The original premise of the show was based around the adjustment and culture shock that twins Brandon ( played by Jason Priestley ) and Brenda Walsh ( played by Shannen Doherty ) had after they and their parents , Jim and Cindy moved from Minneapolis , Minnesota to Beverly Hills . The original premise of the show was based on the adjustment and culture shock that twins Brandon ( played by Jason Priestley ) and Brenda Walsh ( played by Shannen Doherty ) experienced when they and their parents , Jim ( played by James Eckhouse ) and Cindy ( played by Carol Potter ) moved from Minneapolis , Minnesota to Beverly Hills .