Recently, reports about a spin-off for the 1990’s most popular teen soap, Beverly Hills 90210 circulated. Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas was hired to write the pilot for the spin-off, which would hopefully be picked up by one of the major networks. In fact, as the pilot is currently in the works, casting rumors and announcements have circulated, bringing into discussion names such as Tristan Wilds, Michael Steger and teenybopper Hilary Duff. One thing’s for sure though, The Wire actor is certainly taking the lead on the newest remake of all time.
Hot off the press is news about the 19-year-old Tristan Wilds, who plays Michael Lee on The Wire. In the HBO series, Wilds plays a troubled young man who struggles to support his younger brother and drug-dependent mother. Battered by the past, he forces himself to move forward with the help of his friends, Namond (Julito McCullum), Randy (Maestro Harrell) and Dukie (Jermaine Crawford).
TV Guide reports that Wilds will be the face of Dixon Mills, the adopted son of the Mills family, on the Beverly Hills 90210 spin-off. There, he serves as the third generation of the Mills family, headed by alcohol-dependent Tabitha Mills, played by Jessica Walter. Others on the cast list are Lori Loughlin, who will play Celia, Tabitha’s daughter-in-law and Michael Steger, who will play Navid, a student of Persian descent who becomes the producer of West Beverly Hills High School’s TV newscasts. Navid is also a Scientologist who drinks non-alcoholic wine to fit himself into partying crowd.
Late last month, we heard rumors that the 20-year-old Hilary Duff has been eyed by producers to play Annie Mills, the real granddaughter of Tabitha. However, Hilary fans may be disappointed to know that the role has gone to 18-year-old Canadian actress Shenae Grimes, who appeared as Darcy Edwards on Degrassi: The Next Generation.
Check back for more casting updates for the much anticipated spin-off of Beverly Hills 90210.
-Valerie Anne del Castillo, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: TVGuide, Zap2It
(Photo courtesy of HBO)
Staff Columnist, BuddyTV
