Lark Voorhies, who portrayed over-achiever Lisa Turtle on the teen sitcom Saved by the Bell, has said she feels “slighted and hurt” after not being invited back for the show’s reboot.
Original stars including Mario Lopez, Elizabeth Berkley and Mark-Paul Gosselaar are returning for the forthcoming revival, but Voorhies has said that she was not asked to come back herself.
“I have to admit I did feel a bit slighted and hurt when I was not invited to be a part of the Saved By the Bell reunion, as well as other cast members’ events,” Voorhies said during an appearance on the US talk show Dr Oz.
Voorhies read the pre-written statement aloud from her diary, while revealing that she believes her 2012 diagnosis with bipolar may have affected her chances of returning.
“Yet, I also realise having this puzzling disorder may have played a major part in that factual decision,” Voorhies continued.
“With that in mind, I am truly thankful for having had the chance to work on a show that has been so successful.”
After being shown an array of recent photographs depicting the show’s other cast members socialising together, Voorhies said she would have liked to be more included.
“They have the right to do that and [if] they’re happy in their element and they can have it, certainly,” she said, but added: “Family isn’t kept complete without its lead.”
The Saved by the Bell reboot will be available later this year on the new US streaming service Peacock. A UK release has yet to be confirmed.
