To fans of the original â€Melrose Place†who have been hesitant to check out the new series on The CW - now might be the time to start watching. It was just announced that Heather Locklear will be reprising her role as scheming vixen Amanda Woodward in November.Locklear joined the original â€Melrose†at the end of its first season. She was originally slated as a â€special guest starâ€; however, she stayed with the series through its seventh and final season (and the â€special guest star†tag in the opening credits was never removed.) Producers had originally brought her on to help boost the sluggish ratings, and it worked †Locklear was one of the more popular cast members during the series’ run. She was originally asked to come back at the start of the reboot’s freshmen season. Locklear was to once again play the landlord of the complex, only to be killed off by the end of the first episode. Locklear apparently did not approve of the death of her iconic character, and therefore declined. The next offer went to actress Laura Leighton, who played the troubled Sidney during the show’s original run. Sidney Andrews, now the landlady of the complex, was killed off in episode one, and now the events surrounding her murder are currently being revealed flashbacks."We're ecstatic to have the chance to bring Amanda Woodward back to 'Melrose Place,'" said executive producers Todd Slavkin & Darren Swimmer. "Heather's involvement in the show is something we've been working on for some time as we couldn't imagine creating and producing this show without the iconic character's inclusion." Locklear will make her debut appearance on the November 13 episode. Aside from Leighton, Locklear will be joining original castmates Thomas Calabro, Josie Bissett and Daphne Zuniga in the updated version. Thomas Calabro has been with the new show since its premiere, while Josie Bissett is set to appear in episode four. Bissett plays Jane Andrews, Sidney’s sister, and she will be taking over her sister’s duties as landlord. No word on when Zuniga’s first airdate will be.I would assume that Locklear wanted to hold out for a better script that did not result in the murder of her character. I’m sure fans will be happy as well that their favorite landlord will not be floating facedown in the complex swimming pool. The new show’s ratings, while not terrible for The CW, could still use a boost, and so the situation seems reminiscent of the first time around, when Locklear joined the original. Her return is sure to boost ratings, but the question is, if Locklear doesn’t stick around, will the ratings stay up? There has been no announcements on just how long Locklear will be hanging around the complex."Melrose Place," airs Tuesdays (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on The CW. The CW airs on channel 56 in the Boston area. By: Frank Bilotta
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