Doherty Confirmed for 90210 Spin-Off

Shannen Doherty returns to the zip code that made her famous when she guest stars in multiple episodes of The CW’s spin-off, “90210,” premiering Tuesday, September 2, it was announced today at the network’s annual Television Critics’ Association Summer Press Tour.

Doherty will reprise her role as Brenda Walsh, who was last seen headed to London to study acting. Following her move, Brenda became a successful theater actress, splitting her time between London and New York. The character soon transitioned into directing for theater and had equal success in that career. West Beverly Hills High School has approached Walsh to return to her alma mater as a guest director for the school’s musical production.

As previously announced, Jennie Garth returns as Kelly Taylor, now a West Beverly guidance counselor; Tori Spelling returns as Donna Martin, now owner of an upscale boutique, and Joe E. Tata returns as Nat, owner of The Peach Pit.

In related news, The CW has announced its fall 2008 premiere dates:

The CW Network announced its Fall premiere dates for the 2008-2009 season today at the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour. The CW unveils its new primetime schedule beginning on Monday, Sept. 1, well in advance of the start of the traditional broadcast season. Every drama and comedy on The CW’s schedule will be broadcast in high definition.

The CW will kick off the 2008-2009 season from a position of strength on Monday, September 1 with the season premieres of its successful new drama block of GOSSIP GIRL (8:00-9:00 p.m.) followed by ONE TREE HILL (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET). GOSSIP GIRL was last season’s most buzz-worthy series, with the highest concentration of female teens anywhere on broadcast television, and ONE TREE HILL continued to grow last year despite moving to a new time period.

The roll-out continues with the season’s highly anticipated new series 90210, which will make its debut as a two-hour event on Tuesday, September 2 (8:00-10:00 p.m.). The CW’s companion drama PRIVILEGED will premiere the following week on Tuesday, September 9 (9:00-10:00 p.m.). An edgy, contemporary interpretation of the iconic 1990s drama “Beverly Hills, 90210,” The CW’s spin-off 90210 promises to deliver all the drama and excitement of its predecessor, with a dynamic cast of up-and-coming stars and familiar faces such as Lori Loughlin (“Summerland”) and Jessica Walter (“Arrested Development”). Original series stars Jennie Garth, Tori Spelling, Shannen Doherty and Joe E. Tata will appear as guest stars on the new series. Based on the best-selling book “How To Teach Filthy Rich Girls” by Zoe Dean, PRIVILEGED adds a distinctively witty note to Tuesday as JoAnna Garcia (“Reba”) stars as the live-in tutor to wild and wealthy teenage twin sisters in fabulous Palm Beach.

The CW heads back to the runway on Wednesday, September 3 with the two-hour premiere of the network’s signature hit AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL (8:00-10:00 p.m.). On October 29, Wednesday will get even more fashionable with the debut of The CW’s new reality series STYLISTA (9:00-10:00 p.m.). From the creators of AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL and “Project Runway,” and starring Elle magazine’s Fashion News Director, Anne Slowey, and Creative Director, Joe Zee, STYLISTA is “The Devil Wears Prada” reinvented as a reality series. With tough weekly challenges, 11 hopeful fashion enthusiasts will vie for a coveted editorial job and great prizes.

High-octane action and suspense return on Thursday, September 18 with the season premieres of two of The CW’s most-watched scripted series on one of television’s most competitive nights, SMALLVILLE (8:00-9:00 p.m.) and SUPERNATURAL (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET).

Starting October 3, The CW will be the only place for comedy on Fridays with EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS (8:00-8:30 p.m.) and THE GAME (8:30-9:00 p.m.). The network will continue to counter-program the competition with an encore of AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL (9:00-10:00 p.m.).

Premiere dates and times for The CW’s returning drama REAPER and new reality series 13 FEAR IS REAL will be announced at a later time.

Following is The CW’s Fall 2008 primetime premiere dates:

Monday, September 1

8:00-9:00 p.m. “GOSSIP GIRL” *

9:00-10:00 p.m. “ONE TREE HILL” *

Tuesday, September 2

8:00-10:00 p.m. “90210”* (Two-Hour Premiere)

Wednesday, September 3

8:00-10:00 p.m. “AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL” (Two-Hour Premiere)

Tuesday, September 9

9:00-10:00 p.m. “PRIVILEGED” *

Thursday, September 18