The next season of 90210 would have to go on without good guy Ethan, as Entertainment Weekly has just reported that Canadian actor Dustin Milligan won’t be returning to the show this fall.  He may be one-half of the series’ central super couple, but he has no power over major decisions such as this.

An insider from the series revealed that Milligan’s contract option will not be picked up for 90210‘s sophomore run.  However, he might be back to wrap up his character’s story in a multi-episode arc.

Apparently, the reasons for Milligan’s departure are rooted in the creative vision of the writers and had nothing to do with financial matters.  Rebecca Rand Kirshner Sinclair, the new boss of 90210, admitted to EW‘s Michael Ausiello about season 2 being “significantly” different than the first.

It looks as if it’s going to be quite a reboot, especially with Sinclair’s idea to “reconceive things visually.”  She also maintained that “There are opportunities to embrace California culture visually in terms of fashion and style; I want it to be more contemporary.” 

“If Gossip Girl is about youth in New York,” she explains, “I want to [make 90210] about youth in L.A. and Beverly Hills.” 

Another point she’s hoping to raise is that 90210 won’t be relying on the original’s alums to boost their ratings.  This could also mean a farewell to the likes of Jennie Garth, Shannen Doherty, and Tori Spelling.  It only seems fit since writer-producer Sinclair already took the helm from the original show-running duo of Jeff Judah and Gabe Sachs.

“The show tried to be a lot of things to a lot of people in its first season,” Sinclair said.  “I think the center lies with the generation of kids that are in high school now.  I’m not interested in casting people for stunt value.”

This goes the same for Dustin Milligan, who’ll surely be missed.  “Everyone loves Ethan,” said the 90210 insider.  “There was just a feeling that the character had run its course.”

-Maria Gonzalez, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Entertainment Weekly
(Image Courtesy of The CW)

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Maria Gonzalez

Staff Writer, BuddyTV