Same Zip Code, More Sizzle

Ryan will be the object of affection for both an older and younger woman– Garth's Kelly Taylor and a student played by Jessica Lowndes. "She comes to me for support because she thinks I'm the only one who understands her. I try to keep it professional at first," he says, not sure where the relationship will go.

Also figuring in the 90210 mix are the characters Silver (Jessica Stroup), a blogger whose relationship to the original show's David Silver will be revealed early on, and Navid (Michael Steger), who runs the high school news department. With these two around, no secrets will stay hidden for long.

Of course, Beverly Hills itself is a main character, with real restaurants, stores and other recognizable locations setting the scene. And while it will take more than eye candy to keep viewers glued, producer Jeff Judah believes 90210 has that covered. "It's grounded with real emotional stories," he says, explaining why he thinks Middle America will be able to relate to Platinum-card holding, Maserati-driving California teens. "On an emotional level, they suffer the same way that every one of us do," he notes. "They're struggling to sort of get through the day."