Teen Drama Links for December 31, 2024

Dec 31, 2024

2024 was a whirlwind, filled with high highs and low lows — and I’m talking just in the teen drama world.

On this last day of the year, join me in a look back at the ups, downs, and upside downs of the last 12 months.

Shannen Doherty Dies

The biggest teen drama story of the year — really, of the past five years, since we lost Luke Perry (Dylan, Beverly Hills, 90210) in 2019 — was also the saddest: the death of Shannen Doherty (Brenda, Beverly Hills, 90210) in July at the age of 53. While we all knew the actress was terminally ill, her passing was nonetheless a shock to the pop culture world. For weeks, tributes poured in, with fond looks back at her work on “Beverly Hills, 90210” and other projects, along with poignant reflections and thought-provoking analyses of how Doherty was treated by the media.

In last year’s year-in-review recap, I pointed out Doherty’s return to the spotlight with convention appearances, interviews, and a new podcast. I never imagined that, less than 12 months later, she would be gone.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention some other losses in the teen drama community this year: specifically, E. Duke Vincent (executive producer, Beverly Hills, 90210), Nicholas Pryor (Chancellor Arnold, Beverly Hills, 90210), David Gail (Stuart, Beverly Hills, 90210), Obi Ndefo (Bodie, Dawson’s Creek), Paul Teal (Josh, One Tree Hill) — and, just two days ago, Linda Lavin (Sophie, The O.C.). Notably, Pryor, Teal, and Lavin all lived in the Wilmington area for extended periods. My heart goes out to their loved ones.

James Van Der Beek Announces He Has Cancer

It’s unfortunate that I’m starting this list with back-to-back downers, but when I think about all the significant things that happened in the teen drama world in 2024, this is one of the first things that comes to mind: In November, James Van Der Beek (Dawson, Dawson’s Creek) revealed he’s battling stage 3 colorectal cancer — an announcement he only made after learning a tabloid was planning to leak the news.

While declining to go into specifics about his treatment, Van Der Beek has expressed optimism about his prognosis. In fact, despite the precarious state of his health — or, perhaps, because of it — he signed on for FOX’s “The Real Full Monty,” a dance performance designed to raise awareness about male cancers. As he did press for the special, the actor spoke candidly and emotionally about his journey.

Hilarie Burton, Sophia Bush and Danneel Harris Develop “One Tree Hill” Revival

In early September, the trade outlets reported Hilarie Burton (Peyton, One Tree Hill), Sophia Bush (Brooke, One Tree Hill), and Danneel Harris (Rachel, One Tree Hill) were developing a “One Tree Hill” revival that they would executive-produce for Netflix with Jensen Ackles (CJ, Dawson’s Creek) and others. Bush later expressed disappointment that the news had leaked, clarifying in multiple interviews that the project hadn’t been formally greenlit yet and might never actually come to fruition.

I expressed my utter dismay about the proposed series, which, frankly, has only grown in the months since as it’s become clear certain cast members have been excluded from the revival efforts. When will everyone learn to just leave well enough alone?

Tori Spelling Files for Divorce

It was in 2023 that Dean McDermott posted — and then deleted — a message on Instagram announcing he and Tori Spelling (Donna, Beverly Hills, 90210) were separating. But it was in March of this year that Spelling finally filed for divorce. The couple’s demise wasn’t terribly surprising given their roller-coaster relationship, which was oft documented by reality TV cameras, but I do admit I used to wonder whether Spelling would ever work up the nerve to actually pull the trigger.

Alas, she and McDermott have yet to settle their divorce and they seem to be getting along better now as they co-parent their five kids than they did before. Could I see a twist where they one day end up back together? Absolutely.

Hilarie Burton Leaves “Drama Queens,” Robert Buckley Joins

So much for rewatching all of “One Tree Hill.” In July, Burton unexpectedly announced she’d be leaving “Drama Queens” before the start of season 7, with Robert Buckley (Clay, One Tree Hill) taking her place. Fans did NOT take the news well, nor did I. Burton’s exit felt like a betrayal of a promise made to listeners, and added fuel to rumors of a rift between her and co-host Bethany Joy Lenz (Haley, One Tree Hill) — something Lenz seemed to confirm a few months later.

Burton has yet to make any return appearances despite saying she would, but this loss came with an equally unexpected gain: Buckley is actually really good on this podcast. As I recently wrote when reflecting on my season 7 rewatch and the podcast’s coverage, the actor has brought a unique sense of humor and refreshing analysis to “Drama Queens,” fostering a new dynamic with Lenz and Bush — even if the trio seem to be co-hosting together less and less, again adding to feud speculation, which Bush and Buckley tried to shut down last week.

Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling Launch Solo Podcasts

Jennie Garth (Kelly, Beverly Hills, 90210) added to her “9021OMG” hosting duties with not one but two additional podcasts this year. In April came “I Choose Me,” an effort to further exploit an iconic line from “Beverly Hills, 90210.” Then, in September, Garth partnered with Jana Kramer (Alex, One Tree Hill), Amy Robach, and T.J. Holmes on a podcast called “I Do, Part 2.” The actress also launched a clothing line this year called “Me by Jennie Garth.”

Meanwhile, right after she filed for divorce, Spelling debuted “misSpelling,” a podcast she seems more committed to than “9021OMG.” The actress missed countless weeks of the “Beverly Hills, 90210” rewatch podcast this year, including when she competed on “Dancing with the Stars.” (I still maintain she was eliminated way too early.) Some fans have expressed displeasure over “I Choose Me” and “misSpelling” appearing in the “9021OMG” podcast feed — but not nearly as many who have complained about Bush’s “Work in Progress” podcast being lumped in with “Drama Queens.”

Sophia Bush Comes Out as Queer

Bush was first reported to be seeing Ashlyn Harris in the fall of 2023, but it wasn’t until April of this year that she confirmed the relationship — and came out as queer. In an essay for Glamour, Bush opened up about the demise of her short marriage to Grant Hughes, her fertility journey, and being part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Days later, Bush and Harris made their red carpet debut. Now as the year ends, they still seem to be going strong.

Bethany Joy Lenz Reveals Cult Experience

More bizarre than Lenz being in a cult was how casually she mentioned it a couple of times on “Drama Queens,” as if it was a normal thing and a known thing. I and others had a Wait, did we just hear her correctly? reaction. Last year, Lenz confirmed we had, in fact, heard her correctly and that she’d be writing a book about the experience. That memoir, Dinner for Vampires, came out this past October, along with a People cover story and a slew of other press.

As I later shared, Dinner for Vampires was quite the meal. It was fascinating to learn about the double life Lenz was living while starring on “One Tree Hill.” But the book also left me hungry for more. I’m hoping the actress will write a follow-up about her post-escape recovery.

“Beyond the OC” Launches — and Then Quietly Ends

The end of “Welcome to the OC, Bitches” last year was followed months later by the news that Melinda Clarke (Julie, The O.C.) would be hosting a follow-up podcast with her daughter CG called “Beyond the OC.” It launched in May with the dual purpose of interviewing cast and crew members about their life beyond the show and counting down the top 50 episodes as voted on by fans.

I had the honor of being on one of the first few editions, discussing number 47, “The Safe Harbor” — an episode with some interesting parallels to “Beverly Hills, 90210.” Clarke also ran an associated Patreon through which we fans got to participate in Zoom chats with her and others connected to the series. Unfortunately, just last week, the actress announced it will all be coming to an end, despite reaching only number 33 on the countdown.

Conventions, Conventions and More Conventions

Much like last year, there were a number of cast reunions in 2024. “90s Con” took place in March and September, with Doherty and her “Beverly Hills, 90210” cast mates participating in the former event together before they reunited again without her for the first time since her passing. Several cast members also participated in other conventions this year, such as Steel City Con.

In May, a slew of “One Tree Hill” stars returned to Wilmington for the strike-delayed “20in23 Redemption Weekend” anniversary celebration. A group also came back in September for the “21TreeHill” event and again earlier this month for the “Tricmukkah Holiday Fundraiser,” and a large continent also found time to go to France for the “Tree Hill Is Your Home” convention. Friends With Benefit, the organization responsible for the Wilmington events, already announced its next one will take place in March, the same month the “Beverly Hills, 90210” crew will again hit “90s Con.”

Of course, there were some other notable moments this year, such as Joshua Jackson (Pacey, Dawson’s Creek) and Adam Brody (Seth, The O.C.) returning to the forefront of pop culture — the latter with help from Kristen Bell (Gossip Girl, Gossip Girl), Erin Foster (Heather, The O.C.), Sara Foster (Jen, 90210), and their show “Nobody Wants This.” We also had the news that a “Melrose Place” revival is in development with Laura Leighton (Sophie, Beverly Hills, 90210) and Daphne Zuniga (Victoria, One Tree Hill). And most recently, what seemed like a relatively normal celebrity feud between Blake Lively (Serena, Gossip Girl) and Justin Baldoni has turned into a continually escalating legal matter.

So, how does this teen drama year compare to years past? See for yourself…

Whatever 2025 has in store, I hope you’ll join me for the ride. TDW will continue to chronicle it all at no charge, though contributions are always welcome.

Happy New Year!