Every once in a while, a show comes around that has a profound impact on an entire generation. These shows are exceptionally rare, but their significance cannot be overstated. Every generation has at least one show that younger audiences get hooked on, and during the 90s, 90210 became that show shortly after its debut.

The series dominated the entire decade, and fans spent the decade growing up and maturing alongside their favorite characters. Jason Priestley became a mega star on the show, but he wound up leaving before the series reached an end, much to the dismay of fans.

So, does Priestley regret leaving 90210 earlier than he should have? Let’s see what he’s had to say about the way things ended and how he feels about it.

90210 Was A Mega Hit In The 90s

During the 90s, there was a major shift on the small screen, as shows were slowly transforming from what fans had grown accustomed to in the 80s. One of the biggest shows of the 90s was 90210, which focused on rich kids down in Beverly Hills.

90210 made its debut in 1990 and wound up becoming a fixture of the decade, running all the way until 2000. The show’s young stars, including Jason Priestley, wound up becoming huge names in the industry thanks to their time on the show, and loads of doors were opened for them to expand their careers down the line.

Jason Priestley played Brandon Walsh on the show, effectively serving as the lead character. Brandon and his family moved to the filthy rich area of California after leaving their home in Minneapolis, kicking off what wound up becoming one of the biggest shows of all time. Fans were instantly hooked, and the stars of the show were immediately thrust into the spotlight.

Thanks to starring on the show, Jason Priestley became a household name and was immensely popular with younger audiences. He starred on the show for nearly every single season, but fans were shocked to see the performer hit the road before the show reached its conclusion.

Related: Did The Cast Of ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ Get Paid A Lot For The Reboot?

Priestley Left The Show Early

The news of Priestley hitting the road was something that no one saw coming, and the performer was clearly done with the show and ready for something new.

When speaking with CNN in 2014, Priestley would touch on his decision to leave all those years ago. “I felt that the character of Brandon had kind of run his course. I had explored everything I wanted to explore with him,” Priestley said.

After leaving the show, Priestley would continue to land roles on the big and small screen, but he was coming nowhere close to matching what he had done on 90210. Most performers are unable to replicate their past success after starring on a popular show, but this does not mean that all is lost. It simply shows how difficult it is to find a hit role.

Since his days in Beverly Hills, Priestley has appeared in projects like How I Met Your Mother, CSI, Tru Calling, and Psych. He has steadily pulled down work over the last 21 years, proving that studios still enjoy casting him in projects. Not only that, but it also shows that his fans still love watching him perform as much as they did back in the 90s.

Related: Did Luke Perry Get Along With His ‘90210’ Co-Stars?

He Regrets His Decision

After leaving a hit series early, one has to wonder how Priestley feels about the entire thing. Another year of 90210 would have been a satisfying end for the fans and the folks making the show, and Priestley himself has acknowledged that he should have seen things through.

When speaking with CNN, Priestley would say, “In retrospect, I do regret leaving. Understanding what I do now about story and character, I believe that [Aaron Spelling] was pushing the story in a direction that would have had Brandon and Kelly end up together at the end of the show and I think I probably should have stuck around to its fruition.”

Not only does Priestley wish that he would have finished out the show, but he also acknowledged the negative impact that his decision had on others, including the show’s executive producer, Aaron Spelling.

“I think my departure also hurt Aaron’s feelings. Aaron and I had worked very closely together for a number of years. He gave me a lot of opportunities, and I feel like my departure hurt his feelings and I never meant to do that,” said Priestley.

Related: How ‘90210’ Star Jason Priestley Amassed His $16 Million Net Worth

As great as 90210 was for Jason Priestley’s career, he still has regrets about leaving the show earlier than he should have.

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