The women of “Melrose Place” have reunited 30 years after first stirring up drama on the FOX nighttime soap, coming together for an epic new photo shoot. Fans are already buzzing over the nostalgic event.
In an Instagram post shared by PEOPLE magazine, the cast reunited for a moment unlike any other. Vanessa Estelle Williams, Josie Bissett, Heather Locklear, Daphne Zuniga, Laura Leighton, and Courtney Thorne-Smith all took part in the special reunion, an accompanying photo shoot, and interview, where the group acted as if no time has passed between them.
An Epic ‘Melrose Place’ Photo Shoot Celebrates The Cast and Their TV Legacy
In the 1990s, “Melrose Place” became a defining primetime soap, packed with romance, rivalry, and nonstop drama. The series quickly turned into a cultural phenomenon, captivating audiences with its storyline twists and unforgettable ensemble cast.
The women set a beauty standard as fans attempted to copy their hairstyles and fashion. Their on-screen style quickly became a defining look of the era and influenced trends throughout the show’s run, from 1992 through 1999.
In a slideshow of eight photos, a combination of solo shots and group images, Heather Locklear. 64, Daphne Zuniga, 63, Laura Leighton, 57, Courtney Thorne-Smith, 58, Vanessa Estelle Williams, 62, and Josie Bissett, 55. appear as if no time has passed from when they played some of the most unforgettable characters in nighttime soap history.
PEOPLE spoke to the actors, who were thrilled for this epic reunion opportunity.
Locklear said that all her co-stars “look the same,” while Bissett agreed, adding “everyone’s kindness is the same.”
Thorne-Smith added that there is a key difference between the cast reunion now and 30 years prior, when they were working together on the set of the FOX series. “What feels different is the lightness now. I was thinking about when we were all together: we’d be working 14 hours a day, then we’d have photo shoots on weekends, and we’d be tired. Now we’re like, ‘We get to go out of the house.'”
‘Melrose Place’ Set a Standard for ’90s Nighttime Soaps
The adult Aaron Spelling-produced series was an offshoot of “Beverly Hills 90210.” PEOPLE wrote that the delicious drama drew “upwards of 14 million people [who] tuned in each week to see who was sleeping with, blackmailing or attempting to murder whom.”
Created by Darren Star, “Melrose Place” focused on the scandalous lives, romances, and professional drama of young adults living in a West Hollywood apartment complex. Original male cast members included Andrew Shue, Thomas Calabro, Grant Show, Doug Savant, and Jack Wagner.’
As the years progressed, other residents moved into 4616 Melrose Place. These actors included Lisa Rinna, Linden Ashby, David Charvet, Amy Locane, Jamie Luner, Alyssa Milano, John Haymes Newton, Kelly Rutherford, and Vanessa A. Williams.
To PEOPLE, Zuniga, Bissett and Locklear admitted they didn’t know the series was as popular as it would become. Zuniga said, “We didn’t know because we were working 14-hour days.” Bissett added, “There was no social media either.”
However, Locklear realized the series’ popularity when they were on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine. She called that moment “awesome.”
The reunion photo shoot is a fun throwback to just how wildly popular “Melrose Place” was. Seeing the cast back together is a reminder of how much of a lasting impact the series had on a generation of viewers.
