Kelly Marlene Taylor, portrayed by Jennie Garth, is the lead female character of Beverly Hills, 90210 for the majority of the show's duration.

[2] Subsequently, Kelly became instrumental in launching the first spin-off, and, being written with a more compassionate demeanor, overcame several perils and personal challenges, and attracted many romantic suitors and triangles.

Having appeared in the most series premieres, as well as the most episodes of any figure throughout the continuity, she is the de facto central character of the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise.

In a 1995 article on the actress, TV Guide's Mary Murphy stated that, "Her signature role—the sensitive, seductive, and tortured Kelly Taylor—tapped into the very essence of teenage angst and brought her a huge cult following.

[7] During episode 13, "Slumber Party,"[8] Kelly revealed that she was taken advantage of by a senior during her freshmen year in high school, which had led to a promiscuous lifestyle and reputation which deeply hurt her self-esteem.

[9] Toward the end of the second season, Kelly met a man named Jake Hanson (played by Grant Show), an emotionally guarded biker who was slightly older than her.

[10] Eventually, Kelly was revealed to have a notable conscience during a summer fling with Dylan McKay, the boyfriend of her friend Brenda, often being the voice of reason during their affair.

Self-consciousness over her figure, along with the anxiety she began to feel, caused her to lash out emotionally, abuse diet pills, and briefly lose control over her life.

He goes on to state that in the fourth season, when Kelly was prone to expressing her affections in a more gentle and compassionate manner,[17] she made a greater impression on Brandon.

In a 1995 article on Garth, TV Guide reported that the show's creators made a conscious decision to place her character at center stage.

Additionally, she was given varying involvement in noted story lines not surrounding her—including Dylan's family trauma, Brenda's acting pursuits, and David's recovery from drug use.

[26][27] Shannen Doherty, who returned as Brenda in the third spin-off, reported that she and Garth, like their characters, had renewed their friendship, stating, "Now we’re really good friends—and I love her.

In season 5, she was faced with making a choice between the two, as a result of Brandon proposing and Dylan confessing his feelings for her and asking her to leave with him on a trip around the world.

[37] Following Jason Priestley's departure from the series, Jennie Garth became the officially billed lead, with the character of Kelly further maturing, reuniting romantically with Dylan, and starting her own PR firm.

In 2008, Kelly Taylor returned in the spin-off 90210, now working as a guidance counselor at her alma mater West Beverly Hills High School.

Garth departed the series following season 2, later citing problems with the newly appointed show-runner, Rebecca Sinclair, and the direction the show took.

[46] With regard to Garth's long-running portrayal, Nellie Andreeva of The Hollywood Reporter acknowledged the character of Kelly as being "organic to 90210's setting,” in a 2009 article.

[47] While discussing the Melrose Place spin-off in a 2009 interview, Grant Show, who played Jake Hanson in the original, communicated that he would be open to appearing, if Jennie Garth did so as Kelly Taylor.

[3] Sara Foster, who was cast as Jen Clark in the spin-off, has stated that she was excited and nervous about meeting Garth, who she'd watched in the original series.

states that "playing the popular tramp-turned-good girl Kelly through the years afforded Garth the opportunity to not only grow up on camera in front of America, but to fully develop her character and improve her acting chops each season.