For the CW network, a particular area code is good for business.
90210, the CW’s new modernized version of Beverly Hills, 90210, proved to be ratings gold for the network on Tuesday night.
The two-hour premiere averaged nearly 5 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research estimates. The CW said it was its highest-rated scripted show in its three-year history.
90210 was the night’s number 1 show among 18-to-34-year-olds. CW has been a struggling network since its birth in 2005 and hoped 90210 would be their knight in shining armour. Or in this case, it’s a grown up Brenda Walsh and Kelly Martin, both reprised by Beverly Hills, 90210 alum, Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty.
Canadian actress and former Degrassi star, Shenae Grimes, is part of the new 90210 cast. The second episode airs Tuesday at 8 p.m. EST on CW.
Shannen Doherty says she feels a kinship with her new co-star, Shenae Grimes of “Degreassi: The Next Generation.” The new friends are currently filming the new 90210 series.
“Maybe it’s because her character is similar to how [my character] started out,” Doherty told USA Today. “It’s also because Shenae is smart and she knows what she’s doing, but at the same time there’s a vulnerability there, and I want to put my arms around her and protect her,” Doherty says.
With her past experience, Doherty is happy to be able to guide Grimes through new-found fame.
“The great thing is that she’s smart enough that she’s not going to make the same mistakes I made. But because I made those mistakes, I can help her along the way.”
The evil witch is back!
According to People magazine, Shannen Doherty will be reprising her role as Brenda Walsh on the CW spin-off 90210.
“Shannen is looking forward to returning to 90210,” Doherty’s rep tells the entertainment magazine.
Doherty, who played the twin sister to Jason Priestley’s character Brandon Walsh for four seasons of the original Beverly Hills, 90210, will return as a visiting drama teacher who directs a musical at West Beverly High School when the show premieres Sept. 2.
Other original cast members to reprise their roles are Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling. Spelling was to star in the pilot episode but backed out after giving birth to her daughter in June.
“I’m looking forward to returning to 90210 in a later episode,” Spelling told People earlier this month.
