HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — The upcoming CW spinoff of "Beverly Hills, 90210" has landed its biggest prize yet.
Shannen Doherty, who starred in the original series before she left amidst controversy after just four seasons, is officially returning to her old zip code, the network announced on Saturday at a meeting of the Television Critics Association.
The 37-year-old actress will reprise her role of Brenda Walsh when the series premieres on Sept. 2., returning as a famous director who's invited back to stage a musical at her alma mater.
Doherty was a constant disruption in the original series, eventually being shown the door in 1994. Among her targets on the '90s Fox teen drama was Jennie Garth, who is another original cast member already on board for the contemporary version, along with previous stars Tori Spelling and Joe E. Tata.
Garth previously expressed that she was willing to let bygones be bygones, saying, "A lot of time has passed, and I'm a big girl. I'd have no problem with her coming on the show."
Following her "90210" exit, Doherty enjoyed limited success, with a starring role on the TV series "Charmed" being her most notable accomplishment.
"This is a win-win for all parties," a show source previously told Entertainment Weekly about Doherty's return. "Shannen has a shot to get back in the public eye and make things right with the show that gave her her career, and the CW can generate some much-needed buzz and guarantee some major sampling of 90210."
Of course, if the old Doherty returns and raises a ruckus around West Beverly High, it could be a disaster.
"They should demand good behavior and get rid of her quick if they don't get it," one top TV producer warned EW. "The danger is that the show becomes a big hit, and her participation is seen as essential. If that happens, and she's still a disruptive, dysfunctional actor, then they've got a big mess."
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