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CW star DUSTIN MILLIGAN ("Runaway") has the prestigious distinction of being the first actor to join the network's planned spinoff of "Beverly Hills 90210," Entertainment Weekly reports.

Dustin, who also appeared in last year's horror-thriller 'The Messengers,' will play a "likable, genuine ... star athlete" named Ethan, according to the show's producers.

News came at the end of last month that the as-yet-untitled show will, like the original, center on a family (this time it's the Mills instead of the Walshes) who moves from the Midwest to Beverly Hills and will revolve around the clan's two teen kids -- a boy and a girl -- who are the same age.

But this time around, the patriarch, Harry Mills, is a Beverly Hills High alumnus who moved after graduation to East St. Louis, but must return to the infamous zip code when his alcoholic 1970s movie star mom begins to spiral downward. Along for the ride -- Harry's wife, Celia, a former Olympic medalist; biological daughter Annie; and adopted son Dixon.

And while none of these kids appear directly related to characters from the original series, it is nevertheless curious that 16-year-old Daphne Silver and her older brother, Max Silver, have the same last name as David Silver (BRIAN AUSTIN GREEN), who married Donna Martin (TORI SPELLING) in the '90210' series finale.