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OLTL Casting News: Looking For New Matthew and Destiny! Plus … Character of "Billy"!

Courtesy/ABC

Courtesy/ABC

Casting is now in full swing for Prospect Park’s revival of One Life to Live and this time it appears from various reports that they are looking to either age, or are having to just plain recast the roles of Matthew Buchanan (last played by Eddie Alderson) and Destiny (Shenell Edmonds)!  When One Life went off the airwaves on ABC, Destiny had just given birth to Matthew’s son, Drew.  Just, how is this story going to pick-up?

In addition, word from Soap Opera Digest is that the series is also casting the role of “Billy” who is said to be, “Caucasian, 30s, ruggedly handsome. Charming yet naïve when it comes to relationships. He falls in love first and thinks second. He is a man of strong values who puts family before all else.”  SOD alluded to the fact that the last Billy on One Life, was played by Ryan Phillipe, and who was the first gay teen character on daytime. Could it be him? Or a brand new character? Or a character we have already known on the Llanview canvas in which they are just switching the names for casting purposes although that may be a stretch?

What do you think of the news that the show is recasting Matthew and Destiny? What actors would you suggest? Who would you suggest for the role of Billy?  Let us know your thoughts!

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The “Billy” casting call immediately made me think of Ryan Philipe’s character “Billy” back in the day. Thanks for mentioning that so I know I am not alone in thinking that.

And while some will be upset at the recasting of Matthew and Destiny, it happens. Hopefully the show will get two amazing actors that have chemistry off the charts and will propel that part of the story – which there is a lot of considering they will always be connected by their child.

It does happen, but if OLTL never went off the air they would have not recast Mathew.

ExactlyJewel! That is why ABC shouldn’t get to keep John, Todd & Star either.

Well Tali…PP does own the rights to the characters of John, Todd and Starr…

I hope so too Christine! I just loved Eddie and especially Shenell – but hopefully the new actors will have good chemistry and good story.

I thought of that Billy first also.

SIDEBAR: STAT! WHAT IS GH DOING TO lucy coe coe goes CUCKOO?

alright, her comedic talents meshed with Heather Webber… may be all that…

but, would this be like writing her in to a corner? yeah, i understand the “Port Charles Vampire” Lame????? I never watched that show… (ie: she’s only on for a short period of time)

I SO WANTED LUCY TO INTERACT WITH LAURA, SCOTTY, LUKE, KEVIN… AND W/THE QUARTERMAINES…

I think they should keep Eddie Alderson.

Eddie is in Ca and wants to stay there.

Eddie Alderson I don’t have an issue with being replaced, but I loved Destiny (Shenell Edmonds)! Wish they could get her back…you never know.

I am looking forward to the new shows but have a HUGE bit of apprehension on how it might look. With all the web soaps out there now, it’s all about really UP CLOSE and personal camera angles and the sets are sooooo super small that I feel like I am watching the series on my i-phone.

Plus, they look cheap.

NOW, that is my apprehension and I am holding out great hope that with this new incarnation of these two soaps that the sets they build with rival those of current network soaps or even surpass them to make it all the more worthwhile to take the time out to watch the soaps!

AS for Billy and being possibly the gay Billy of past, I am all for it! If it is the same Billy I hope they flesh out the character’s family if even just to make it guest spots so that he is not just a token gay guy on the show. Also, I think it would be great to age Matthew and Destiny. As it was, i thought it an enormous disservice to real life to show YET ANOTHER TEEN mom having a kid and surrounded by loving families and really having a good time with it. When Starr got pregnant I was not happy with it but at least it fell within the story but when Destiny got pregnant it made ABSOLUTELY no sense to me and I was disgusted by it. (Don’t jump down my throat!)

So aging the characters may take it out of the realm of TEEN PREGNANCY and allow the characters to fit into the general scheme of things since their struggles as teen parents would have been SOOOOO far from true struggles.

It would be great if it was Billy who was gay. They need a gay storyline. In fact he was a friend of Joey.

I didn’t see anything but I am assuming that because they are recast both characters that Eddie and Shenell don’t want to come back. It’s a shame because I was hoping they would have.

I was hoping they would both come back as well Stephanie. I enjoyed their interaction as played by Eddie and Shenell. It is my guess that it is PP’s choice to recast, since it has not yet been reported that Eddie and/or Shenell decided not to return (as we read about JPL and Farah). We shall see . . .

the only reason why everyone knows that jp and farah arent comming back is because i told mr.fairman that someone had asked farah on her twitter page is she is comming back and all farah said was “no”. she didnt actually tell all her fans in a announcement, i was just snooping and came acrossed it. and then micheal looked it up and contacted jp to make sure its true. just thought id let you know, I thought they would have had alittle more respect for their fans and make a announcement and atleast tell us why!

Eddie lives in LA with his family now

It won’t be the same with alot of recasts. Would be better to take the core actors/actresses and add new characters around them. I know Eddie Aldersen lives on the West Coast now.

Remember Nathan and Dan are Keven and Joey Recasts. Bri is a Jessica recast. Clint, Viki, and Dorian are actually all recasts. Kassie isn’t the original Blair. With the 5 that have signed it’s a real solid start.

It’s too bad that the actor who played Matthew couldn’t return I liked him. Destiny not so much, I didn’t think she was a great actress so I’m hoping a better actress plays her. I thought she did a great job when they had that fantasy episode and she acted like a different person, a hard core person.

And with Billy I wish it was for the same character that Ryan Phillippe played.

Respectfully disagree, I think Shenell was wonderful!

Me too! Loved Shenell as Destiny! Think she really grew as an actress in her time on OLTL!

Shenell was horrible. Liked Destiny and her story, but Shenell just couldn’t act. Sorry.

I loved Shenell as Destiny as well. She really did grow into her character.

Recasting some characters may have to happen. That’s ok.

OLTL won’t be the same with out Eddie and Shennel.l they are great for the part and I think they should only be replaced if they turned down the parts

and the changes begin………… 🙁

I think that’s inevitable with the time that has passed. And the Alderson family moved to the West Coast to see how that would help Kristen and Eddie’s careers. And has been already pointed out, many of our current faves are themselves recasts at an earlier moment in time.

Even if the show had continued with no break, there would probably have been actors who left and characters who were recast. That’s soap life. And I think it’s unrealistic to think that the show can pick up where they left off. Life has moved on.
I’m just VERY thankful that the show is coming back from the dead. IMO we have most of the essentials. And OLTL, like all its predecessors and its own past self can once again serve as a starting board for some young and talented new actors.

This stinks, Eddie has been playing Mathew since he was a kid, that would be like recasting his sister..

Even though I would always prefer that the original actors return, I’m ok with recasting the roles of Matthew and Destiny. It’s important to keep the younger generation of Buchanans in the series.

Im ok with the recasts Im sure EA doesnt want o play Matt full time put OLTL wants the character back

Also could SE be too busy in college to reprise Destiny?

I’m thinking Eddie must in line for the recast role of Morgan on GH. This would be a good sign if Eddie were cast on GH as he would only accept if it meant he would be close to sis, Kristen. If Eddie were casted on GH then that would show a good sign that PP and ABC have come to an agreement on the characters of Todd, Starr and John.

Billy sounds like a Gay Character. That would be awesome. Perhaps KISH can join as well.

I love Eddie Alderson and Shenell Edmonds, but I love thier characters enuf to be happy just to see Matthew and Destiny continue, along with baby Drew. I had forgotten they named the baby after Matthews late half brother. It was a sweet touch.

I will always cherish Matthew and Destiny as they were, but realize it’s time to move on and accept what’s ahead for this OLTL reboot. I’m just excited that they are considering having Matthew and Destiny back as characters, even if they’re a little older. I’ve wanted to see how their relationship evolved over time – are they a couple or just friends? Yes they had a baby together, but that doesn’t mean they’re in love with each other. And most importantly, Bo will have his son by his side. I’ll miss RSW and EA’s onscreen father/son relationship – the best I’ve ever seen on TV. I’m just hoping the strong bond Bo had with Matthew will be a focus in this reboot.

I am ok with these recast and I have a feeling more recasts are gonna happen.

I understand the need to recast sometimes, for various reasons, but I have to say, I don’t see the point of this particular pair of recasts. Even as Bo and Nora’s son, Matthew isn’t necessary to me if EA isn’t playing him (Bo and Nora can have an off-screen son for now, that’s fine; if EA isn’t able or willing to come back, I’d just as soon not have the reminder of that awful, character-trashing murder storyline in which Bo and Nora abandoned all of their ethics and became Class A hypocrites–unless maybe the writers are finally going to play out the consequences of the lying and covering up they did, or went along with), and Destiny had her moments but I don’t consider her an essential character.

Nora has always been a hypocrite! That was totally in character

Unless they will be bringing the teen family to the screen with these characters, much like they did with Starr and Cole. Perhaps PP is negotiating for crossovers with Starr, Todd and John but not adding them to the show full time.

I WANT SHENELL!

I’m really okay with recasting if that is what is necessary. But I just LOVE Shenell’s Destiny! I figured Eddie might want to stay in CA.

The real question is did PP even talk to Shenell Edmonds and Eddie Alderson, they should’ve.

Of course they talked to both as they have talked to all the others.. They would want the originals.
They would not be recasting if the two would have agreed to gone on with PP ..
🙂

KELLY MISSAL!!! as Dani Manning…miss her so much

How old is Eddie? He’s moved to California, right? I doubt he wants to relocate to CT and if he’s still a minor a parent would have to come with him. Unless he moved in with Bob Woods!

EA Is 18

I’m wondering if Hilary/Nora is coming back. Don’t think she signed on originally.

Never liked Den-sity. Horrific actress. Didn’t care about Matthew either. Was a phony tough guy. What about Dani? Anything on her coming back? She won’t respond on twitter. lol

I’d rather they just not have Matthew and Destiny on it, rather than recast. Stupid ABC — if they hadn’t cancelled the show, they would probably still be on there now. I realize you have to recast on occasion, but it just won’t be the same….

The actress KA/Starr has a 3 year contract with ABC/GH she is going nowhere ,for now ..

Kristen and Eddie Alderson turned down PP the first time around.

do you think they will take back Starr oh I hope so I want her off GH . KA is theres they should have her she belongs on the internet

oooppps I replied to wrong post..
The actress KA/Starr has a 3 year contract with ABC/GH she is going nowhere ,for now ..

It would be nice if someone from PP or heading up casting would make a broad statement regarding casting. At a half hour each neither show will bring back all the beloved characters and many actors have moved on. I just hope Nora will be back played by Hilary B Smith and that Michael Knight, Cady McClain and Jill Larson are all back on AMC.

I understand why Eddie isn’t coming back. He’s moved to LA and is trying to develop his career there. I certainly hope that Shenell Edmonds can come back. She was terrific as Destiny.

I read that they want to have temporarily have Starr, Todd and John back then they can go back to GH because they want younger cast? So are they planning on rebooting with some of the original characters and then destroying the soap with people and cast to make up their own soap with the name OLTL and AMC? If that is their plan they have a temporary audience.

There’s no reason to think that PP wants to destroy either soap – it makes no business sense, for one thing. I don’t see them getting people to invest in either show just to destroy either one.

They are starting with the essential – at least, most of them – OLDER cast members who really give the reboot the stamp of OLTL. If they wanted to do it on the cheap or create a show that was OLTL or AMC in name only then we’d be seeing only one or two vets per show, and the cast populated with new actors and even more underwear models than ABC foisted off on us over the last 10 years.

Let’s please give them a chance.

I’m so happy that Matthew and Destiny is back on OLTL but I’m really upset that they are recasting them I love watching EA and SE on OLTL. Well, I hope this new casting are good.

I think the recasts will be carefully picked..
PP really wants this to be great..
And when one looks back, there have been many recasts in OLTL , many ..

I wish they would recast john…..ME can stay at GH

There can’t be 2 John McBains ..
(one on GH and one on OL)

Valentini and Carlivati hqve moved on too. So, obviously this is not going to be the old OLTL. It’s going to be mostly different with some reminiscent flavor. I think we’re all better to accept that and try to enjoy the revamp for what it is (or not).

IF BILLY IS THE GAY CHARACTER FROM THE 1990S, HOW ABOUT THE ACTOR WHO PLAYED THE GAY COP FISH ON LIFE A FEW YEARS AGO? HE’D BE PERFECT AS THE GAY BILLY.

WHEN DO THE NEW EPISODES DEBUTE AND HOW MUCH DO WE HAVE TO PAY TO SEE THEM? WILL SOAPNET AIR REPEATS?

Yeah i like to know when the new episodes are going to be shown and SOAPNET is still around as Comcast Cable removed SOAPNET here in Scramento last APRIL.

WE STILL HAVE SOAPNET HERE IN MI ON CHARTER. IM WONDERING ABOUT OTHER ONE LIFE TO LIVE CHARACTERS. SUCH AS DAVID VICKERS, BLAIR, JACK, SAM, ADDIE, TEA’, T’HOMAS, SAUN, MR. AND MRS. EVANS, BRODY, JESSICA, VIMAL, RAMA, NEELA, RACHEL, JUST TO NAME A FEW. ANY COMING BACK. U DONT SEE MANY ETNIC CHARACTERS ON TV LIKE U DO ON ‘LIFE’. THE VEGAS TOO. IS IT TRUE THAT H.B.S. WASNT RETURNING AS NORA, AND EVE PLUMB TRIED OUT FOR THE ROLL? THANKS.

sucks. I was only excited for the return because I got really interested in their storyline after she got pregnant. I hope the actors have a similar look lol that way it’ll be easier for me to at least sort of pretend it’s really them. Smh that’s crazy because in November of 2011 SE signed up for the PP version when the idea was first introduced. I think this is PPs doing. Smh whatever I won’t freak out yet, I’ll just wait.

As long as Robin Strasser is there… all is good! I only liked the pre-Buchanan characters (Carla & Sadie, the Woleks, Craigs, Lords, Vernons, Siegels, etc.). Not a big Erika Slezak fan though.

If they would recast the role Matthew and Destiny, I just hope that they both look older and make them more attractive to the fans like Matthew more mature built looking and Destiny be a little thinner and more sexier. plus They should get intersting storylines on how they become parents, Matthw popossed to Destiny, Go to college or maybe they couldbring back Darren Price and have Matthew vs Darren lol. Can’t wait who playing these wonderful couple on OLTL and also can’t wait for OLTL return in Febuary!!!

Who says you have to be thin or built to be sexy? Not everyone is programmed to think that way.

SOMEONE RESPONDED THERE CANNOT BE TWO JOHN MCBAINS. LOVE OF LIFE AND ANOTHER WORLD HAD TWO DIFFERENT JOHN RANDOLPHS AT THE SAME TIME. DOOL AND GH HAD TWO DIFFERENT LAURA SPENSERS. BUT OF COURSE IN THOSE CASES THEY ONLY HAD THE SAME NAME BUT WERENT THE SAME CHARACTER LIKE JOHN MCBAIN WOULD BE UNLESS LUCY COE IS RIGHT AND GH’S JOHN IS REALLY VAMPIRE CALEB MORLEY. THEN THEY COULD DO TWO DIFFRENT JOHN MCBAINS.

i hope one life to live resolves crazy alison has thought-dead victor held captive storyline even if they have to do a recast or continuing without that finished will not make sense.

WHAT I MEANT TO SAY ABOUT THE ALISON/VICTOR PLOT IS THAT THE NEW WRITERS 4 THE ONE LIFE TO LIVE REBOOT CANT IGNORE THAT CLIFFHANGER EVEN IF THE ACTORS DONT RETURN TO THEIR ROLES. THAT NEEDS TO HAVE A CONCLUSION/AS ALL MY CHILDRENS ENDING WITH THE SHOOTING. I WONT BY IT AS A PAM EWING DREAM LIKE THEY DID WITH BOBBYS STORY ON THE ORIGINAL DALLAS. I WANT SOMETHING MORE REALISTIC EVEN IF JUST TOLD IN VOICE OVERS. NO TREVOR ST. JOHN AS VICTOR THEN DO A RECAST. HE WAS A RECAST WHEN HE PLAYED TODD AND NOT MANY CARED.

The characters of Matthew and Destiny are key players to OLTL. Matthew is a legacy character, a Buchanan, Destiny is one of the few Afican American characters which Agnes Nixon wanted as part of the h core of the show. As anyone can tell , however, the actors that played them were young, and they played them young. The reality is that if you want to have unwed teen parents playing convincingly you need twenty somethings to do it. The struggle of M + D with baby Drew could be a great story telling canvas. I mean grandparents Bo and Nora! , bother David Vickers, Destinys gorgeous dad and mystery mother! It’s endless-writers have fun!

I never expected Eddie to come back, even last year because he move to LA but I know Shenell was supposed to come back last year but my guess and I could be wrong is that since they are apparently moving the taping to Conneticut maybe Shenell can’t do it because she goes to college in Brooklyn. Idk but like someone else said, I don’t really have a problem with them recasting Matthew even though Eddie is a great actor but I love Destiny (Shenell). She was my fave by the end. Really going to miss her on the show. It just won’t be the same.

IT JUST FEELS GOOD TO SEE ONE LIFE TO LIVE COMING BACK NO MATTER WHERE IT AIRS OR WHO RETURNS TO THE SHOW OR NOT.

I just can’t wait to see OLTL and can’t wait for spoilers of Matthew and Destiny. I hope the new Matthew and Destiny are 10x’s better than EA and SE. Which I still like them on OLTL. But, I want to see something intersting on their storyline. What you guys think?

I DONT KNOW WHY PROSPECT PARK THINKS IT NEEDS TO FOCUS MORE ON YOUTHFUL CHARACTERS INSTEAD OF VETS FOR ITS SERIALS. YOUNG AND RESTLESS HAS BEEN HIGHLY RATED FOR YEARS AND IT STICKS WITH FAMILIAR CHARACTERS IN ITS STORYLINES AND MANY ARE OVER FORTY. I LIKE THE MIX OF YOUNGER AND OLDER CHARACTERS GH IS DOING IT TOO, AND RATINGS HAVE GONE UP. THE HIGHEST RATED SHOWS IN PRIMETIME ARENT ALL ABOUT THE YOUNG. ILL WATCH A GOOD SHOW NO MATTER THE AGES. MAYBE YOUNG VIEWERS WOULD SHOW MORE RESPECT FOR THEIR ELDERS IF HOLLYWOOD WOULD START SHOWING MORE RESPECT FOR ACTORS OVER 40 BY GIVING THEM MORE TO DO.

Michael have you heard why Eddie and Shenell are not coming back? As far as I am concerned they should stick with the beloved characters and add new as they go along.
Thrilled that Erika and Bob will return with Robin. They are the heart and soul of OLTL.

oh, I was reading Daytime Confidential last night… saying PP is taking back the character names of Todd, John and Star and they’ll be “missing” off GH, but the actors themselves are on contract with ABC, and so they didn’t know if the actors would be playing those characters on the OLTL reboot or if they’ll be on GH as some other characters… but they said that the characters would come back to GH. One thing said the characters would come back after the reboot and another senctence said after a while…. so which is it? A short time? and how long is that? Or ‘after a while’ which would mean to me – not going to give a timeline!

I want to continue to watch Todd and Star and John on GH, and I’m sure Todd could come up with a new name if he had too (Rodd and Tom come to mind, te he he – nod to old OLTL storyline) … just so Roger, Kristen and Michael get to stay on GH, that’s what I really want.

oh yeah, they also had a couple photos from one of the new OLTL writers – list of characters and their ages next to them and sets they’re making.

I saw that todd and star were not on the list but then again they had one line scribbled out – so who knows who that was on the list.

I just read on Daytime Confidential yesterday that Matthew is a dead beat father and Destiny is being a hooker for Go daddy.com to make money to surpport her and Drew. They are looking for a light skin african american woman around twenty something to play destiny.

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51st Daytime Emmys: Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa Receive Talk Show Host Nominations

On Thursday, nominations were announced in the Outstanding Talk Show category for the upcoming 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards. 

Mark Consuelos (ex-Mateo, All My Children) coming off his first-year as co-host of ‘Live” with real-life wife, Kelly Ripa scored his first Talk Show Host nomination along with Ripa who has been nominated previous times.

Joining Mark and Kelly in the race are: Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Akbar Gbajabiamila, Amanda Kloots, Natalie Morales, Jerry O’Connell, Sheryl Underwood, The Talk and
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall.

Photo: CBS

As previously reported, The Talk is coming to its end when its upcoming 15th and final season ends in December of 2024.

The 51st annual Daytime Emmys are slated to be broadcast and stream live on CBS and Paramount+ on Friday night, June 7th

Look for the full list of nominations to drop on Friday morning at 12 noon ET/9 am PT.

So, are you rooting for Kelly and Mark to win their first Talk Show host award together? Comment below.

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51st Daytime Emmys: Outstanding Daytime Drama Series Nominations

On Thursday, the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards revealed nominations in several key categories via four entertainment news programs: Access Hollywood, E! News, Extra and Access Hollywood.

Three of the four announcements were major categories in the field of Daytime Dramas.

The nominees in the Outstanding Daytime Drama Series category are: The Bay, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of our Lives, General Hospital, Neighbours and The Young and the Restless.

Photo: JPI

General Hospital won this category last year, and has the most all-time wins for a series in this category. For the first time, the beloved Australian-based soap opera, Neighbours is now eligible for competition due to its reboot which streams on Amazon Freevee.

Photo: AmazonFreevee

The 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be handed out in ceremonies in Los Angeles and broadcast live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ on Friday night, June 7th.

Previous categories announced tonight via the entertainment news outlet included: Lead Actor and Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

So, what do you think about this year’s nominee for the Outstanding Daytime Drama Series? Who do you think should win? Comment below.

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The nominations were revealed for the 51st annual Daytime Emmys. in the prestigious Lead Actress in a Drama Series category by Entertainment Tonight.

This comes ahead of tomorrow’s full list that is set to be unveiled at 12noon/9am PST on Friday.

In the running for this year’s Outstanding Lead Actress are Tamara Braun (Ava, Days of our Lives), Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke, The Bold and the Beautiful), Annika Noelle (Hope, The Bold and the Beautiful), Finola Hughes (Anna, General Hospital), Cynthia Watros (Nina, General Hospital) and Michelle Stafford (Phyllis, The Young and the Restless).

Photo: Getty

Previous winners in this category include GH’s Finola Hughes, Cynthia Watros and Y&R’s Michelle Stafford.  Days of our Lives nominee had won in the Supporting Actress category twice in her career.

Earlier, the Lead Actor nominees were revealed and you can find them here.

Make sure to be with us Friday night, April 19th for the Michael Fairman Channel’s 10th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special beginning at 5 pm PT where we chat live with some of this year’s nominees.

So, what do you think about this year’s Lead Actress nominees? Comment below.

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