'Saved By The Bell': 5 characters returning for the Peacock sequel and where is the original cast now?
If you've watched the original series 'Saved By The Bell' that ran from 1989-1993, then you were probably in love with the Bayside High gang, as much as we were. Now, adding to the anticipation and excitement that the series will bring as a sequel by Peacock, is the fact that most of the original cast - although much older - will be returning. Here are the five main characters coming back and let's catch up on what they were up to since their Bayside days.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Zack Morris
Gosselaar returns as Zach Morris, the once havoc causing teen and now the governor of California who finds himself in the middle of a controversy after closing too many low-income schools. His solution? Send the students from those schools to high-funded state schools like Bayside High. Gosselaar who won a Young Artist Award in 1991 for Best Young Actor Starring in an Off-Primetime Series for his role as Zack, much older now, has starred in episodes of 'The Twilight Zone' (1986) as Tim Conrad, 'The Wonder Years' (1988) as Brad Gaines and 'Punky Brewster' (1988) as Walker. He also played his 'Saved By The Bell' character Zack in 'Saved by the Bell: The College Years' (1993-1994), 'Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas' (1994), and 'Saved by the Bell: The New Class' (1994). His notable roles since including Dennis Sweeny in 'Hyperion Bay' (1998-1999), Pete Komisky in 'D.C' (2000), Det. John Clark Jr. in 'NYPD Blue' (2001-2005), Jake Ferris in 'John from Cincinnati' (2007), and Jerry Kellerman in 'Raising the Bar' (2008-2009). His recent works include 'Franklin & Bash' (2011-2014), 'Pitch' (2016), 'Nobodies' (2018) and even 'Mixed-ish' (2019-2020).
Mario Lopez as AC Slater
Lopez returns as AC Slater. Once a jock and still one, only now as Bayside High's gym teacher. He too continued his role as Slater in 'Saved by the Bell: The College Years', 'Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas', and 'Saved by the Bell: The New Class'. After that, Lopez's acting roles included officer Bobby Cruz, in 'Pacific Blue' (1998-2000), Dr Christian Ramírez in 'The Bold and the Beautiful' (2006), Dr Mike Hamoui in the TV series 'Nip/Tuck' (2006-2010). Besides acting, Lopez has taken on roles as being a host, producer, and writer. He has hosted/reported for 'Entertainment Tonight', 'America's Best Dance Crew, 'The X Factor USA' (2012-2013), co-host of 'Chi-Town Rising' (2015), and many more. He was also an executive producer and co-creator for the series 'The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia' (2020)!
Lark Voorhies as Lisa Turtle
Known as popular and well-dressed Lisa Turtle, Voorhies will return for the Peacock sequel as a successful fashionista. Since then she's had productive roles such as Wendy Reardon in 'Days of Our Lives' (1993-1994), Jasmine Malone in 'The Bold and the Beautiful' (1995-1996), Lisa in 'How to Be a Player' (1997), Lauren in 'How High' (2001), Mercedes Langford in 'In The House' (1997-1999) and Chandra in 'The Parkers' (1999). She's also authored three books 'Reciprocity' (2010), 'Trek of the Cheshire' (2010) and 'True Light' (2011)!
Tiffani Thiessen as Kelly Kapowski
Thiessen returns as Mac Morris's mother, Zack Morris's wife and the First Lady of California. Most would remember Thiessen as Elizabeth Burke from 'White Collar' (2009-2014), but the actress has been part of many productions since her days as Kelly. She's played the role of Jennifer in ' Charles in Charge' (1990), Heather McCoy in 'Married with Children' (1990), Ricki in 'Blossom' (1992), Marie Stein in 'Ivansxtc' (2000), and Honey DeLune in 'The Ladies Man' (2000). Currently, she plays the role of Lori Mendoza in Netflix’s 'Alexa & Katie' (2018-2020). She also served as producer for the film 'Buried Secrets' (1996), 'Just Pray' (2005), and the TV series 'Dinner at Tiffani's' (2015-2017) -- the latter is the actress' cooking show.
Elizabeth Berkley as Dr Jessie Spano
Berkley returns as Jamie Spano's (Belmont Cameli) mother, and once played a very involved student with reaching ambition in the original series. Since then she's been part of big-time productions with roles such as Naomi Malone in 'Showgirls' (1995), Phoebe LaVelle in 'The First Wives Club' (1996), Trudy in 'S Darko' (2009), Tina in 'The Real Blonde' (1997), Mandy Murphy in 'Any Given Sunday' (1999). She also has a bit of crime drama in her credits with shows such as 'NYPD Blue' (2000), 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation' (2003), and 'CSI: Miami' (2008-2009). Her other notable works include 'The L Word' (2009), 'Women in Trouble' (2009), 'Melissa & Joey' (2014), and 'New Girl' (2016).
Ed Alonzo returns as Max, now the owner of The Max and Patrick Thomas O'Brien returns as Mr Dewey, the Bayside High math teacher from the original 90's series.
'Saved By The Bell' premieres on November 25, on Peacock.