Elizabeth Berkley Has Good News for “Saved By the Bell” Fans
We’re going back to Bayside!
Peacock‘s reimagined version of Saved By the Bell is almost here and Elizabeth Berkley is spilling exciting season one scoop ahead of the Nov. 25 premiere.
“It was so surreal to be back at Bayside. From the graduation episode, the last time I had the gift of being in those hallways with red lockers was on Jimmy Fallon when we did a skit with him,” Berkley told E! News exclusively. “In that skit a few years ago, we were in the garb that we wore as kids. There was somethign really magical about dropping back into these hallways now. It is what you would call a full-circle moment, for sure.”
She added, “To get to come back with a whole new generation of kids and to get to kind of usher them in to this new experience in this new role was really, really profound and amazing.”
It’s been over 30 years since Saved By the Bell premiered on TV. The new version will be a mix of old and new with a crop of young hight school students joining original stars Berkley, Mario Lopez, Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Tiffani Thiessen.
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As for the show’s long-lasting legacy, Berkley promises the Peacock series will give O.G. fans all the feels.
Peacock is live now! Check out NBCU’s new streaming service here.
Governor Zack Morris
Mark-Paul Gosselaar initially wasn’t involved in the series despite Zack Morris factoring into the plot. However, the mixed-ish star ultimately heard from the powers that be and signed on—according to the Hollywood Reporter he’ll appear in three episodes and have a producer credit. The best part? Zack is now the governor of California.
Kelly Kapowski
Fans were initially uncertain whether or not Tiffani Thiessen would be joining the reboot, but thankfully, Kelly Kapowski is back! Making her return even sweeter is that she’s now married to Zack and serving as California’s first lady.
A.C. Slater
Mario Lopez is reprising his role as A.C. Slater, who’s now Bayside High’s athletic director! He’s at a point in his life where he really wants a win, so he sees this new group of kids coming in as that potential opportunity.
Jessie Spano
Like Slater, Jessie Spano, played by Elizabeth Berkley, is back at Bayside as an employee. She’s the school counselor, and her son, Jamie, is a student and current captain of the football team.
Trae Patton/Peacock
Lisa Turtle
Lark Voorhies is set to make a special appearance, reprising her role as Lisa Turtle.
Principal Toddman
Bye-bye Belding—Principal Toddman, played by John Michael Higgins, is the new sheriff in town, which means he’s constantly being pranked by his privileged students and yelled at by their entitled parents. But this all changes when Bayside gets an influx of new students and Toddman gets a second chance to really make a difference.
Mac Morris
Mitchell Hoog, whose credits include Harriet and Richard Jewell, will play Zack Morris and Kelly Kapowski’s son, Mac. He’s described as handsome, charming and privileged.
Jamie Spano
Belmont Cameili is Jamie Spano, son of Jessie Spano. Jamie is the captain of the Bayside football team and described as a “sensitive man-child.” His other credits include Empire and My Evil Stepdad.
Daisy
Haskiri Velazquez will play Daisy, an ambitious sophomore who is excited to attend Bayside High after her local school gets shut down. Velazquez’s other credits include Blue Bloods, The Birch and The 40-Year-old Version.
Devante
Dexter Darden, who starred in all three Maze Runner films, is Devante, another new student at Bayside. A bit of a loner, he might just end up using the fresh start as an opportunity to reinvent himself.
Lexi
Josie Totah is Lexi, the most popular girl and cheerleader at Bayside. She’s as loved as much as she’s feared. Her other credits include The Other Two, Champions and No Good Nick.
During Peacock’s TCA summer press tour, Totah expressed, “Getting to play just a transgender role on screen is obviously very rare. There is almost zero representation of people in the trans community. Which, growing up as a young trans girl, I feel like never seeing myself made me never feel truly accepted by the world.”
The trans actress called the role an “incredible opportunity,” especially since Lexi’s identity isn’t all about her being transgender. “My character is so many things. She’s in theater, she’s like evil. She’s the popular girl in school,” Totah added. “But she just happens to be transgender.”
Aisha
Alycia Pascual-Pena plays Aisha, Daisy’s ultra-competitive best friend who grew up playing on boys’ sports teams and causes a stir when she tries to play football at Bayside. Her other credits include MOXIE on Netflix.
Zack Attack Is Back!
Luckily for O.G. fans, it looks like we’ll get to see all four original co-stars perform a number together as their group Zack Attack during season one!
Chris Haston/Peacock
The Max Lives on
Much like the original, the new students at Bayside spend every day eating at Saved By the Bell‘s favorite hangout The Max! And yes: owner and original co-star Ed Alonzo still works there.
Peacock is live now! Check out NBCU’s new streaming service here.
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