Table of contents for March 26, 2018 in ABC Soaps In Depth

PSST! Port Charles is still mourning Nathan, but his portrayer, Ryan Paevey, has already lined up another acting gig: He landed a small part on Fox’s BROOKLYN NINENINE, playing — wait for it! — a cop! The hunk had a blast playing the straight man in a scene with some of the show’s funny guys — including Joe Lo Truglio, hapless Boyle on the sitcom. “One of the warmest, funniest humans I’ve ever met,” Paevey Instagrammed of his co-star. The GH grad — who did what he called “cowboy training” last month and hopes to land some action roles in addition to filming the sequel to Hallmark’s Unleashing Mr. Darcy this summer — also recently ran into Finola Hughes (Anna) and Marc Anthony Samuel (Felix) while hustling for more gigs!…

Sonny is having a rough go of things as he deals with his father’s condition, but Carly is there when he needs her most on Monday, March 12. Tuesday, March 13, finds Nelle showing that she actually does have a maternal side, while Michael is on the receiving end of an intriguing proposition that same day. Meanwhile, Nelle might want to reconsider her latest scheme against Carly. Why? Because on Wednesday, March 21, even Ava thinks she might be going too far. And when Ava is questioning your actions, that really says something! Could that explain why Nelle finds herself growing frustrated on Thursday, March 22, even as Carly feels pleasantly surprised? And you won’t want to miss what happens when on Friday, March 23, Nelle makes a downright brazen…

Ridge finds himself simultaneously stunned and thrilled when Sheila divulges information about her previous misdeeds on Monday, March 12. On Tuesday, March 13, tensions thaw between Sally and Thomas when he asks for her forgiveness for previously taking Bill’s bait and abandoning her. While Hope and Steffy continue to bond over their mutual concern for Liam, a mysterious woman appears in town with a serious score to settle on Wednesday, March 14.…

OUR TAKE GH Hot Topic: Anna’s Past Gets A Pretty Major Tweak! When writers decide to change the past of a beloved character, they run the risk of ticking off longtime fans. And certainly some GENERAL HOSPITAL viewers protested upon finding out that Anna gave birth to Faison’s baby and then gave it away. And while it’s an awful lot to wrap one’s head around, this revelation is also fantastically soapy. Yes, it’s difficult to imagine the Anna we now know and love going to extremes… but it’s worth remembering that the Brit beauty has made some questionable decisions in the past. Heck, when first fans met Anna, she was playing both sides as a double agent! This latest revelation works for us on a whole lotta levels, not the…

Phillip, Y&R: Genoa City denizens mourned Phillip when he supposedly died in a car crash. It wasn’t until decades later that it was revealed that Jill’s son had faked his death because he felt unable to tell his family — and wife Nina — that he was gay. Kristina, GH: After falling for her female college professor, Kristina dealt with her own possible bisexuality. That included an emotional scene in which she came out to her mom, Alexis. The plot also dovetailed with an equally complex storyline addressing the power and influence that a teacher has over a student. Karen, THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL: Karen actually had been in a longtime relationship with Dani, but it took her years to reveal the truth to her brother, Bill. While he…

Not only does Clifton still regularly keep in touch with former castmate Matula, he recently helped her move a piece of furniture. “That’s the curse of owning a pickup truck,” he says with a laugh. He’s also a fan of her new Fox sitcom LA TO VEGAS, which in January got picked up for three additional episodes. “We all sort of knew that Kim would do really well in comedy, because she is one of the funniest people I know,” he says. “The minute she booked this show, it was the perfect fit. I’ve been watching, and it’s great!”…

GH family grow, as one has added to his family and another has a baby on the way! Late last month, Drew Cheetwood (ex-Milo) and his wife, Jenna, welcomed their third daughter, Everly Drew. Showing off a picture of his missus and newborn on Instagram, Cheetwood wrote, “This woman right here. She stole my heart long ago, and not a day goes by where I don’t catch myself in some kind of amazement or amusement by her… This weekend, she gave birth to our third child, Everly, and once again, I was amazed by the grit and strength I witnessed from my wife.” The Cheetwoods are also parents to Grace, 5, and Josephine, aka Joey, 16 months. In other baby news, Natalia Livingston (ex-Emily/Rebecca) announced that she and husband Matt…

Nina can’t help being bothered by Peter’s friendship with Maxie. Is she right to be suspicious on Wednesday, March 14? Co-workers Elizabeth and Kim do a little bonding on Thursday, March 15. After being asked some tough questions by Griffin on Friday, March 16, Peter gets some good news. Elizabeth spends Monday, March 19, trying to find answers. Griffin weighs in on Tuesday, March 20. Jordan makes a discovery that is definitely going to catch her off guard on Wednesday, March 21. And on Thursday, March 22, Franco can’t help worrying about his future!…

Brady and Eve are all set to exchange vows, but things come to a grinding halt on Monday, March 12. (On the plus side, that same day finds Maggie and Victor working toward a reconciliation!) Tuesday, March 13, finds Brady trying to deal with the aftermath of his non-wedding. Valerie has made it clear she’s not a fan of Lani’s relationship with JJ, and on Wednesday, March 14, he tells Eli’s mom to back the heck off! And on Friday, March 16, Brady — determined to win Eve back — draws a line in the sand. B&B and Y&R will be pre-empted on Thursday, March 15, and Friday, March 16, for CBS Sports’ coverage of NCAA March Madness.…

1 Scotty’s advice. “The guy who said ‘Honesty is the best policy’ probably wasn’t married,” he told his about-to-wed son, Franco. 2 Maxie’s bluntness. When Peter spoke of Nathan’s passing, she stopped him cold. “Died. He didn’t pass. He didn’t leave us. He didn’t go anywhere. He died.” 3 Max Gail. Filling Ron Hale’s shoes was a tall order, but the veteran actor has made the role of Mike his own. 4 The reference. Like longtime fans, Mike remembered that Dante first came to the canvas using the name Dominic Pirelli. 5 The pinky swear. Alexis and Finn vowed they’d never sleep together again… not that we believed them! Lulu’s stance. “I can’t give up a career that means so much to…

General Hospital In Depth asked... Do you think Nelle and Michael’s baby will bring them together? Nelle is one character that fans just love to hate — which means she better stay away from someone like Michael, whom they love to love! This issue’s question... Do you want to see Julian get together with Kim or hold out for Alexis? Reader Reaction: 79% NEVER! 21% BRING IT! TOP 5 GH COUPLES 1 Alexis Davis & Julian Jerome 2 Elizabeth Webber & Franco Baldwin 3 Carly & Sonny Corinthos 4 Sam & Drew Cain 5 Nina & Valentin Cassadine TOP 5 ACTORS (as voted by Soaps In Depth readers) 1 Issue Last : 1 Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) 2 Issue Last : 4 William deVry (Julian, GH) 3 Issue Last :…

Cruise Control Tom Cruise’s 2001 sci-fi thriller, Vanilla Sky, was met with mixed reviews, but it was a total game-changer for GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Chad Duell (Michael) — who was only a teen when the movie came out. “After I watched it, the idea of acting came to my head,” Duell reveals. “It sounds funny to say it, but there was something about that movie. Tom Cruise actually did it for me. I liked his passion and raw energy. Something just came over me like, ‘I have to do this!’ It was the weirdest sensation of having what I was supposed to do with the rest of my life rush over me.” Having followed his dream to Hollywood, the GH star now has a new goal in his sights: competing on…

GENERAL HOSPITAL fans weren’t the only ones disappointed when Dillon and Kiki’s romance was abruptly ended by his unexpected infidelity. “It was a sweet, innocent, fresh, young love that really could have developed into something amazing,” says Robert Palmer Watkins, who played the hunk. “I do feel that it was cut short.” A Bit Of Dillon In Cupid In the actor’s most recent project, CUPID’S MATCH on The CW Seed, a teenage girl is contacted by a matchmaking service that has found her perfect man — only he happens to be Cupid. Cast as the immortal bad boy, Watkins says, “I pull up in a black Ferrari wearing a leather jacket, leather gloves and boots. It’s kind of the way that I’d wanted to dress as Dillon, because I always…

in a world that’s constantly being upended, it’s a relief to know that there are some things that are constant, dependable, for keeps. One of them is DAYS OF OUR LIVES. Even when the landscape of Salem changes — and how could it not, populated as the town is by passion’s playthings? — it remains kinda blessedly the same. Consider, if you will, these transitions that have managed to seem at once new and familiar. The Walking Dead Then: Stefano only ever played dead. Now: Will’s heart goes on. Everyone’s Favorite Sounding Board Then: Can’t beat Marlena. Now: Still can’t. Surprise Pregnancies Then: Being “with” Alex left Marie with child. Now: One night with Eli was all it took to leave Lani expecting. Hot Spot Then: Doug’s Place was the…

Q: Which of your co-stars would you choose for your “one phone call from prison”? Hayley Erin (Kiki, GH) “Maura West (Ava), for sure. She would come bail me out. She’s got that mama-bear instinct. She wouldn’t let me rot!” Christel Khalil (Lily, Y&R) “It would be Bryton [James, Devon]. I know that he would do whatever he could to get me out of there!” Tyler Christopher (Stefan, DAYS) “Well, of course, Stephen Nichols N (Steve), because he’s my longest and oldest coworker, and I know he’s got my back. And if he doesn’t pick up the phone, I’m calling Billy Flynn (Chad) because I think he’d know what to do.” James Patrick Stuart (Valentin, GH) “I would have to call Finola Hughes (Anna), because her kids are almost grown. If…

THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL Quinn blasted Bill for his vengeful treatment of their son. Sally threatened Bill for reneging on his offer to help get Spectra back off the ground. Bill proposed to — and was rejected by — Steffy, infuriating Ridge in the process. Charlie discovered that Pam had gone off her meds. Bill served Katie with papers seeking full custody of Will, then fired a faithful employee with absolutely no warning. Bill later took a bullet from a mystery shooter. Thomas returned to town. Eric wondered and worried about Quinn’s whereabouts. Wyatt and Katie announced their engagement to friends and family during a tense situation. Two women in love with the same man each try helping him in their own way. THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS Devon…

“There you have it… I’m coming back!” — Tristan Rogers The In Depth Story: In a recent interview with the DAYTIME AFTER DARK podcast, Nathan Varni, ABC’s senior manager of current programming, broke the good news that the beloved daytime veteran would be making tracks for his old stomping grounds. Afterward, the actor confirmed it for his fans, tweeting, “There you have it from Nathan himself. I’m coming back. Start work on March 19.” And Rogers may not be the only legendary GH cast member who has a comeback in the works, either. During the same Q&A session, Varni also expressed optimism about a return engagement for Genie Francis, who’s currently on recurring status with the soap. “What we want is a prolific, big story for Laura that…

On the heels of CASTLE’s final season, former ONE LIFE TO LIVE fave Nathan Fillion (Joey) is going straight to a new series in ABC’s THE ROOKIE. The light crime drama has him playing John Nolan, the oldest rookie in the LAPD. Annie Ilonzeh (ex-Maya, GH) takes the lead in the ABC drama pilot STATIES as a tough NYPD detective whose mistake lands her on the much tamer — and more eccentric — Oregon State Police Force. Alana De La Garza, who played Matéo’s little sister, Rosa, on ALL MY CHILDREN and was recently seen on the short-lived CRIMINAL MINDS: BEYOND BORDERS, has joined the CBS drama pilot CHIEFS. She’ll play one of three female police chiefs who join forces to catch a dangerous serial killer. Frankie Faison — who…

James DePaiva stepped out of the daytime spotlight after playing ONE LIFE TO LIVE’s Max on and off for 20 years. Thankfully, he was ready for action again when GENERAL HOSPITAL invited him to play the mysterious Dr. Bensch a decade later! New Attitude While David has been making the rounds for almost a year, we still don’t know much about him — or his interest in a certain med-school student! With Bensch back on the scene and spending more time with Kiki, it turns out portrayer DePaiva doesn’t know any more than fans do, but he’s not complaining in the least. “When I played Max, I spent years being concerned about storyline, my position in the show and all this other stuff,” he says of his OLTL stint. “I…

When THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS’ Camryn Grimes played Cassie from 1997 to 2005, she often spent her days mining her alter ego’s emotions, from tearful to pre-teen rebellion. Yet since coming back to the sudser to play the late heroine’s twin, Mariah, the actress has been given more humorous material, including verbal squabbles, full-on catfights and even a pratfall! “I do love the comedic stuff,” she smiles. “It allowed me to explore a whole new side to acting, and I was so grateful for that. But I was champing at the bit for something meaty. My bread and butter is emotional storytelling. That’s where I feel the most comfortable, and being given this material was almost like coming home… for my body, for my craft. I was like, ‘Yesss!’…

Between ONE LIFE TO LIVE and GENERAL HOSPITAL, Kristen Alderson played Starr Manning for 15 years, which meant that both she and the character grew up together. “I had my first kiss on television,” she confesses. “It was with Connor Paolo — Starr and Travis had run away, and we were shooting on location in Central Park. That was so exciting!” Teen Scene Alderson was relieved to be able to talk the writers out of covering Starr’s puberty experience, and recalls suggesting the more impactful mean girls storyline. “Bullying was something that I went through,” she reflects. “That’s where the character of Britney and her posse came from.” Before long, Britney, Starr and her pals — including boyfriend Cole, new BFF Langston and Markko — found themselves with something to…

One is a GENERAL HOSPITAL legacy player who lives by the golden rule, exercises daily and globe-trots whenever possible. The other is a reformed schemer who’s survived some rough turns — occasionally self-inflicted! — to become the soap’s sensible, compassionate and confident head surgical nurse. Here, Jacklyn Zeman and her Port Charles alter ego, Bobbie Spencer, let us take a deeper look into who they are… and what they have in common. What’s the most important quality in a friend? Jacklyn: Kindness. Bobbie: Honesty. What’s your personal motto? Jacklyn: “Always treat other people the way you want them to treat you.” Bobbie: “Lead with your heart.” When you have spare time, what’s your favorite activity? Jacklyn: There are two: fitness and travel. Bobbie: Nurturing my friends and family. My life…

GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Sonny is known for taking care of business, but his father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis left him worried, guilty and, worst of all, powerless. As the Mob boss tried to balance his own feelings with the responsibility of looking after Mike, Maurice Benard’s heart-wrenching performance earned him this week’s Gold Star. Diagnosis: Drama When Sonny and Mike met Griffin for the older man’s test results, the don moved across the room as if to distance himself from what was coming. Faced with the diagnosis, however, he was forced to engage. Playing off his chemistry with Max Gail, Benard maintained a fine balance, barely keeping his character’s impatience in check even as Sonny reached out to his father. Though Mike stormed off to find “someone who actually gives a damn,” it…

Seeing Red Voters definitely loved the way the bright red popped on the black dress donned by GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Finola Hughes (Anna)… especially since it was perfectly paired with the shoes! A Cute Take On Lace Short-hemmed cocktail dresses look darling on ALL MY CHILDREN’s Chrishell Hartley (Amanda), but of these looks, viewers were drawn to the black-and-white number on the right! Tummy Time Do you dare… bare your midriff, that is? These current and former ladies of ABC Daytime have the sort of enviable abs that make this trend doable! Shining Star…