc.
90210
CBS Paramount Network Television
CBS Paramount Network Television was the main production arm of CBS Paramount Television, a division of CBS Corporation. It was known as Paramount Network Television and CBS Productions until 2006.It is now CBS Television Studios, starting in fall 2009....
. The series introduces two siblings—Annie and Dixon Wilson (Dixon is adopted), played by Shenae Grimes
Shenae Grimes
Shenae Grimes is a Canadian actress. She currently portrays the role of Annie Wilson on 90210, a spinoff of Beverly Hills, 90210. Prior to that she played Darcy Edwards on Degrassi: The Next Generation...
and Tristan Wilds
Tristan Wilds
Tristan Paul Mack Wilds is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Michael Lee on the HBO original drama series The Wire and as Dixon Wilson on the CW drama series 90210.-Life and career:...
—who move to Beverly Hills with their family and enroll in West Beverly High. Like Brandon and Brenda 18 years before, Dixon and Annie meet several new friends who compose the rest of the cast, including Erin Silver (Jessica Stroup
Jessica Stroup
Jessica Leigh Stroup is an American actress and fashion model. Stroup is best known for her role as Erin Silver on The CW television series 90210, a spin-off to the original Beverly Hills, 90210...
), the half-sister of David and Kelly from the original series. The character Naomi Clark
Naomi Clark
Naomi Clark, played by AnnaLynne McCord, is a fictional character from the CW primetime drama 90210, the fourth series of the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise...
(AnnaLynne McCord
AnnaLynne McCord
AnnaLynne McCord is an American actress. Known for playing a range of vixen-type roles, McCord first gained prominence in 2007 as the scheming Eden Lord on the FX television series Nip/Tuck, and as the pampered Loren Wakefield on the MyNetworkTV telenovela American Heiress...
) gained significant media attention throughout the first season, and was given increased focus at the onset of the second.
Among the returning characters is Kelly Taylor, who has appeared in a recurring role while serving as a guidance counselor at the school. Brenda Walsh also returned in a recurring part, reuniting with Kelly and directing a school musical. Donna Martin returned as well, coming back to Beverly Hills from Japan, where she worked as a fashion designer. In addition, Joe E. Tata
Joe E. Tata
Joe E. Tata is an American television actor. He is known for his regular role as Nat Busschio, the owner and operator of the Peach Pit diner, in the TV series Beverly Hills, 90210...
has made guest appearances, reprising his role of Nat Bussichio, owner of the Peach Pit coffee house where Dixon works.
Melrose Place (2009)
Todd Slavkin
Todd Slavkin is an American screenwriter and producer, most famous for working on the American television program Smallville. As of October 6, 2006 he has written or co-written 18 episodes of Smallville.- Smallville :*Writer...
and Darren Swimmer
Darren Swimmer
Darren Swimmer is an American screenwriter and producer, most famous for working on the American television program Smallville. As of October 6, 2006 he has written or co-written 18 episodes of Smallville.-Smallville:*Writer...
were installed as showrunners of a Melrose Place spin-off, which used the same title as the previous show. The series premiered on September 8, 2009. Ashlee Simpson-Wentz
Ashlee Simpson
Ashlee Nicole Simpson is an American singer and actress. In 2004, she rose to prominence with the success of her number-one debut album Autobiography and the reality series, The Ashlee Simpson Show. In October 2005, following a North American concert tour and a film appearance, Simpson released...
, Shaun Sipos
Shaun Sipos
Shaun Sipos is a Canadian actor. Sipos is perhaps best known for playing David Breck on The CW series Melrose Place.-Career:...
, Jessica Lucas
Jessica Lucas
Jessica Lucas is a Canadian actress. She is perhaps best known for her roles in Melrose Place, She's the Man and Cloverfield.-Early life:...
, Stephanie Jacobsen, Katie Cassidy
Katie Cassidy
Katherine Evelyn Anita "Katie" Cassidy is an American actress who has performed in The CW TV series Melrose Place, Supernatural, Harper's Island, and Gossip Girl, and on the films When a Stranger Calls, Black Christmas, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Taken, Monte Carlo, and has roles in the upcoming...
, Michael Rady
Michael Rady
Michael Rady is an American actor. He was born in Philadelphia and went to the St. Joseph's Prep, a Jesuit prep school in Philadelphia, well known for its excellent theatre program....
, and Colin Egglesfield
Colin Egglesfield
Colin Egglesfield is an American actor. He is best known for his portrayal as Dr. Josh Madden in the long-running soap opera All My Children, as well as Auggie Kirkpatrick in The CW's short-lived teen drama Melrose Place....
were cast in regular roles. Throughout 2009, it was also revealed that Laura Leighton
Laura Leighton
Laura Leighton is an American actress. She is best-known for the role of Sydney Andrews, introduced in the 1990s television series Melrose Place. She reprised the role in the 2009 series of the same name...
, Thomas Calabro
Thomas Calabro
Thomas F. Calabro is an American actor and director.-Biography:Calabro graduated from Fordham University in New York City.Calabro began his acting career in theatre with various roles in New York...
, Josie Bissett
Josie Bissett
Josie Bissett is the stage name of Jolyn Christine Heutmaker , an American actress best known for her role as Jane Mancini on the television series Melrose Place.-Early life :...
, Daphne Zuniga
Daphne Zuniga
Daphne Eurydice Zuniga is an American actress known for her roles as Jo Reynolds on the Fox primetime soap Melrose Place, as Victoria Davis on The CW teen drama One Tree Hill and as Princess Vespa in Spaceballs.-Early life:...
, and Heather Locklear
Heather Locklear
Heather Deen Locklear is an American actress best known for her television roles as Sammy Jo Carrington on Dynasty, Officer Stacy Sheridan on T.J...
would make appearances as their characters from the original series. The show was officially canceled in May 2010.
Actors with multiple roles
Several actors have portrayed more than one character throughout the continuity, many of them appearing as regulars on one series and as guest stars on another. In some cases, a performer has appeared in different roles on the same show.| Actor | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Melrose Place | Models Inc. | 90210 | Melrose Place (2009) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linden Ashby Linden Ashby Clarence Linden Garnett Ashby III , best known as Linden Ashby, is an American actor and martial artist.-Early life:... |
Charles Reynolds Brett Cooper |
||||
| Rob Estes Rob Estes Robert Estes is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Harry Wilson on the Teen drama 90210, as Sgt. Chris Lorenzo on the Crime drama Silk Stalkings, and as Kyle McBride on the Primetime Soap opera Melrose Place.-Career:Estes first became interested in an acting career while training... |
Sam Towler Kyle McBride |
Harry Wilson | |||
| Nancy Lee Grahn Nancy Lee Grahn Nancy Lee Grahn is an American actress who has starred in such soap operas as Santa Barbara as Julia Wainwright Capwell from 1985 to 1993 and General Hospital as Alexis Davis since 1996.- Early life and career :... |
Denise Fielding | Detective Towers | |||
| Linda Gray Linda Gray Linda Ann Gray is an American actress, best known for her role as Sue Ellen Ewing on the television prime-time soap opera Dallas.-Career:Prior to acting, Gray began working as a model in the 1960s... |
Hillary Michaels* | Victoria Brewer | |||
| James Handy | Tom Rose | Matt Fielding, Sr. | |||
| Teresa Hill Teresa Hill Teresa Hill is an American actress and interior designer.She played Nemesis in the 1995-1999 television series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.-External links:* * *... |
Claire Duncan | Linda Holden | |||
| Stanley Kamel Stanley Kamel Stanley Kamel was an American actor, best known for his role as Dr. Charles Kroger on the American television series Monk.-Biography:... |
Anthony Marchette | Bruce Teller | |||
| Brooke Langton Brooke Langton Brooke Langton is an American actress. She is best known for the role of Samantha Reilly on the original Melrose Place.-Personal life:... |
Suds Lipton | Samantha Reilly | |||
| Laura Leighton Laura Leighton Laura Leighton is an American actress. She is best-known for the role of Sydney Andrews, introduced in the 1990s television series Melrose Place. She reprised the role in the 2009 series of the same name... |
Sophie Burns | Sydney Andrews Sydney Andrews Sydney Andrews is a fictional character in the American television series Melrose Place and the 2009 series of the same name, portrayed by Laura Leighton.... * |
|||
| Jessica Lucas Jessica Lucas Jessica Lucas is a Canadian actress. She is perhaps best known for her roles in Melrose Place, She's the Man and Cloverfield.-Early life:... |
Kimberly MacIntyre | Riley Richmond | |||
| Claudette Nevins | Vivian Carson | Constance Fielding | |||
| John Haymes Newton John Haymes Newton John Newton is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his regular roles on the television programs Superboy as Clark Kent in the show's first season and as Ryan McBride on the original Melrose Place.-Career:... |
Ryan McBride | Mark Warriner | |||
| John Reilly John Reilly John Reilly may refer to:*John Reilly , Irish traveller and source singer*John Reilly , American lawyer, author and businessman*John Reilly , U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania... |
Bill Taylor | Mack McBride | |||
| Stephanie Romanov Stephanie Romanov Stephanie A. Romanov is an American model and actress, best known for playing Lilah Morgan on Angel.-Career:She first began modeling in Europe and was discovered at 15 by Elite Model Management founder, John Casablancas. Her first professional modeling job was in Europe, shooting fashion layouts... |
Teri Spencer* Monique Duran |
||||
| Lonnie Schuyler | Alan Ross | Ben Singer | |||
| Greg Vaughan Greg Vaughan James Gregory Vaughan, Jr is an American actor.-Personal life:Vaughan is the son of James Gregory Vaughan, Sr., and Barbara Ann Alt. Greg has Greek & Native American ancestry.... |
Cliff Yeager | Kai | |||
| James Wilder | Reed Carter | Adam Louder |
Characters with multiple appearances
The following characters appear in multiple series.| Character | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Melrose Place | Models Inc. | 90210 | Melrose Place (2009) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney Andrews Sydney Andrews Sydney Andrews is a fictional character in the American television series Melrose Place and the 2009 series of the same name, portrayed by Laura Leighton.... |
|||||
| Nat Bussichio Characters of Beverly Hills, 90210 The following is a list of characters from the first series of the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise.-Main cast:*Jennie Garth portrays Kelly Taylor, the gradual main character who appears throughout the entirety of the series , maturing from "spoiled teen vixen to grounded 25-year-old." Kelly endured... |
|||||
| Jake Hanson | |||||
| Jane Mancini | |||||
| Michael Mancini | |||||
| Donna Martin Characters of Beverly Hills, 90210 The following is a list of characters from the first series of the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise.-Main cast:*Jennie Garth portrays Kelly Taylor, the gradual main character who appears throughout the entirety of the series , maturing from "spoiled teen vixen to grounded 25-year-old." Kelly endured... |
|||||
| Hillary Michaels | |||||
| Sarah Owens | |||||
| Jo Reynolds | |||||
| Steve Sanders Characters of Beverly Hills, 90210 The following is a list of characters from the first series of the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise.-Main cast:*Jennie Garth portrays Kelly Taylor, the gradual main character who appears throughout the entirety of the series , maturing from "spoiled teen vixen to grounded 25-year-old." Kelly endured... |
|||||
| David Silver Characters of Beverly Hills, 90210 The following is a list of characters from the first series of the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise.-Main cast:*Jennie Garth portrays Kelly Taylor, the gradual main character who appears throughout the entirety of the series , maturing from "spoiled teen vixen to grounded 25-year-old." Kelly endured... |
|||||
| Erin Silver | |||||
| Teri Spencer | |||||
| Jackie Taylor | |||||
| Kelly Taylor Kelly Taylor (90210) Kelly Taylor, portrayed by Jennie Garth, is a fictional character who was the female lead of Beverly Hills, 90210 for the majority of the show's duration. Initially presented as a "spoiled teen vixen", the role was gradually expanded by producers... |
|||||
| Brenda Walsh Characters of Beverly Hills, 90210 The following is a list of characters from the first series of the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise.-Main cast:*Jennie Garth portrays Kelly Taylor, the gradual main character who appears throughout the entirety of the series , maturing from "spoiled teen vixen to grounded 25-year-old." Kelly endured... |
|||||
| Amanda Woodward | |||||
| Hannah Zuckerman-Vasquez |
Reception
Beverly Hills, 90210 has been called "one of the definitive shows of the 1990s." In a look back at the series, TV GuideTV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
labeled the program "soapy and addictive". In 1994, the series ranked #1 among viewers aged 18–34. The show was nominated for "Best Drama" at the Golden Globe Award
Golden Globe Award
The Golden Globe Award is an accolade bestowed by the 93 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association recognizing excellence in film and television, both domestic and foreign...
s in 1992 and 1993, with Jason Priestley being nominated for "Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series—Drama" in 1993 and 1995.
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
People (magazine)
In 1998, the magazine introduced a version targeted at teens called Teen People. However, on July 27, 2006, the company announced it would shut down publication of Teen People immediately. The last issue to be released was scheduled for September 2006. Subscribers to this magazine received...
magazine labeling it a "compulsively watchable, high-trash hit." Locklear and Laura Leighton were nominated for Golden Globe Awards in 1994, with Locklear receiving additional nominations from 1995 through 1997.
In his review of Models Inc., Ken Tucker claimed that the show was "trying much too hard to match Melrose for self-consciously outrageous campiness." However, he commended the work of Kylie Travis
Kylie Travis
Kylie Travis is an Australian actress.Travis was born in London, England; her family moved to Australia shortly afterward. She modelled for various agencies in Paris, London, and New York before taking up acting. Her first major role was in the Aaron Spelling TV series Models Inc where she played...
as vixen Julie Dante. Entertainment Weekly also screened the series in front of young real-life models, who concluded that the show was unrealistic but addictive. The series ended in 1995, but later aired an alternate ending during a rebroadcast of the finale, bringing closure to the story lines.
At the time of its premiere, 90210, which marked a return for the franchise following an eight-year absence, became the highest-rated scripted debut in the history of The CW network. In the midst of its first season, the show was nominated for "Favorite New Drama" at the 2009 People's Choice Awards. Upon the completion of season 1, the show received additional nominations from the Teen Choice Awards
Teen Choice Awards
The Teen Choice Awards, are an annual awards show that air on the Fox cable channel, that honor the year's biggest biggest achievements in music, movies, sports, television, fashion and more, voted by teen viewers aged 14 through 17. Winners receive an authentic full size surfboard designed with...
, including "Breakout Show" and "Choice TV Show: Drama". AnnaLynne McCord
AnnaLynne McCord
AnnaLynne McCord is an American actress. Known for playing a range of vixen-type roles, McCord first gained prominence in 2007 as the scheming Eden Lord on the FX television series Nip/Tuck, and as the pampered Loren Wakefield on the MyNetworkTV telenovela American Heiress...
was nominated for "Breakout Star Female" in the role of Naomi Clark
Naomi Clark
Naomi Clark, played by AnnaLynne McCord, is a fictional character from the CW primetime drama 90210, the fourth series of the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise...
, Tristan Wilds was placed in contention for "Breakout Star Male", and Dustin Milligan
Dustin Milligan
Dustin Wallace Milligan is a Canadian film and television actor known for his role as Ethan Ward on 90210.-Life and career:...
was nominated for "Choice TV Actor: Drama". Additionally, Rob Estes
Rob Estes
Robert Estes is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Harry Wilson on the Teen drama 90210, as Sgt. Chris Lorenzo on the Crime drama Silk Stalkings, and as Kyle McBride on the Primetime Soap opera Melrose Place.-Career:Estes first became interested in an acting career while training...
and Lori Loughlin
Lori Loughlin
Lori Anne Loughlin is an American actress, best known for her role as Rebecca Donaldson-Katsopolis on the ABC sitcom Full House. As of 2011, she portrays the role of Debbie Wilson on 90210, the spin-off of Beverly Hills, 90210...
were nominees for "Choice TV: Parental Unit". The following year, Shenae Grimes
Shenae Grimes
Shenae Grimes is a Canadian actress. She currently portrays the role of Annie Wilson on 90210, a spinoff of Beverly Hills, 90210. Prior to that she played Darcy Edwards on Degrassi: The Next Generation...
was nominated for "Choice TV: Female Scene Stealer". At the 2010 Breakthrough of the Year Awards, AnnaLynne McCord won in the category of "Breakthrough Standout Performance".
On September 2, 2010 (9/02/10), Reuters
Reuters
Reuters is a news agency headquartered in New York City. Until 2008 the Reuters news agency formed part of a British independent company, Reuters Group plc, which was also a provider of financial market data...
.com featured an article on the original series. Via a Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
message the same day, Jennie Garth stated, "Love to the original cast and crew. And the new kids too."