Teen Drama Links for February 25, 2025
Did “Starstruck” leave me starstruck?
I finally binged Max’s romantic-comedy series after it was on my “watch list” for a few years (and not chosen by you all for me to watch last year).
The verdict: I can’t say I was starstruck and in awe of the series, but I did love it a lot.
In particular, I was blown away by creator, writer, director and lead actress Rose Matafeo (Jessie). Her acting, energy, vibe, personality, humor (from her physical comedy and facial expressions to her line readings and quips) — I loved her and her character, flaws and all. Even her accent had me hooked (admittedly, I’m a sucker for Australian and New Zealand accents).
I wasn’t nearly as enamored with lead actor Nikesh Patel. At times his Tom did make me swoon, but for the most part, I didn’t find him appealing and I didn’t think his acting was that great, which is ironic given that the character is an actor.
My second-favorite character ended up being Jessie’s best friend Kate, played by Emma Sidi. The two of them cracked me up, together and apart. Since I don’t watch a lot of comedy, I can’t remember the last time I laughed aloud this much watching a show. What a mood-booster!
While the three six-episode seasons made the show quite easy to binge, I think the short length hurt the storytelling a bit. The breakups and makeups felt incessant, in part because while the show’s timeline might have had time-jumps, it didn’t feel that way for me as a viewer. A lot of the coming together and breaking apart happened in rapid succession with back-to-back episodes, so it felt a bit like a merry-go-round with little time to breathe between rides.
But there’s no denying Matafeo’s all-around brilliance. That’s reason enough to watch.
Teen Drama Links for February 25, 2025
Listicle Links
Reminder: All lists and articles relate to the teen dramas or teen drama stars in some way.
“Which ‘School Spirits’ Character Are You Most Like?” (BuzzFeed)
“12 Male Actor Transformations That Were So Bad, They Almost Ruined The Shows And Movies” (BuzzFeed)
“‘Dawson’s Creek’ home to be sold and moved, auctioneer talks through sale” (Port City Daily)
Catch the mistake here?
“SAG Awards 2025: Everybody Wants to See Adam Brody and Leighton Meester’s Date Night” (E! Online)
“Kelsey Anderson Reveals How Dad Mark Met Barbara Alyn Woods, Whether She’s Watched ‘OTH’” (Us Weekly)
“Here’s Why You Recognize Suits LA’s Bryan Greenberg” (NBC)
“The 10 Best Teen Dramas of the 1990s, Ranked” (Collider)
“10 TV Shows That Became Unrecognizable After A Few Seasons” (Screen Rant)
“10 Great TV Reboots That Were Canceled Way Too Soon” (CBR)
“10 Controversial Actor Exits That Ruined Popular TV Shows” (Slashfilm)
Related: Teen Drama Actors Who Left Their Series (TDW)
“32 TV Homes That I Always Wanted To Explore Or Live In” (Cinemblend)
“5 Pop Songs That Backed Pivotal TV Moments” (American Songwriter)
“20 TV show deaths we still haven’t gotten over” (Yardbarker)
Related: Top 10 Most Shocking Deaths (TDW)
“The 25 most iconic ‘SNL’ sketches from the 21st cent[u]ry” (Yardbarker)
“Friends Vs. Frasier & 9 Other TV Show Head-To-Heads That Defined An Era” (Screen Rant)
“The best seasons of Yellowstone, Succession, and 84 more shows” (Entertainment Weekly)
“11 Hot ‘90s Men That Completely Influenced Baby Names” (Scary Mommy)
“Today in History: Saturday, February 22, 2025” (Programming Insider)
Best of the Rest
At Sunday’s SAG Awards…
Adam Brody (Seth, The O.C.) and Kristen Bell (Gossip Girl, Gossip Girl) lost in their respective categories. (Deadline)
See SAG interviews with Brody and Bell below.
Bell, as host, did a bit in her “Gossip Girl” voice with Leighton Meester (Blair, Gossip Girl) and also did a separate bit with Brody. (Entertainment Weekly / People / People)
Watch part of Bell’s monologue… (YouTube)
Max Greenfield (Young Sandy, The O.C.) and Keke Palmer (Elizabeth, 90210) were among the presenters.
The in memoriam included Shannen Doherty (Brenda, Beverly Hills, 90210), Nicholas Pryor (Chancellor Arnold, Beverly Hills, 90210), Linda Lavin (Sophie, The O.C.), and Bill Cobbs (Gus, One Tree Hill).
Eva Longoria, who appeared on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” was featured in a montage showing actors who started on daytime soaps.
Sebastian Stan (Carter, Gossip Girl) received a shoutout from Jane Fonda during her Life Achievement Award acceptance speech.
Demi Moore, mother of Rumer Willis (Gia, 90210), won for Female Actor in a Leading Role in a Motion Picture.
A montage celebrating Los Angeles in film and television featured a clip from “Beverly Hills, 90210” and the theme song from “The O.C.”
Darren Star (creator, Beverly Hills, 90210) had two TV developments last week.
“Peacock Nabs Darren Star & Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas’ ‘Climbing In Heels’ With Big Commitment” (Deadline)
“Netflix Nabs Darren Star & David Schulner’s Napa Valley Dramedy ‘Uncorked’ With Big Commitment” (Deadline)
Jason Priestley (Brandon, Beverly Hills, 90210) “Talks Relationship Dynamic of 90210 Cast 25 Years Later — and Admits Not Much Has Changed.” (People)
Of course, they mean “Beverly Hills, 90210” — not “90210.” (TDW)
Priestley reflected on hosting “Saturday Night Live” in honor of the show’s 50th anniversary. (The Canadian Press)
Related: Teen Drama Stars Who Hosted “SNL” (TDW)
“Wild Cards,” featuring Priestley, will soon air in more countries. (Deadline)
Jennie Garth (Kelly, Beverly Hills, 90210) wrote an essay for the winter issue of NewBeauty. (NewBeauty)
Catch the mistakes here?
Garth and Carla Hall (Rocky, Gossip Girl spinoff) will participate in “The World’s Hottest Menopause Party” on Saturday. (Tamsen Fadal)
Denise Richards (Robin, Beverly Hills, 90210 / Denise, BH90210 / Gwen, 90210) covers the March 3 issue of People.
Watch Longoria in the trailer for Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip. (YouTube)
Gabriel Macht, who also appeared on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” did interviews about appearing in “Suits: LA.”
“Gabriel Macht reveals why he’s returning for Suits LA despite thinking ‘we spent enough time with Harvey’” (Entertainment Weekly)
“Gabriel Macht on Why Returning as Harvey Specter in ‘Suits LA’ Was the ‘Right Thing’ to Do: ‘I Did Think About the Fans’” (Variety)
“Dawson’s Creek” is now available to stream via Amazon in the UK. (Digital Spy)
Michelle Williams (Jen, Dawson’s Creek) will star in A Place in Hell with Daisy Edgar-Jones of “Normal People.” (Deadline)
John Wesley Shipp (Mitch, Dawson’s Creek) is leading a production of The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial. (Instagram)
La Dolce Villa, starring Scott Foley (Cliff, Dawson’s Creek), topped Netflix’s viewing chart. (Deadline)
Sarah Shahi (Sadia, Dawson’s Creek) did more interviews for “Paradise.”
“Sarah Shahi Is Busy Playing God on ‘Paradise’” (The Hollywood Reporter)
“‘Paradise’ Star Sarah Shahi on Torabi and Xavier’s Future After Sinatra’s Bombshell Reveal” (Variety)
“Sarah Shahi Dreamed Of Working With Dan Fogelman For Over A Decade. Then ‘Paradise’ Came Along.” (Decider)
“Sarah Shahi Talks Filming Intimate Scenes With Sterling K. Brown In ‘Paradise’” (Access Hollywood)
“‘I Gasped Throughout’: Paradise’s Julianne Nicholson & Sarah Shahi on Their Complex Roles” (CBR)
Seth Rogen (Bob, Dawson’s Creek) will appear in and produce The Wrong Girls. (Deadline)
Rachael Leigh Cook (Devon, Dawson’s Creek) did a handful of TV interviews for Sisterhood, Inc.
“Rachael Leigh Cook & Daniella Monet star in ‘Sisterhood, Inc.’” (NBC Los Angeles)
“Rachel [sic] Leigh Cook and Daniella Monet Talk About Their New Hallmark Movie!” (Good Day Sacramento)
“Rachael Leigh Cook, Daniella Monet share a sneak peek of ‘Sisterhood, Inc.’” (FOX13)
“Rachael Leigh Cook & Daniella Monet: Hallmark’s ‘Sisterhood, Inc.’” (KATU)
Here are red carpet interviews Brody gave at the SAG Awards…
“Adam Brody Teases ‘Repercussions’ For Rabbi Noah In ‘Nobody Wants This’ Season 2 Following Move To Prioritize Love Over Work” (Deadline)
“Adam Brody on Working With Wife Leighton Meester in Next Season of ‘Nobody Wants This’” (The Hollywood Reporter)
Autumn Reeser (Taylor, The O.C.) will be co-leading a wellness retreat in Arizona in April. (Sacred Sisters)
Eric Mabius (Dean Hess, The O.C.) was arrested for battery and resisting an officer without violence following an incident in Florida. (TMZ)
Chris Brown (Will, The O.C.) won Outstanding Male Artist and the aforementioned Palmer was named Entertainer of the Year and Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety Series or Special at Saturday’s NAACP Image Awards. (Deadline)
Brown also won Outstanding International Song while The Six Triple Eight, featuring Austin Nichols (Julian, One Tree Hill), won Outstanding Motion Picture and Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture, among other honors.
Erin Foster (Heather, The O.C.) and Sara Foster (Jen, 90210) will executive-produce a TV adaptation of Hotter in the Hamptons. (Deadline)
Josh Schwartz (creator, The O.C. / creator, Gossip Girl / executive producer, Gossip Girl spinoff) announced the birth of his third child. (Instagram)
Bethany Joy Lenz (Haley, One Tree Hill) will host the Love146 Red Gala next month. (Instagram)
Sophia Bush (Brooke, One Tree Hill) participated in Elle’s “Office Hours” series. (Elle)
Lee Norris (Mouth, One Tree Hill), Bevin Prince (Bevin, One Tree Hill), Colin Fickes (Jimmy, One Tree Hill), Devin McGee (Xavier, One Tree Hill), and Jaeden Earle (Lydia, One Tree Hill) are the latest to sign on for Friends With Benefit’s “The Show Must Go On” event. (Facebook)
Tyler Hilton (Chris, One Tree Hill) did an interview about his “Celebrating the Music of One Tree Hill” tour and revealed he wrote a children’s book called Daddy Live in Concert. (WCCB)
Bryan Greenberg (Jake, One Tree Hill) has a short interview in the March 3 issue of People. (People)
A few Joe Manganiello (Owen, One Tree Hill) updates…
“Joe Manganiello Teases ‘DONDI’ Banker Is ‘Connected’ to Deal or No Deal’s ‘Extended Universe’” (Us Weekly)
“Joe Manganiello Reveals He Got Unexpectedly ‘Choked Up’ When Asked About This Late Friend” (People)
“SXSW Adds Issa Rae, Joe Manganiello, Conan O’Brien, Kevin Bacon & More Speakers To Lineup” (Deadline)
Gavin DeGraw, who performs the “One Tree Hill” theme song, announced his 2025 tour. (Instagram)
Blake Lively (Serena, Gossip Girl) filed an amended complaint in her legal battle with Justin Baldoni and others associated with It Ends With Us. (Deadline)
Penn Badgley (Dan, Gossip Girl) participated in a live taping of the “Modern Love” podcast. (People)
Meester made the media rounds for “Good Cop/Bad Cop.”
“Leighton Meester Talks Good Cop/Bad Cop’s Quirky Gilmore Girls-Meets-Twin Peaks Vibe, Adam Brody’s Guest Spot” (TVLine)
“Leighton Meester & Luke Cook Reveal Portraying Siblings In ‘Good Cop/Bad Cop’ Was ‘So Natural’” (Access Hollywood)
“Leighton Meester Reacts To Adam Brody’s Sweet Critics Choice Shoutout: So ‘Proud To Be By His Side’” (Access Hollywood)
“Leighton Meester Reacts to Husband Adam Brody’s ‘Hot Rabbi’ Nickname” (E! Online)
“Will Leighton Meester Return to Music? She Says…” (E! Online)
“Leighton Meester, Luke Cook of The CW’s ‘Good Cop/Bad Cop’ chat with Daybreak” (KDVR)
“Leighton Meester tours the set of ‘Good Cop/Bad Cop’” (News Nation)
“Catching up with Leighton Meester and Luke Cook from ‘Good Cop/Bad Cop’” (WPRI)
“Leighton Meester catches up with Today” (Today)
“Good Cop Bad Cop’s Leighton Meester and Luke Cook on their cosy crime comedy” (The Nightly)
“Exclusive: Leighton Meester on working with ‘best friend’ and husband Adam Brody” (The Sydney Morning Herald)
“Exclusive: Leighton Meester reveals the sneaky way husband Adam Brody scored a cameo in her new series Good Cop/Bad Cop” (nine.com.au)
“EXCLUSIVE: Leighton Meester & Luke Cook dish on filming Good Cop Bad Cop in Australia” (New Idea)
“We asked Leighton Meester about working with her husband. She gently trolled us.” (Mamamia)
“INTERVIEW: Leighton Meester & Luke Cook” (NOVA FM)
Meester will guest-star in season two of “Nobody Wants This.” (Variety)
The show, of course, stars Brody and Bell, and is executive-produced by Bell and the Foster sisters.
Also: “‘She’s finally going to meet the real gossip girl’: Fans react hilariously to Leighton Meester being cast in ‘Nobody Wants This’ season 2” (SoapCentral)
Plus: “Kristen Bell Teases ‘Nemesis’ Leighton Meester’s Nobody Wants This Storyline” (E! Online)
And: “Jackie Tohn Reacts To Her Upgraded Role In ‘Nobody Wants This’ Season 2 And Leighton Meester’s Casting: ‘Such A Dream’” (Decider)
The aforementioned Stan lost at Saturday’s Film Independent Spirit Awards. (Deadline)
Forgot to mention last week that Stan lost at the BAFTAs. Womp womp.
Here are interviews Bell did for the SAG Awards…
“SAG Host Kristen Bell Says Awards Season Has ‘a Greater Level of Importance’ After the L.A. Fires” (People)
“Kristen Bell Says She Doesn’t Know If Husband Dax Shepard Will Be Joining Her at the SAG Awards — Here’s Why” (People)
“Kristen Bell Reflects on Success of Nobody Wants This and Why the Netflix Rom-Com Came at the ‘Right Time’” (People)
“SAG Awards Host Kristen Bell Jokes She’d Put Money on a Wicked-Inspired Performance Number Happening” (People)
“Kristen Bell’s Biggest Fear About Hosting the 2025 SAG Awards Is That She’ll Win One” (Vanity Fair)
“Kristen Bell Calls Leighton Meester a ‘Wonderful’ Addition to ‘Nobody Wants This’” (Extra)
AnnaLynne McCord (Naomi, 90210) was on the “Heal 2 Feel” podcast. (Apple Podcasts)
Arielle Kebbel (Vanessa, 90210) did interviews for “Rescue: HI-Surf.”
“‘Rescue: HI-Surf’: Arielle Kebbel on Em & Will’s ‘Poor Choices’ & Shocking Finale” (TV Insider)
“Arielle Kebbel Gives Insight Into ‘Rescue: HI-Surf’ Stunts, Promises Shocking Finale for Em and Will” (Us Weekly)
“Arielle Kebbel — a.k.a. Gilmore Girls’ Lindsay — Is Living for That Serial Killer Edit of Dean” (Us Weekly)
“Arielle Kebbel Jokes She’s Rooting for Taylor Swift at the Super Bowl” (Extra)
I’m a little late with this one!
Stephen Amell (Jim, 90210) did interviews for “Suits: LA.”
“Stephen Amell talks ‘Suits LA’ role, reveals crossover details” (Today)
“Stephen Amell takes on ‘Suits LA’ in style” (NBC New York)
“Stephen Amell on Why ‘Suits’ Spinoff is a 'Really Big Deal’” (Newsweek)
“Stephen Amell ‘Didn’t Really Know Anything’ About Suits Prior to Auditioning for Suits LA” (People)
“Stephen Amell Says His Daughter, 11, Helped Him Read Lines for Suits LA Pilot — Including This NSFW Quote” (People)
“Suits LA stars say new Suits spinoff is like Entourage meets Mad Men” (Entertainment Weekly)
“‘Suits LA’: Stephen Amell Talks Major Change Playing Ted Black & Lawyer’s Secret Side” (TV Insider)
“Stephen Amell Talks ‘Suits: LA’ Spinoff” (Channel Guide Magazine)
Alan Ritchson (Tripp, 90210) did interviews for “Reacher.”
“Alan Ritchson talks ‘Reacher’ Season 3, workout routine, marriage” (Today)
“Fans Love Watching Alan Ritchson Mete Out Rough Justice As ‘Reacher’” (The Late Show)
“Can Reacher’s Alan Ritchson Get Any Bigger?” (GQ)
“‘Reacher’ actor Alan Ritchson shares how he got so ripped: corned beef, cookies, and push-ups” (Business Insider)
“‘Reacher’ actor Alan Ritchson says ‘monster’ 7ft bodybuilder Olivier Richters accidentally punched him on set” (Business Insider)
“Alan Ritchson And Lee Child On ‘Reacher’ Season 3 And The Dutch Giant” (Forbes)
“In ‘Reacher’ Season 3, foes and feels are bigger for Alan Ritchson’ action hero: Preview” (USA Today)
“Alan Ritchson Details Epic ‘Reacher’ Fight Sequence That Took Three Weeks to Film” (The Hollywood Reporter)
“Alan Ritchson talks getting wet and (nearly) naked in Reacher season 3: ‘Not the funnest for me’” (Entertainment Weekly)
“Alan Ritchson Previews Reacher’s Season 3 Brawls With 7-Foot-2 Foe: ‘I’m Happy to Never Repeat Them!’” (TVLine)
“‘Reacher’: Alan Ritchson & Maria Sten Reveal How ‘Dark’ Season 3’s Big Bad Is” (TV Insider)
“Reacher star Alan Ritchson weighs in on the running joke that the action hero never goes to the gym in the Prime Video series: ‘It’s a little ridiculous’” (GamesRadar+)
“One Wild Reacher Season 3 Stunt Made Alan Ritchson Bleed For Eight Grueling Takes” (Slashfilm)
“‘Reacher’: Why Alan Ritchson Admits He’s ‘Always Panicked’ Over Show” (Extra)
… and more.
Steven Krueger, who appeared on “90210,” did interviews for “Yellowjackets.”
“‘Yellowjackets’ Star Steve Krueger Weighs in on Whether Coach Ben Burned Down the Cabin” (Parade)
“‘Yellowjackets’ Steven Krueger Teases How Season 3 Delivers Major Answers Fans ‘Won’t See Coming’” (Us Weekly)
“Steven Krueger Says ‘The Vampire Diaries’ Fans Always Recognize Girlfriend Candice King — But Not Him” (Us Weekly)
“Steven Krueger Reveals If He Has Plans to Work With Girlfriend Candice King After ‘Vampire Diaries’” (Us Weekly)
“‘Yellowjackets’: Steven Krueger Gushes Over Candice King as They Make Red Carpet Debut as Couple” (Entertainment Tonight)
“Steven Krueger from YELLOWJACKETS” (FOX5)
“‘Yellowjackets’ Cast Breaks Down This Week’s Gruesome Hallucinations’ (The Daily Beast)