As the follow-up show to Beverly Hills 90210 (which, by the way, is also getting the Lifetime unauthorized biography treatment alongside other ‘90s hits like Full House and Saved by the Bell), Melrose Place followed a group of young professionals and their shenanigans which often included betrayal, fights, rumours, and sexual liasons. Off screen, however, the drama may not have stopped, and this biography will take a peek into some of those antics.
Related: Lifetime’s latest victim for an unauthorized tell-all is Melrose Place
The show went through a number of cast swaps, including the most notable addition of Heather Locklear, who has often been credited with saving the show from cancellation with her ability to play the super villain before The Real Housewives even existed. But it served as a launchpad for the careers of many breakout stars, including Doug Savant and Marcia Cross, who both moved on to Desperate Housewives in the ‘00s, and Kristin Davis who became one of the iconic foursome from Sex and the City.
Lifetime chose to cast for a dozen of the most prolific characters. Ciara Hanna has the tough role of filling Heather Locklear’s shoes as Amanda Woodward. Joining her will be Rebecca Dalton as Courtney Thorne-Smith (in the role of Allison Parker); Frank Bailey as Andrew Shue (Billy Campbell); Ryan Bruce as Grant Show (Jake Hanson); Chloe McClay as Josie Bissett (Jane Mancini); Ali Cobrin as Daphne Zuniga (Jo Reynolds); Teagan Vincze as Marcia Cross (Kimberly Shaw); Joseph Coleman as Doug Savant (Matt Fielding); Brandon Barash as Thomas Calabro (Michael Mancini); Karissa Tynes as Vanessa A. Williams (Rhonda Blair); Chelsea Hobbs as Laura Leighton (Sydney Andrews); and Lanie McAuley as Amy Locane (Sandy Louise Harding.) Yeah, it’s a big cast.
Howard Braunstein is serving as executive producer alongside Michael Larkin, and Christian Bruyere as producer. Dana Schmalenberg will be writing. Both Braunstein and Bruyere are also involved with the 90210 biography as well.
According to Variety, the first of these unauthorized biographies on Saved by the Bell, did not perform in the ratings despite the buzz it caused. With the Full House biography set to air on August 22, and both Beverly Hills and Melrose Place planned for October (3 and 10th, respectively), along with these hilarious casting photos, they might just gain some ratings attention this time around. The latter two shows were certainly far more dramatic than the former two, and may pique viewers’ interests a little more. Stay tuned.
