Beverly Hills, 90210: Casting News and a Setback for the TV Show Revival

The much anticipated new version of Beverly Hills, 90210 has hit a bump in the road. Rob Thomas, the creative force behind Veronica Mars, has had to step back from the project.

Thomas has had a lot of good luck lately. His new version of Cupid — based on his 1998 Jeremy Piven series of the same name — and Good Behavior — a dramedy about a family of thieves — have both been ordered to pilot by ABC. The alphabet network has first dibs on Thomas’ schedule so he’s had to pull back on his 90210 involvement for CW.

This doesn’t mean however that Thomas won’t be involved. Sources report that he was in casting sessions a few days ago. AnnaLynne McCord (Nip/Tuck) was just revealed as the second actor to be cast in the 90210 pilot. She’ll play the sexy and spoiled Naomi Bennett who has an on-again/off-again relationship with popular jock Ethan Ward (Runaway’s Dustin Milligan).

Thomas will remain as an executive producer for the 90210 pilot and if the version is greenlighted to series. Thomas wrote the pilot script but doesn’t have the time to revise it. That duty will likely fall to What About Brian scribes Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah.

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With the growing public interest in the project, the new 90210 is expected to be greenlit to a series. CW and producing studio CBS Paramount Network TV are searching for possible showrunners as Thomas, Sachs, and Judah will likely be committed to other deals.

On the positive side, original series castmember Jennie Garth has left the CBS comedy pilot My Best Friend’s Girl. This may be an indication that she’ll agree to a role in a new 90210 series. Thomas had written her Kelly Taylor character into the new project as a fashion design teacher at Beverly Hills High. Stay tuned!

Who would you like to see take part in the new version? Check out our poll with Polls Boutique!