Shannen Doherty ‘Definitely Wasn’t Going to Do’ the ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ Revival – Until Luke Perry’s Death
TCA 2019: “When Luke passed away, things drastically changed for me and I felt like it was a great opportunity to sort of honor him,” “BH90210” star says
Jennifer Maas | August 7, 2019 @ 12:05 PM
Last Updated: August 7, 2019 @ 9:12 PM
CBS TV Studios
“Beverly Hills, 90210” alum Shannen Doherty “definitely” wasn’t on board for “BH90210,” Fox’s meta-revival of the series — and then Luke Perry, who played her on-screen love interest on the original show, died.
“So with me, it was, as these guys know, I definitely wasn’t going to do it,” Doherty told reporters while sitting next to her co-stars during the revival’s panel at Television Critics Association press tour Wednesday. “And nothing against the show, I knew that the show would, you know, get sold and do well with or without me. But they didn’t need me, so it just wasn’t at that moment what I wanted to be doing.”
The six-episode series, which premieres tonight, centers on the original cast — Doherty (who played Brenda Walsh), Gabrielle Carteris (Andrea Zuckerman), Jennie Garth (Kelly Taylor), Brian Austin Green (David Silver), Jason Priestley (Brandon Walsh), Ian Ziering (Steve Sanders) and Tori Spelling (Donna Martin) — playing fictionalized versions of themselves “with a healthy dose of irreverence” as they try to get a revival of their old show off the ground.
At the time of Perry’s (who played Dylan McKay on “90210”) death in March, the actor — who was starring on The CW’s “Riverdale” — was not planning on participating in the project.
“And when Luke passed away, things drastically changed for me and I felt like it was a great opportunity to sort of honor him,” Doherty continued. “And I’m really glad that I made that decision because now I get to sit up here with a lot of people that I respect and I love and we went on this amazing journey together where we also got to really sort of heal through losing somebody who means the world to all of us.”
Paul Sciarrotta and “BH90210” co-creators Chris Alberghini and Mike Chessler are co-showrunners on the series.
“BH90210” series is based on a concept by Alberghini, Chessler, Spelling and Garth. Cast members Carteris, Doherty, Green, Priestley and Ziering will also serve as executive producers.
The original “Beverly Hills, 90210,” created by Darren Star and produced by Tori Spelling’s father, Aaron Spelling, ran for 10 seasons on Fox between 1990 and 2000.
“BH90210” premieres tonight, Wednesday, at 9/8c on Fox.
11 Most Memorable 'Beverly Hills, 90210' Moments: From the Dress Incident to Donna and David's Wedding (Photos)
The meta-revival of "Beverly Hills, 90210" -- dubbed "BH90210" -- premieres Wednesday on Fox. The limited series will see original cast members Tori Spelling (Donna Martin), Brian Austin Green (David Silver), Shannen Doherty (Brenda Walsh), Jason Priestley (Brandon Walsh), Jennie Garth (Kelly Taylor), Ian Ziering (Steve Sanders) and Gabrielle Carteris (Andrea Zuckerman) all return to play fictionalized versions of themselves — “with a healthy dose of irreverence” — as they try to get a revival of their old show off the ground. And because "BH90210" is about bringing back "90210," TheWrap thought the best way to mark the occasion was to remind you of some of the most memorable moments from the original series, including those with the late Luke Perry (Dylan McKay). Click through our gallery to reminisce about the gang who used to hang at the Peach Pit.
When Brenda and Kelly wore the SAME dress to the spring formal. And we got this iconic line: "Brenda, how could you?"
Fox
When everyone makes sure Donna gets to graduate. The school board wasn't going to let her after she got drunk at prom, but the gang didn't stand for that.
Fox
When Valerie replaced Brenda. The show said goodbye to Shannen Doherty and hello to Tiffani Thiessen, who immediately proved she was bad by smoking a joint in the Walshes house.
Fox
David's weird condom jingle. Actually, maybe you don't remember this -- and that's a good thing.
Fox
When Toni dies in the same episode that she marries Dylan. Might be one of the most heartbreaking moments of the entire series.
Fox
David's heartbreaking speech about Scott. David has a break down after his childhood best friend Scott accidentally kills himself and the whole thing is broadcast over the school radio. David says he doesn't care, as he shames himself over the guilt he feels for abandoning his buddy for the cooler crowd.
Fox
When Dylan didn't "do cameras." And made this very clear to David, who was trying to record him.
Fox
When Kelly chooses herself over Dylan and Brandon. And literally says "I choose me," while reminding them she'll always love them both.
Fox
Dylan's dad unexpectedly dies. In the episode titled "Dead End," Dylan's dad, Jack, dies in a car explosion, leading to blood-curdling scream session from a guy who is usually incapable of losing his cool.
Fox
When David walks in on Kelly. A horrifyingly embarrassing moment between on-screen friends if ever there was one.
Fox
Donna and David's wedding. The "90210" series finale gave us these long-awaited nuptials and reunited members of the original cast who came back to celebrate the end of the show -- or what they then thought was the end.
Fox
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“Brenda, how could you?!?”
The meta-revival of "Beverly Hills, 90210" -- dubbed "BH90210" -- premieres Wednesday on Fox. The limited series will see original cast members Tori Spelling (Donna Martin), Brian Austin Green (David Silver), Shannen Doherty (Brenda Walsh), Jason Priestley (Brandon Walsh), Jennie Garth (Kelly Taylor), Ian Ziering (Steve Sanders) and Gabrielle Carteris (Andrea Zuckerman) all return to play fictionalized versions of themselves — “with a healthy dose of irreverence” — as they try to get a revival of their old show off the ground. And because "BH90210" is about bringing back "90210," TheWrap thought the best way to mark the occasion was to remind you of some of the most memorable moments from the original series, including those with the late Luke Perry (Dylan McKay). Click through our gallery to reminisce about the gang who used to hang at the Peach Pit.