Josie Bissett Interested ...

Original castmember, Josie Bissett, who played Jane Mancini from Seasons 1-5 & 7 has expressed interest in the new Melrose!

What’s up with the Melrose Place remake rumors? Will you be a part of it?

I don’t know a lot about it. I know Laura Leighton and Thomas Calabro have signed on, which is great. I don’t know what the scripts are like, but I’m assuming it has to be good if Laura and Thomas went for it. I would definitely be interested. I am on another show , but I would be so excited to do a cameo.

Doug Savant Talks Melrose

Original cast member Doug Savant (Matt Fielding, S1-6) briefly discussed the upcoming reboot, starring his real-life wife Laura Leighton (Sydney Andrews):

Doug Savant may be busy with Desperate Housewives, but he tells us, “If they were interested in having me back, I would entertain the idea. They haven’t asked me; I’m very interested in the new Melrose Place. [My real-life wife] the gorgeous Laura Leighton is going to show up on the show, and I’m sure it’s going to be a huge success, so I’m really excited about that.”

Daphne Zuniga Says No To Melrose Return ... Kind Of ...

“I won’t be a part of this [the new Melrose Place], unless they want to bring me on as a guest. Just for the fun of it. That was a long time ago for me and I am doing so much other stuff, it would feel like going back to the past. I am not interested in going back to where there are all these younger people – who I was 10 years ago. Now I have would have to be their mother, like a mother hen. What, there is going to be a mini-Jo there? It would be like playing the old lady in apartment six. Not going to happen, no, sorry. But we will see how it goes.”

source: http://www.melroseplaceblog.com/2009/04/29/daphne-zuniga-on-new-melrose-place-reboot-%e2%80%9cnot-going-to-happen%e2%80%9d/

First Glimpse From The Set of Melrose!

Laura Leighton (Sydney Andrews) arriving on set (also pictured is Shaun Sipos)

Ashlee Simpson (Violet) arrives on set with cupcakes from Sprinkles

Jonah Miller (Michael Rady)

Dr. Michael Mancini (Thomas Calabro)

Ella Flynn (Katie Cassidy)

Riley Richmond (Jessica Lucas)

David Patterson (Shaun Sipos) & Michael Mancini (Thomas Calabro)

David Patterson (Shaun Sipos)

Minor Updates ...

Just a brief update! Nothing really new is going on in the world of CW's Melrose Place. Shooting of the pilot is going on now and we won't find out until the May upfronts (usually the second week of May, if I can remember correctly) if the show will make it on the fall schedule, although from all indications, it's a lock, although a few months ago, it was said Heather Locklear was a "lock" to reprise her role as Amanda, and she ended up turning them down. So ... stay tuned!

* According to Ask Ausiello, 90210's Ryan Eggold (Ryan Matthews) isn't confirmed for the spin-off

* Ashlee Simpson-Wentz posted on her Twitter page that filming takes place and wraps this week on the pilot

* The newest TVGuide magazine (with Nicollette Sheridan on the cover) has a nice half-page article on Laura Leighton's return as Sydney in the new Melrose Place

Crazy Rumor? Spoiler? Wild Guess? Where's Syd Been?

According to Ask Ausiello at ew.com:

Question: Any idea how the new Melrose Place will explain what the hell happened to Sydney? If she didn't go six feet under, where did she go? --Dave
Ausiello: I've got two words for you: Women's. Prison.

Time will tell, I guess? My guess is that Sydney faked her death to collect insurance money of some sort, leading to an arrest and hard times in jail. I would even go so far as to say con artist Sophie Burns on Beverly Hills, 90210 was an amnesiac Syd. That's probably stretching it, but it would be a great way to explain it away.

Another Blast From The Past! The Doctor Is In!

Another FANTASTIC bit of casting news! Thomas Calabro has FINALLY been approached to reprise his role of Michael. He's the only actor of the original series to have appeared in nearly every episode of Melrose Place's entire seven seasons (Heather Locklear debuted mid-way through Season 1). Calabro joins Laura Leighton as the only two former stars to agree to be on the new series. But, according to People, Calabro's Michael is father to David Patterson (Jake Hansen's son, played by Shaun Sipos), which comes off as very odd! More details as they emerge!

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20270500,00.html

HOLY CRAP! MAJOR CASTING NEWS! Laura Leighton Joins Melrose!

In what will come as a major, shocking casting announcement, Sydney is coming back from the dead! Yes, you read that right, according to the Hollywood Reporter, Laura Leighton is joining the CW remake on a recurring basis, as the very much alive Syd, who is the landlord to the new crop of tenants. How she makes her return is anyone's guess, and it's being kept very under wraps. Stay tuned, but this is exciting news and one of the best piece of casting news yet! Who ever would have thought they would make things RIGHT and resurrect Sydney Andrews? All I have to say to this? HOLY CRAPOLA!

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3if8bcecb2de71aac3265c172ec5d3419b

Melrose Place Finally Casts Jake's Son!

Shaun Sipos has snagged the last regular role on the CW's "Melrose Place" and the one that links the new project to the original Fox series.

Sipos will play David Patterson, the son of Jake Hansen (Grant Show).

David is a bad boy with smoldering good looks who grew up as a rich kid but has been cut off from his family money.

Sipos, whose series credits include "Maybe It's Me," "Complete Savages" and "Shark," joins previously cast "Melrose" co-stars Michael Rady, Jessica Lucas, Katie Cassidy, Ashlee Simpson-Weitz, Colin Egglesfield and Stephanie Jacobson.

source:thr.com

First Glimpse Of The New Complex?

On last night's all new 90210, we got to see Ryan enter an apartment complex and then his apartment. The entire layout and look of it reminded me of 4616 Melrose Place, which is where Ryan will be residing in the fall (he's doing double duty on both shows), and while the complex was entirely different and definitely "plain", it very clearly seemed like 4616 Melrose Place. Although, time will tell if it's really the case, as I'm not sure if this episode was taped well before it was even decided Ryan would make the move. Who knows? Hopefully we can get a better glimpse of it in future episodes (the shot tonight was in the dark).

Vanessa Williams Speaks Out About The New Melrose!

E! Online had spoken with original Melrose Place alum Vanessa Williams who played Rhonda Blair during the first season. Williams had expressed great interest in returning to her role on the new show if an opprtunity is presented. At the Kids' Choice Awards, Williams stated "Rhonda could come back and own her own line of studio workout places and doing Pilates and married with children. It would be great."

Ryan Eggold Joining "Melrose Place" as his "90210" Character?

It looks like the CW's upcoming Melrose Place remake has another tenant, and he’s coming straight from a familiar zip code. 90210’s Ryan Eggold, who plays West Beverly High teacher Ryan Matthews, says he will likely be joining the cast of the spin off next fall. Does that mean he's leaving his wealthy students to fend for themselves? Not at all.

“It’s looking like I’m gonna be on both,” Eggold told TV Guide at our annual Sexiest Stars party. “That would be kind of cool, because I’m gonna be the teacher on 90210, and [we’ll see] more of his personal life on Melrose Place as a 20-something guy.”

What the cross-over means for Ryan's already complicated relationship with Kelly (Jennie Garth, who was the tie-in character between the original shows) is too early to tell, but the real mystery is what will happen when Ryan meets Riley, an inner-city elementary school teacher played by Jessica Lucas, who also played Kimberly, an undercover narc and Ryan's love interest on 90210. We can’t wait to see how the creators of the MP reboot explain this one. Is it ever too soon to play the evil twin card?


http://www.tvguidemagazine.com/news/90210-star-to-join-melrose-place-reboot-413.html

Melrose Reboot Casts It's Call Girl Med Student!

Stephanie Jacobsen ("Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles") has just signed on to play Lauren, a med student who moonlights as a high end call girl.

from Korbi @ tv.zap2it.com

Ex-Daytime Hunk Cast as Auggie!

From a daytime soap to a primetime one -- "All My Children" hunk Colin Egglesfield is the latest actor to check into CW's "Melrose Place."

On the CBS Par-produced ensemble drama, Egglesfield will play one of the leads, Melrose Place's resident Auggie. An avid surfer, Auggie works as a sous-chef at a hot restaurant while dreaming of one day working for himself.


source:thr.com

Lisa Rinna: Desperately Seeking Melrose Place!

good evening! are you excited over the upcoming CW reboot of melrose place? i'll definitely tune-in this fall ... i'm not quite sure i can deal with ashlee simpson but i'll at least watch the first few episodes! of course i'd love to see some of the old cast members back - my top pick would have to be heather locklear which might happen (actually it's not as of today) and of course i'd pick marcia cross next (but that's not happening either) we'll probably end up with lisa rinna who has already been quite vocal about wanting to star on the show's new incarnation - she was hanging out with intern ross matthews earlier today - the two were holding up signs on the real melrose place here in los angeles - asking people to honk to bring back lisa to melrose! (according to ross' blog - the stunt was filmed for the insider - the segment will air this coming monday - at least she wasn't doing this as a serious PR stunt) i don't mind her at all but i was never really crazy about her character 'taylor mcbride' - if she does in fact return - it probably won't be a huge part - so i say let the lady come back - i guess desperate times call for desperate measures! popbytes over & out for tonight ... xoxo

popbytes.com

The Bitch Won't Be Back ... Locklear Turns Down MELROSE!

One person who won't be moving back into Melrose Place? Heather Locklear. The actress -- who played the key role of Amanda Woodward on the original series -- has turned down an offer to join the cast of the CW's update of the hit Fox serial, EW has learned. "There wasn't a way to bring her back that made sense," says a source close to the situation. While the network and studio won't comment, her reps do confirm that Locklear has passed. It's no secret that the CW was aggressively pursuing Locklear and will likely want to secure another star from the original show. The reboot, which is slated for the fall, has already cast Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, Jessica Lucas, Michael Rady, and Katie Cassidy.


source: ew.com

Riley Cast ... Jessica Lucas Joins MELROSE!

"Cloverfield" star Jessica Lucas has landed a lead role on CW's new "Melrose Place."

She will play Melrose Place resident Riley Richmond, a wealthy and beautiful 24-year-old who works as an inner-city elementary school teacher. She is engaged to Jonah (Michael Rady) but has second thoughts about marrying him.

Lucas already has ties to the "Melrose" franchise. She recurred on the first season of CW's "90210," an update of the original Fox series that was spun off into the original "Melrose Place."

On the "Melrose" redux, Lucas also joins previously cast Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Katie Cassidy.

source: thr.com

No Mischa For Melrose ... Joins "Beautiful Life" Instead!

"The O.C." alumna Mischa Barton has been tapped to star in CW's drama pilot "A Beautiful Life."

The project, from CBS Par, revolves around a group of models living together in a co-ed residence in New York.

Barton will play Sonja, a supermodel and veteran of the high-fashion circuit who is struggling to keep on top and is in danger of slipping.

Barton can bring personal experience to the role as she has modeled for such companies as Calvin Klein, bebe stores, Aeropostale, Monsoon Accessorize, Dooney & Bourke and JC (Jeans and Clothes).

Barton was originally up for another CW drama pilot, "Melrose Place," but that casting didn't materialize.

Best known for her role as Marissa Cooper on "The O.C.," Barton is repped by Paradigm.

source: thr.com

Courtney Thorne-Smith: No Plans For Melrose Visit

Will the new Melrose Place (Ashlee Simpson-Wentz included, natch) feature some old-timers?

While Heather Locklear may be having conversations with producers to return as witch-in-heels Amanda Woodward, it's unclear who else may or may not have already been approached for a resurrection.

"I think it's really for the younger generation," Courtney Thorne-Smith, who played Allison Parker on MP, told us yesterday at the John Varvatos seventh annual Stuart House benefit in West Hollywood. "I don't think there's much place for us old folks."

But that doesn't mean Thorne-Smith wouldn't consider an offer if one came through.

"It's not something I'm looking for, but I never say never to anything," she said.

If nothing else, Thorne-Smith would love a reunion show. "I run into [former costars], but we haven't got together or anything," she said. "I really wish we would, though, because that would be so much fun. Years ago, Fox did a reunion show with 90210. They should really do that for Melrose…But we all have kids now, so we'd have to do it at Chuck E. Cheese or something."

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz Joins MELROSE!

In what could be considered a surprising casting choice ...

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz is moving into "Melrose Place."

The singer-actress has been tapped as a lead on the CW's "Melrose" update, returning to series television seven years after landing her breakthrough role on the WB's "7th Heaven."

On the CBS Par-produced "Melrose," Simpson-Wentz will play Melrose Place's newest resident, Violet, a bright-eyed but shrewd small-town girl and recent L.A. transplant who has come to town with a secret.

Her character draws parallels to the original series' blond, budding-Southern-belle starlet, Sandy Harling (Amy Locane).

On the new "Melrose," Simpson-Wentz joins the previously cast Michael Rady and Katie Cassidy.

Simpson-Wentz is returning to television after a four-year hiatus from acting to focus on her music career. She guest-stars on the March 18 episode of "CSI: NY," also produced by CBS Par. In the episode, she and husband Pete Wentz will play Bonnie-and-Clyde wannabes.

Simpson-Wentz is repped by CAA and her father and manager, Joe Simpson

SOURCE: THR.com

Major Casting Rumor! Locklear to "Special Guest Star" Again?

SOURCE: ew.com

Question: Got any casting scoop for the new Melrose Place? Dig deep! --Owen
Ausiello: I hear Heather Locklear is pretty much a lock to reclaim her "Very Special Guest Star" title.

Casting RUMOR! Former "OC" Star to Melrose Remake?

SOURCE: ZAP2IT.COM

Exclusive: Is Mischa Barton Moving In To Melrose Place
By Korbi Ghosh


We haven't seen Mischa Barton on TV since Twilight star Cam Gigandet ran Marissa Cooper off an O.C. road a few years back, but it could just be a matter of time. An industry insider tells me that Mischa is testing for a role on The CW's Melrose Place remake today, saying the network is very excited about her.

No surprise, as they had originally wanted Barton to play Gossip Girl's Georgina Sparks, a part that eventually went to Michelle Trachtenberg. Seems M.B. is more interested in the idea of depicting an adult TV character.

And you? Are you into the idea of an all grown up Barton back in your living room every week? I think it's a good move for the show. While old school Melrose fans will probably tune in for the new series' first episode, younger viewers who are more familiar with The O.C. may watch because of Mischa.

If she does in fact land the role, she will go to work with Greek's Michael Rady who was cast as Jonah Miller, an aspiring filmmaker, last week. His character is said to be a lot like the original show's Billy, played by Andrew Shue.

No word on which veteran Melrose character Mischa might be emulating. Marcia Cross' crazy Kimberly maybe?!

Melrose Remake Casts It's Amanda ...

Katie Cassidy, the daughter of David Cassidy, is the first female resident moving into the CW's new "Melrose Place."



On "Melrose Place," to be directed by David Guggenheim, Cassidy will play the sexy and stylish Ella Flynn, an up-and-coming publicist with a big career ahead of her.

She joins Michael Rady, who was cast as aspiring filmmaker Jonah Miller.

Cassidy, repped by Endeavor and Anonymous, next co-stars on CBS' limited drama series "Harper's Island," a "Ten Litle Indians"-style mystery story set on a remote island. She recurred on CW's "Supernatural" and the WB's "7th Heaven."

SOURCE: THR.com

First Casting Scoop! From "Swingtown" to "Melrose" ...

Well, looks like I spoke too soon about the casting news ...

The first actor cast in the new "Melrose Place" is ... Michael Rady.

The "Swingtown" alum landed the gig Wednesday morning, a day after the CW officially greenlighted the pilot for the "Melrose" update, to be directed by Davis Guggenheim.

On the CBS Par project, penned by "Smallville" exec producers/co-showrunners Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer, Rady will play Jonah Miller, a cute and quirky 25-year-old aspiring filmmaker who makes his living as a videographer of weddings and bar mitzvahs for the rich and famous after moving to Los Angeles with his fiancee a year ago.

The role is somewhat reminiscent of struggling writer Billy (Andrew Shue) from the original Fox series.

In addition to his role as summer school philosophy teacher Doug Stephens on "Swingtown," Rady co-starred in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" and recurred on Showtime's "Sleeper Cell" and ABC Family's "Greek."

Related News ... CW Renews 90210 + Other Series ...

The CW has officially renewed related show, 90210 for a second season. Also renewed are Gossip Girl, Supernatural, Smallville, America's Next Top Model, and One Tree Hill, leaving very little room on the schedule, although, Everybody Hates Chris is rumored to not return, while Privileged, The Game and Reaper sit on the bubble.

"Lily" (the Gossip Girl spinoff) and the remake here in question are rumored to be locks for the fall schedule, as well as Vampire Diaries although all are far from locks, but they seem to be heavy bets.

CW Greenlights Pilot!

The CW's update of "Melrose Place" has received an official pilot order, and Oscar winner Davis Guggenheim has come on board to direct it.

The CBS Par-produced "Melrose Place," an remake of the '90s series about a group of twentysomethings living in the trendy Melrose neighborhood of Los Angeles, was written by Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin ("Smallville"), who will serve as exec producers/showrunners. Endeavor-repped Guggenheim, who won an Oscar for "An Inconvenient Truth," will exec produce as well.

In an interesting "twist" ... Guggenheim is married to Elisabeth Shue, sister of Andrew Shue, who portrayed Billy Campbell on the original Melrose Place from 1992 until he departed in 1998.

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter

No News Is Good News? Minor Updates ...

Filming SHOULD begin around May 2009 and I would expect we will begin to have an indication of the actors filling the roles that have been announced. I'm going to assume there will be more character announcements as well, as I can't see a show like MP focusing on such a small cast, especially with Riley (a.k.a. Allison) and Jonah (a.k.a. Billy) being an item, as well as Ella (a.k.a. Amanda) and David (a.k.a. Jake) being on-again/off-again. That leaves Auggie (a.k.a. Matt), Violet (a.k.a. Sydney) and Lauren (a.k.a. Jane/Jo hybrid, IMO).

We would technically still need a "Michael". Also, would it be too much to ask for another try at a "Rhonda". I mean, hello, this IS Los Angeles. I would also assume we'd need a "Jo" type, although it seems like Lauren could be a mixture of Jane and Jo.

In looking back at "90210" and it's casting in 2008, the majority started leaking around April so I would expect the same here. I'd keep more of an eye out around mid-March and mid-late April through the fall for full casting scoops.

I'll keep you all updated as I find out more, but for the next few weeks, odds are, it's going to be a quiet blog.

Smallville Scribes To Pen Remake ... Characters Announced!

From: The Ausiello Files

Here comes the neighborhood!



With Smallville producers Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer now officially installed as showrunners, The CW at last has revealed who'll be moving into its remodeled Melrose Place next season. (Well, they've revealed the characters at least; the roles have yet to be cast.) As you'd imagine, there are some familiar types among the tenants.

Wanna meet 'em? Come on!

The new Jake and Amanda are... David Patterson and Ella Flynn. He's Melrose royalty, the now-grown son of the original Jake, with the taut abs and thick black book to prove it. She's his omnisexual sometime lover, a PR whiz whose tongue is as sharp as her stilettos.

The new Billy and Allison are... Jonah Miller and Riley Richmond. He's a Kevin Smith wannabe whose obsession with his movies is unlikely to give him a happy ending with his sickly-sweet schoolteacher fiancee -- especially when she takes a shine to the glamorous life he loathes.

The new Matt is... Auggie Kirkpatrick. A hunky hippie, this recovering alcoholic is willing to give everybody the benefit of the doubt. No word on whether the word sucker will be tattooed on Debbie Downer's forehead, but come on…

The new Jane is... Lauren Bishop. Sort of an anti-Michael, this straight-arrow med student falls on such hard times that she's forced to pull a Sydney and trade sexual favors for financial ones.

The new Sydney is... Violet Foster. Though she's fresh off the turnip truck, this small-town teen already has a worldly-wise m.o.: play the sex kitten till you're ready to bare your claws.

So what do you think? Are you interested in seeing Melrose Place renovated? Or should this property have remained condemned? I'm thinking Scott Porter and Amanda Seyfried as David and Ella. Got any better ideas?

General Information

To give credit where credit is due ... all of this, right now, is taken from Wikipedia.

• On September 23rd, 2008, Marc Malkin of E! Online reported on the possibility of a new Melrose Place spin-off in the vein of the new Beverly Hills, 90210 spin-off series 90210 ^[1]. According to Malkin, former Melrose Place star Lisa Rinna was at TV Guide's post-Emmy party and was quoted as saying "I've heard a rumor of them bringing back the show like they did 90210" and "I heard that it's somewhere at The CW." When asked if she would be willing to reprise her role as Taylor McBride in a new series, Rinna said "I would do it in a heartbeat."

However, Malkin also reports that "a rep for the CW insists there are no plans to bring back Melrose Place."

• On Oct 11th, TV Guide reported that series creator Darren Star said that the spin-off was a possibility that he'd be interested in pursuing and acknowledged that it's been up for discussion. However, he also noted that no official discussions about the spinoff have taken place.^[2] Later that month The CW and CBS Paramount Network Television said they are in fact "exploring" the possibility of creating a new version of the series.^[3][4] On October 31, 2008 Ace Show Biz reported that when it comes to the spinoff, Jennie Garth (who was instrumental in launching the original Melrose Place) does not plan to appear as her character Kelly Taylor. Kelly Rutherford, who played Megan on the original series, stated there is a possibility of her reprising her Melrose Place role. Lisa Rinna, who played Taylor McBride on the original series, stated that she would "definitely" reprise her role if asked.

• On December 31st, 2008, it was reported that Heather Locklear is being courted to reprise the role of Amanda Woodward in the new spin off.^[5]

• The CW entertainment boss Dawn Ostroff says she hasn't found a Head Writer for the new Melrose. Ostroff also told reporters that unlike the original series, the Melrose remake will try to capture life in the Melrose neighborhood. In regards to casting, Ostroff says the network hasn't spoken to anyone yet. "Heather [Locklear] would be one of the people you talk about because when you think of Melrose," she says, "one of the first people think of is Heather." ^[6]

• On January 14h, 2009 E! reported that Grant Show, who portrayed cast member Jake Hanson (who was instrumental in starting Melrose) stated that he is up for portraying his Melrose character on the new spinoff.

• On January 19th, 2009 Entertainment Weekly reported that The CW had been talking with Smallville show-runners Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin about shepherding the update.

The Blog

Welcome to the CW's Melrose Place blog!

It will be full of news regarding the new series, such as casting, interviews, spoilers, photos and more!