Laura Leighton Interview on the New Melrose Place Remake

Laura Leighton Q&A: The 'Melrose Place' Actress on Reprising Sydney, Being 'Presumably' Dead and More

Laura Leighton, as Jane's trouble-making sister Sydney Andrews, brought more sting and zing to the original 'Melrose Place' than a double dose of chlorine in the apartment complex's famous swimming pool. The guilty pleasure series is being revived with a new generation of angst-ridden beautiful people and -- move over Amanda -- this time Syd plays landlady. The new 'Melrose Place' premieres on the CW on Sept. 8 at 9PM ET.

The actress dished with AOL TV about reprising Sydney, rumors about the redheaded vixen's final fate, her thoughts on other original castmates visiting West Hollywood's most scandalous address ... and how she might show up on another nighttime soap. -- By Michael Maloney

What was the lure of joining the new 'Melrose'?
There was no hesitation. It was a no-brainer. I knew this would be something really fun to do. It wasn't just a pitch from the producers -- it was a [fully written] script and they said, "Please, read it!" I did, and I loved it. It's really unique and, at the same time, I think it captures the tone of a fun 'Melrose' show, but in a very modern way. We get to know the characters through various flashbacks. We see parts of the missing years. Melrose Place, the building, is a character. We find out what happened since last we saw all these characters.

What's it like revisiting Sydney?
It's great. She was a fun character the first time around. I was really happy to have the opportunity to play her again. The concept of this updated version is terrific; it's modern, edgy and fun to be a part of -- [laughs] even if I have to play the "old lady."

How is even Sydney alive? Wasn't she hit by a car and presumed dead?
Yes. It happened pretty much on-camera. "Presumed" is the operative word. I presumed Sydney was dead, but apparently, she wasn't.

There are rumors that the show starts off with Sydney's corpse being found in the pool by Thomas Calabro's character, Michael. Can you confirm or deny that?
Well, the way you've described it isn't entirely accurate, but it is accurate to say that there will be many flashback scenes that put together the pieces of many puzzles. There will be some exploring of things in retrospect.

How has Sydney changed over the years?
Well, she's older. Did I mention that?

You did, but you don't look it!
Thank you. I think she's paying for some of her past mistakes and is trying to come to terms with who she is and accepting the fact that some things have not changed.

What's it like going back to work?
Well, we have a lot of kids at home so it's almost easier to spend a day on set. Ask [my husband] Doug [Savant, who played Matt on the original 'Melrose' and now stars as Tom on 'Desperate Housewives'], and he'll say it's much easier on the set. When I left the house, Doug and the kids were having dinner at the table. I said goodbye to them, but they called me over and said that they wanted to see how I looked. I got an "Oh, Mom!"

'Melrose' promos -- like ones last year for the CW's revival of '90210' -- feature familiar favorites from the original series. You guys are the ones people want to see.
[Laughs] Well, we totally appreciate you saying that! But I think [the network's] intentions are to launch a new generation. I think what's intriguing about 'Melrose' is that they try to incorporate the old generation as a part of it. They tie the past to the present and are exploring how the two generations intersect.

Grant Show, who played Jake on the original and is set to star on CBS' 'Accidentally on Purpose,' said that he's open to coming back for some shows. Would you like to see that?
We'd like to see everybody come back. I think everybody's interested to some extent depending on their availability. I'm sure that the producers would like to see everybody and anyone who's available to at least make a visit.

I was expecting you to pop up on 'Desperate Housewives.'
Marc [Cherry, creator of 'Desperate Housewives'] has said he'd love to have a scene where Doug and Felicity [Huffman, who plays his wife Lynette] have dinner with a couple played by Bill Macy [Huffman's real-life husband] and me. That's a funny idea. I'm sure if he can figure out a way to do it, he will!