Fans of the original 1990s TV sitcom Saved by the Bell better grab their books and give themselves a look as soon as possible. They might miss out on a trip back to Bayside High, which seems to have gotten a lot more diverse over the last few decades.
The first official trailer for the upcoming revival of the teen comedy hit the web this week and purists will be happy to see that most of the original cast is back playing older versions of their characters. This includes popular jock A.C. Slater (Mario Lopez), who is now a gym teacher at his alma mater.
Along with Lopez, at least three Latinx actors look to have significant roles in the series. Haskiri Velazquez (The Forty-Year-Old Version) plays Daisy, a book smart sophomore who transfers to Bayside after California governor Zach Morris (you heard that right) shuts down her low-income high school. Alycia Pascual-Peña (TV’s The Plug) stars as Aisha, Daisy’s competitive best friend who tries out for the school’s football team.
Based on the trailer, the series looks like it will hit on some major themes about privilege, race and socioeconomic status. “Why is everybody so rich?” Pascual-Peña’s Aisha asks Daisy when they step onto the Bayside campus.
Actor Abraham Rodriguez (TV’s Power Rangers Beast Morphers) will also be featured as a Bayside student named Spencer, who gets yelled at in the trailer by the new principal played by actor John Michael Higgins (Pitch Perfect franchise). Plus, did you know that Max, magician and owner of the Max Café from the original series, is played by Mexican American comedian Ed Alonzo? He’s back for the reboot, too.
Also returning to the show with Lopez and Alonzo is Elizabeth Berkley as Jessie Spano in a main role as the mother of a Bayside football player, and Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Tiffani Thiessen as Zack and Kelly in recurring roles. So, who’s ready for a Bayside reunion?
As Jessie Spano would say, “I’m so excited, I’m so excited!”
The new Saved By the Bell premieres on Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, November 25, 2020.
