Lifetime’s Unauthorized ‘90210’ And ‘Melrose Place’ Movies Release Cast Photos, Causes Twitter Backlash

Beverly Hills 90210 Lifetime — Lifetime revealed the cast of "The Unauthorized Beverly Hills, 90210 Story." Pictured: Abby Ross as Tori Spelling/Donna Martin, Michele Goyns as Gabrielle Carteris/Andrea Zuckerman, Ross Linton as Brian Austin Green/David Silver, Samantha Munro as Shannon Doherty/Brenda Walsh, Jesy McKinney as Luke Perry/Dylan McKay, Abbie Cobb as Jennie Garth/Kelly Taylor, David Lennon as Ian Ziering/Steve Sanders and Max Lloyd-Jones as Jason Priestley/Brandon Walsh. Lifetime

Lifetime is telling more unauthorized stories. After the success of last year’s “The Unauthorized Saved By The Bell Story,” the network will try to cash in on the ‘90s nostalgia again this fall. “The Unauthorized Melrose Place Story” and “The Unauthorized Beverly Hills, 90210 Story” will both premiere in October, but fans are already stirring about the pictures of the casts that were released.

The picture above shows the cast of “Beverly Hills, 90210” film. The show started in 1990, so the ‘90s wardrobe is definitely fitting. However, it’s the people wearing the clothes that are concerning the fans. While some of the actors resemble the original cast, Twitter didn’t seem thrilled with the choices for Shannen Doherty and Tori Spelling lookalikes. Some claimed they couldn’t recognize who anyone was supposed to be, while others were just against the idea of the movie all together.

omg lifetime did shannen doherty DIRTY w that 90210 casting. they did ok with heather's casting in the melrose place one tho
— austin (@rehabpromises) July 22, 2015

So much no to this cast. Can't even tell who most are supposed to be. http://t.co/zodV9Ibtkw
— Jay Shadix (@JayShadix) July 22, 2015

I can't even with these 90210 and Melrose Place Lifetime movies. Holy train wrecks Batman.
— Susan (@aurora_0811) July 22, 2015

The guy playing Ian Ziering in the Lifetime 90210 looks like such a goober so he's perfect pic.twitter.com/FbjiBGsphh
— Molly Eichel (@mollyeichel) July 22, 2015

This is very upsetting to me. I don't recognise Brenda. Only Dylan is sort of recognisable. Am traumatised. http://t.co/CGyX3knGHK
— Elaine L. (@LaineyGossip) July 23, 2015

Melrose Place Lifetime — Meet the cast of Lifetime's "The Unauthorized Melrose Place Story." From left. Chloe McClay as Josie Bisset/Jane Mancini, Ryan Bruce as Grant Show/Jake Hanson, Frank Bailey as Andrew Shue/Billy Campbell, Ciara Hanna as Heather Locklear/Amanda Woodward, Joseph Coleman as Doug Savant/Matt Fielding, Brandon Barash as Thomas Calabro/Michael Mancini, Ali Cobrin as Daphne Zuniga/Jo Reynolds, Lanie McAuley as Amy Locane, Chelsea Hobbs as Laura Leighton/Sydney Andrews, Rebecca Dalton as Courtney Throne-Smith/Allison Parker, Teagan Vincze as Marcia Cross/Kimberly Shaw, Karissa Tynes as Vanessa A. Williams/Rhoda Blair. Lifetime

The actors playing the “Melrose Place” cast, which originally included actors like Heather Locklear and Marcia Cross, didn’t fare much better. “General Hospital” actor Brandon Barash seems to have pleased his fan base. He is playing Thomas Calabro/Michael Mancini, and several soap opera fans seemed delighted to see him in the cast picture. However, the rest of “The Unauthorized Melrose Place Story” cast wasn’t so lucky.

Lifetime's '90210' & 'Melrose Place' movies http://t.co/ilnrGlyeBF via @EW Melrose Place only Rhohnda, Jane and Matt look decently cast.
— Mark Sinacori (@MARKSINACORI) July 23, 2015

That's some good casting. Brandon B as Michael for Melrose Place story. #samesmile
— Pinky (@twinks0216) July 22, 2015

'Melrose Place' is very sacred to me. I'm not interested in an unauthorized story/movie of the week.
— FiftyShadesofMaslow (@MaslowOnMyMind) July 22, 2015

OMG, how random is this? A TV movie about the making of Melrose Place?! Why?!!! @MichaelFairman
— SoapScholar (@SoapScholar) July 22, 2015

@BrandonBarash This looks like it's gonna be awesome! I totally can't wait to see how it turns out_ pic.twitter.com/IXoxMQAJov
— Ⓜⓘⓚⓔ Ⓜa͞g͞n͞a͞n͞o͞ (@MikeTheMenace34) July 23, 2015

So, here's @lifetimetv's hellscape versions of Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place. They have got to be stopped. pic.twitter.com/icW2Rh0j1k
— Ellvis Pizzeria (@ohellvis) July 22, 2015

It's like if Melrose Place was a costume you bought at CVS at 9pm on Halloween. https://t.co/4J4cbD6WPd
— Emily Toffelmire (@klickitatstreet) July 23, 2015

The backlash isn’t actually surprising. Lifetime doesn’t seem to be aiming for critical acclaim here. They faced the same problem when they released photos of “The Unauthorized Full House Story” earlier this summer. They could face more backlash after the film’s premiere. Lifetime’s movies about Whitney Houston, Aaliyah and Brittany Murphy not only faced casting criticism, but some viewers question if the “unauthorized” stories are legitimate.

“The Unauthorized Melrose Place Story” will premiere Saturday, Oct. 10, at 8 p.m. EDT and “The Unauthorized Beverly Hills, 90210 Story” will premiere Saturday, Oct. 3, at 8 p.m. EDT on Lifetime. What do you think of the casts? Sound off in the comments section below!

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