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Jason Priestley says he pushed to end Beverly Hills, 90210 long before the series actually signed off, frustrated by plot twists that felt increasingly outlandish. In a candid chat on Jennie Garth’s podcast, he recalled asking showrunner Aaron Spelling to let the show go out on top rather than stretch on with what he called soap-like turns.
Why Priestley wanted the show to stop
Priestley, who rose to fame as Brandon Walsh, told listeners he became disillusioned when the show’s tone shifted. He said the storytelling was drifting away from the teenage drama that made the series a cultural hit.
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He described telling Aaron Spelling directly that it was time to end the series while it still mattered. According to Priestley, Spelling was not receptive and made clear he had no plans to wrap the series up.
“Let’s go out on top,” Priestley recalled urging Spelling. The producer reportedly replied that the show would continue until he was forced off the set.
How season 8 changed the show’s direction
Under new leadership, the series took bolder, more theatrical turns. Jason singled out season 8 as a breaking point.
- Plots that leaned into melodrama, like unexpected comas.
- Return and reveal storylines featuring long-lost siblings.
- A tonal shift toward what Priestley called “daytime-y” storytelling.
Those creative choices left some cast members feeling the series was drifting from its original appeal.
The moment Priestley chose to leave
When Spelling refused to end the series, Priestley faced a choice: remain in a show he no longer believed in or step away.
He decided to exit early in season 9, in 1998, writing Brandon Walsh out by sending him to Washington, D.C., to pursue a journalism opportunity.
Priestley later admitted he might have acted differently if he had known the show would last only another year and a half after his departure.
Career and personal reasons behind the move
Priestley framed his exit as both a professional and personal decision. He wanted to explore other roles and to change the rhythm of his life away from the grind of a long-running series.
Storylines and relationships that were affected
Priestley’s exit had ripple effects on the show’s planned arcs. One notable casualty was the intended long-term pairing of his character Brandon with Jennie Garth’s Kelly Taylor.
Priestley said the idea of Brandon and Kelly marrying had been on the table, but his leaving made that a nonstarter.
Cast reaction and the evolving ensemble
Jennie Garth, who played Kelly, acknowledged that losing Priestley changed the chemistry on screen. By that point, Shannen Doherty had already left, removing Brenda Walsh from the core group.
- Core original cast included: Jason Priestley, Jennie Garth, Shannen Doherty, Luke Perry, Ian Ziering, Tori Spelling, Brian Austin Green, and Gabrielle Carteris.
- Changes in cast reshaped story priorities and audience expectations.
Where the series went after Priestley’s exit
Beverly Hills, 90210 carried on until May 17, 2000, completing its tenth season. The show continued to draw viewers even as its content became more sensational.
Aaron Spelling, the producer who opposed ending the series, passed away in June 2006 at age 83.
Why this episode still matters
The exchange highlights a common tension in television between creative fatigue and commercial success. Cast members may seek closure while networks and producers see ongoing value.
Priestley’s story is a reminder that decisions about leaving a hit show can carry both regret and relief.
