The *Beverly Hills, 90210* franchise began with a single teen drama that premiered on FOX in 1990, but its unexpected global success quickly led to an expansion into a multi-series universe. This continuity, which progressed in real time, was the brainchild of creator Darren Star and producer Aaron Spelling, who together laid the groundwork for one of television's most recognizable franchises. The initial series, *Beverly Hills, 90210*, focused on the lives
of young people in the affluent community of Beverly Hills, California, attending the fictional West Beverly Hills High School and later California University.
The Original Series and Its Impact
*Beverly Hills, 90210* debuted on October 4, 1990, and ran until May 17, 2000. It centered on the Walsh twins, Brandon and Brenda, who moved from Wayzata, Minnesota, to Beverly Hills with their parents. The show gained significant traction during a "summer season" special in 1991, which helped it become one of FOX's most popular series. This success transformed cast members like Jason Priestley and Luke Perry into teen idols and made Shannen Doherty, Jennie Garth, and Tori Spelling widely recognized names in American television. The series was nominated for "Best Drama" at the Golden Globe Awards in 1992 and 1993, and by 1994, it was the number one show among viewers aged 18–34.
The show's narrative evolved to address various contemporary youth issues, including date rape, alcoholism, drug abuse, youth suicide, and teenage pregnancy, moving beyond its initial focus on culture shock. This willingness to tackle serious themes contributed to its reputation as a "soapy and addictive" program, as noted by *TV Guide*. The unexpected worldwide success of this project was largely credited with launching Darren Star's career and bringing early fortune to FOX.
Expanding the Universe: Spin-offs and Revivals
Following the success of *Beverly Hills, 90210*, Darren Star expanded the franchise with *Melrose Place* in 1992. This drama shifted focus to young adults in Los Angeles, building on the established continuity. *Melrose Place* was inspired by Star's own professional aspirations during his twenties. The third series, *Models Inc.*, aired from June 1994 to March 1995. This show was created when FOX requested an eight-part summer series from Aaron Spelling, and its adequate ratings led to its continuation through the following television season. *Models Inc.*, produced by Spelling Television and created by Charles Pratt, Jr. and Frank South, explored the lives of models in a titular agency, featuring characters like Hillary and her son David.
The franchise saw further iterations with a fourth entry, simply titled *90210*, which premiered on The CW on September 2, 2008. A fifth series, a follow-up to *Melrose Place*, also debuted on The CW on September 8, 2009, concluding in April 2010. Most recently, a six-episode revival titled *BH90210* was ordered by FOX in February 2019, airing between August and September 2019. This revival featured the original cast members, including Shannen Doherty, Jason Priestley, Jennie Garth, Ian Ziering, Tori Spelling, Brian Austin Green, and Gabrielle Carteris, playing heightened versions of themselves in a meta-narrative inspired by their personal lives and relationships. This approach aimed to create something groundbreaking, much like the original show, by leaning into pre-existing perceptions of the cast while taking back the power to tell their stories.
