Brenda Walsh, portrayed by Shannen Doherty, was the initial lead female character of the television drama Beverly Hills 90210.

Bolder, more sensitive, and prone to rebellion, Brenda differed somewhat from twin brother Brandon. The key exploration of her character came during a series of episodes involving a forbidden romance with Brandon's loner friend Dylan McKay—who had long had the attention of Brenda's friend Kelly (Jennie Garth) as well. Just before being driven away to the airport for a summer trip to Paris, Brenda, in a brief omen, would glance back with a look of concern upon seeing Dylan and Kelly walking off together.

A summer fling would soon occur between a resistant Kelly and Dylan. This, and the triangle that followed, would become a series milestone that helped boost the show's popularity, and, intentional or not, mirrored to an extent the reported real-life competitive relationship between Doherty and Garth. The final confrontation between Brenda, Dylan, and Kelly—in which he would inform Brenda that he'd chosen her friend—was listed by Entertainment Weekly as one of their 100 Greatest Television Moments.

In time she would go on to nearly marry a young man named Stuart and briefly become an animal activist, a story line in which her rebellious side came into play once again. Her friendships with Kelly and Dylan would heal as well, and once the pair eventually broke up, Brenda learned of the brewing romance between Kelly and Brandon, and expressed her blessing.

In similar fashion to how she had once left before, Brenda departed the series by kissing Dylan goodbye and leaving for London, planning at first on coming back in the fall. This, however, was not to be, but years later, the two were reunited for a time off-screen after Dylan himself moved away.

television drama characters