Saved by the Bell: The New Class premiered in 1993 as a spin-off to the iconic teen sitcom Saved by the Bell. The original Saved by the Bell had an incredible impact on pop culture and youth television in the late 80s and early 90s. With its success, The New Class was developed to continue the tradition of lighthearted comedy mixed with teenage dilemmas, set in the fictional Bayside High School.
While The New Class didn’t quite reach the same level of fame as its predecessor, it lasted for an impressive seven seasons, running from 1993 to 2000. The series followed a new group of students at Bayside, with a rotating cast throughout its run. Let’s dive into the key members of Saved by the Bell: The New Class cast, some of whom stayed for multiple seasons and left their mark on the series.
Dennis Haskins as Principal Richard Belding
The most consistent figure in The New Class was none other than Principal Richard Belding, portrayed by Dennis Haskins. Haskins reprised his role from the original Saved by the Bell, providing continuity between the two shows. Belding was the kind-hearted, often bumbling, but well-meaning authority figure who always had the best interests of his students at heart.
In The New Class, Principal Belding continued to serve as the head of Bayside High, often getting entangled in the antics of the new group of students. His character remained a beloved figure, offering guidance, humor, and the occasional life lesson. Haskins’ presence on the show gave a sense of stability as the student cast members changed throughout the series.
Dustin Diamond as Samuel “Screech” Powers
Another tie to the original series was Dustin Diamond, who reprised his role as Samuel “Screech” Powers. In The New Class, Screech returns to Bayside not as a student but as Mr. Belding’s administrative assistant. His goofy, clumsy personality remained intact, and Screech quickly became an integral part of the school’s staff.
Diamond’s portrayal of Screech carried a nostalgic appeal for fans of the original show. Although his character matured somewhat (albeit in Screech’s own awkward way), he still provided comic relief and often found himself in humorous predicaments. Screech’s involvement in The New Class was an attempt to connect with the original Saved by the Bell audience, and his character remained a fan favorite.
The Original Students of The New Class
When The New Class premiered in 1993, the show introduced a fresh batch of Bayside High students. However, much like its predecessor, the cast experienced several changes over the course of its run. Some characters stayed for multiple seasons, while others were replaced with new faces. The original students included:
Robert Sutherland Telfer as Scott Erickson
Scott Erickson, played by Robert Sutherland Telfer, was the “Zack Morris” of The New Class. Like Zack, Scott was a charming schemer who frequently found himself getting into trouble. He often tried to manipulate situations for his benefit, but his plans rarely worked out as intended. Scott’s antics, particularly his attempts to woo the girls of Bayside, drove much of the early plotlines in the first season.
Though Telfer’s character only lasted for the first season, Scott Erickson set the tone for The New Class, giving viewers a glimpse of the familiar mischievous charm that had defined the original show.
Isaac Lidsky as Barton “Weasel” Wyzell
Isaac Lidsky portrayed Barton “Weasel” Wyzell, who served as the nerdy sidekick to Scott Erickson. In many ways, Weasel was meant to be the Screech of The New Class. Like Screech, Weasel was academically gifted but socially awkward, often finding himself the target of pranks or the butt of jokes. His eccentric behavior provided comic relief during the first season, but the character was written off after the initial run.
Bianca Lawson as Megan Jones
Megan Jones, played by Bianca Lawson, was one of the more well-rounded characters in The New Class. She was intelligent, driven, and often served as the moral center for her friends. Megan was a straight-A student who took her academic responsibilities seriously, but she wasn’t afraid to stand up to her friends when they crossed a line. Despite her good-girl image, Megan still managed to be involved in the group’s hijinks.
Though Lawson only appeared in the first season, she went on to have a successful acting career, with roles in shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Pretty Little Liars, and Teen Wolf.
Bonnie Russavage as Vicki Needleman
Vicki Needleman, played by Bonnie Russavage, was a fashion-conscious and bubbly character. She often filled the “popular girl” role within the group, much like Kelly Kapowski from the original series. Vicki’s character had a love for fashion and beauty, and she frequently found herself caught up in teenage drama. Though she had a good heart, her obsession with popularity sometimes led her to make questionable decisions.
Like several other original characters, Vicki did not return after the first season, marking the beginning of the revolving door of cast changes that would come to define The New Class.
The Rotating Cast of Bayside Students
As the series progressed, The New Class experienced frequent changes in its student roster, with new characters being introduced almost every season. These changes allowed the show to explore different dynamics and storylines while keeping the focus on Bayside High’s latest generation of students.
Sarah Lancaster as Rachel Meyers
One of the most notable additions to The New Class was Sarah Lancaster, who portrayed Rachel Meyers. Rachel joined the cast in season two and quickly became a central character. Like Kelly Kapowski in the original series, Rachel was the quintessential “girl next door.” She was sweet, kind-hearted, and involved in various school activities. Rachel also had a romantic storyline with Tommy D (Tommy DeLuca), adding to her popularity among fans.
Lancaster stayed with The New Class for four seasons, making her one of the show’s longest-serving cast members. After her time on the show, Lancaster went on to have a successful acting career, with roles in shows like Everwood and Chuck.
Richard Lee Jackson as Ryan Parker
Richard Lee Jackson joined the cast in season three as Ryan Parker, who replaced Scott Erickson as the group’s charming troublemaker. Like Scott, Ryan was a smooth talker with a knack for bending the rules. However, he also had a softer side, and his relationships with his friends, particularly Rachel, were more developed than those of earlier characters.
Ryan became a central figure during his time on the show, and Jackson’s portrayal helped solidify him as one of the more memorable characters of The New Class.
Natalia Cigliuti as Lindsay Warner
Natalia Cigliuti played Lindsay Warner, another key character who joined the cast in season two. Lindsay was intelligent, athletic, and popular, often balancing her academic and extracurricular pursuits. She was involved in a romantic storyline with Tommy D, and her character represented the perfect blend of brains and beauty.
Cigliuti’s portrayal of Lindsay earned her a spot as a fan favorite, and she remained on the show for several seasons before moving on to other acting opportunities.
Others Notable Cast Members
Throughout its seven-season run, Saved by the Bell: The New Class introduced several other characters, including:
- Tommy DeLuca (Tommy D), played by Jonathan Angel, who was the quintessential “jock” character.
- Katie Peterson, portrayed by Lindsey McKeon, who replaced Rachel Meyers as a lead female character in later seasons.
- Eric Little, played by Anthony Harrell, who brought a musical element to the show, being a talented singer.
Legacy of Saved by the Bell: The New Class
While The New Class didn’t achieve the same cultural impact as the original Saved by the Bell, it found success in its own right. Running for seven seasons is no small feat, and the show’s ability to adapt to cast changes while maintaining the core elements of the original series allowed it to appeal to a new generation of viewers.
The characters of The New Class may not be as widely remembered as Zack, Kelly, or Screech, but they still played a pivotal role in keeping the Bayside legacy alive. Through its mix of humor, teenage dilemmas, and familiar faces like Principal Belding and Screech, The New Class carved out its place in the Saved by the Bell universe, leaving behind a unique legacy in the world of 90s television.
