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The new Beverly Hills, 90210 series is still months away from its premiere, but the drama is already running high.
According to reports, the semi-revival starring Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth, Shannen Doherty, Ian Ziering, Jason Priestly, Brian Austin Green and Gabrielle Carteris, hit a snag when the series’ showrunner Patrick Sean Smith and multiple senior writers quit the show on Thursday, May 16.
While reports are conflicting about the reason for the exits, one suggests that it was over an issue with two of the show’s leading actresses, but another stated it was an issue between the writers and an executive.
Regardless, Garth alluded to the shakeup on social media when she shared a post to celebrate Spelling’s birthday that day. “Happy birthday to my partner and best friend for life. Wow, we’ve been thru some s*#t!” Garth wrote. “And today was no exception! Hope you enjoyed your glamorous birthday dinner!! I love you #tbt #happybirthday.”
After Smith quit, Paul Sciarrotta from the writing staff was named the new showrunner alongside Mike Chessler and Chris Alberghini.
As previously reported, Fox confirmed it was bringing back several of the original Beverly Hills, 90210 stars for a new series, but BH90210 can’t really be called a reboot or a revival because the stars aren’t playing their beloved characters, instead they are playing “heightened versions of themselves.”
“The core cast will all play heightened versions of themselves in a brand-new serialized drama — with a healthy dose of irreverence – that is inspired by their real lives and relationships. Having gone their separate ways since the original series ended 19 years ago, Jason, Jennie, Ian, Gabrielle, Brian and Tori reunite when one of them suggests it’s time to get a Beverly Hills, 90210 reboot up and running. But getting it going may make for an even more delicious soap than the reboot itself. What will happen when first loves, old romances, friends and frenemies come back together, as this iconic cast — whom the whole world watched grow up together — attempts to continue from where they left off?”
BH90210 is set to premiere on Fox Wednesday, August 7, at 9 p.m. ET.