News
Y&R’s Eileen Davidson Reveals Another One of Ashley’s Alters Will Emerge Soon
Eileen Davidson (Ashley Abbott) is used to playing multiple characters on daytime soap operas. After all, the two-time Daytime Emmy-winning star of The Young and the Restless, also played five characters at one in the form of Kristen DiMera/Susan Banks/Thomas Banks/Sister Mary Moira/Penelope on Days of our Lives.
However in 2024, Davidson is playing different parts of Ashley’s personalities (her alters) instead of five actual distinct people. Harkening back to Ashley’s early days, the character first displayed mental health issues in the 80s. In a recent conversation with Y&R EP and head writer, Josh Griffith, discussing Ashley’s issues helped inspire the scribe to craft a story for the popular actress.
Speaking with TV Insider on her juicy new storyline, Davidson shared that it had to be, “more subtle, especially in the beginning,” of how Ashley was actually different alters without anybody knowing. “She didn’t want to tip anybody off. As time went on, they each became more assertive.”
Photo: JPI
According to Davidson, Ashley’s alters include: “Ms. Abbott, Ash, and another one to be revealed soon.” In balancing playing each of the variances of the alters, Eileen shared, “It takes a lot of concentration. It makes my head hurt because it’s Ashley and then sometimes mid-scene, I’m becoming the alter, so I’m starting off as one and ending up as another who’s talking to someone else in her head.”
Photo: JPI
Coming up, Ashley’s family will stage an intervention to try to get to the root cause of what is going on with her. Davidson explains, “That is intense because it’s at a very high decibel. It’s Ms. Abbott and she’s fighting for her life and the gloves are off.”
This week on the April 1st episode, Y&R teasers share: Ashley has a rude awakening, while on the Wednesday, April 3rd episode, Ashley makes a confession to Traci (Beth Maitland).
So, are you enjoying thus far Ashley’s DID storyline? What do you think will be the name of the new alter? Share your theories via the comment section below.
I’m loving it
Eileen Davidson is a wonderful actress, love this new storyline. Colleen Zenk as Aunt Jordan is doing a terrific job playing cray cray. Loved her as Barbara Ryan on As The World Turns. I am hearing rumors that Jordan will die soon. Hopefully this is not true.
Eileen has the chips to do the story but I don’t trust JG to write it
Agreed and agreed! In the right hands, with Davidson to work with, it could be a phenomenal story. But with the current regime, not gonna happen. I end up laughing at most of it.
The writers should do more research or have a mental health professional consulting. This is not believable. If you know any real facts about DID then this is not based on reality. But hey! Sometimes our soaps do not have to be based on facts to be enjoyable.
These writers do very little research, and it shows in the end product.
Don’t know how I feel about this with Ashley. However, felt writers were doing a rather senstiive job with the young boy and his struggling parents. For me, some of the new actors have been exceptional. I am not an astute follower, but the crazy aunt and the new Newman daughter/granddaughter all stand out in their field.
Wish writers would either define Phyllis or get rid of her. For some reason I don’t mind Ashley’s past husband. (I don’t always remember the names). He carries an interesting/hidden charm.
The storylines have been far too scattered, but I watch. It was pleasing to see the Newman brothers finding some peace regarding Conner’s mental health issues. The young boy is standing out with his performances.
I have had enough of the crazy aunt. There is something very absorbing about Claire, is that her name?
Have missed your posts but for someone who doesn’t watch on a regular basis you seem to have a very good handle on the way things are going. Hey, I watch all the time and I can’t always remember the names and specifics. A lot of fans are complaining about the show but I’m enjoying the many plot-lines.Hope to hear from you more often.
Hey, Tani—it’s been a while—Agreed about Phyllis. It seems TPTB don’t know where to put her or what to do with her. I love Michelle—my favorite, in fact. So, I don’t like the “scatter” either—Everything you write is en pointe, as usual. Later, I hope❤️
Perhaps, Ashley’s multiple personalities stem from a deep-rooted resentment she harbors for all Abbotts—John was not her biological father—- especially, Billy , who is not her bio brother, either.
Hi Celia
You could be right but growing up, she didn’t know that John was not her birth father ,she didn’t find that out until she was a lot older. They had the old hag Mamie playing mama to them after Dina left herself and Jack. Billy had his own mother Jill always scheming to get John back after they divorced. She’s had other mental problems over the years, see if your Granddma remembers any of that stuff.
Yeah—that makes sense. Ashley didn’t have much of a mother, either—-Dina was always like a ghost. And, you’re right about Mamie and Jill—one exception; Mamie really gets on my nerves like no other. I don’t get the hauteur. She acts like a Prima Donna—roll out the red carpet, everyone!!
Celia, that’s exactly how I feel about Mamie. Here, she’s a housekeeper all these years and finally Jill pays her a million dollars to get rid of her and now she’s back with a vengeance, making everyone’s lives hell trying to take their company away from them and don’t even get me started on those pipe curls.
I wish I could ask Eileen what has been the hardest to play, Ashley with her Alters or Kristen DeMera, Susan Banks plus her brother and sister on DOOL.
Breaking News
Patrick Mulcahey OUT as General Hospital Co-Head Writer
After various reports surfaced, it has been confirmed that Patrick Mulcahey is out as the co-head writer of General Hospital. This is after a very short tenure of under five months.
Mulcahey was named to the position back in January of 2024 along with longtime GH writer Elizabeth Korte. They replaced the team of Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor, who had been the head scribes of the long-running ABC daytime drama since 2019.
A source informed Soap Opera Digest that stories created by the co-head writing team of Mulcahey/Korte team will air through mid-summer. However they added “There will be more news to share at a later date as to the composition of the new writing team.”
In addition, eagle-eyed soap fans have seen that in recent episodes former co-head writer, Chris Van Etten has been credited, as he is reportedly a breakdown writer with the show.
Soap Opera Network is reporting that Korte has assumed the head writing duties solely on her own at the moment, while Buzz blog initially reported Mulcahey’s exit.
We will have more on the GH writing team evolution in the days ahead.
What do you think about the writing team changes at GH thus far? Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
TONIGHT: ‘Daytime Stands Up – A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer’
On Thursday night May 16th, the daytime community comes together for Daytime Stands Up – A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer, streaming live at 8 pm ET/5pm PT.
Stand Up To Cancer, in collaboration with leading daytime community voices Michael Fairman and Alan Locher, are coming together for a first-of-its-kind livestream event, Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer … We All Have a Story.
The three-hour benefit will feature stars from the world of daytime drama television past and present, musical performances, and stories of emotional on- and off-screen experiences with cancer. Special celebrity guests will also join the effort to encourage viewers to support urgently needed research and new cancer treatments. You can watch live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, The Locher Room or the Stand Up To Cancer website.
In support of the event, SU2C will simultaneously launch a 10-day eBay silent auction, from May 16 through 26, for soap opera fans to bid on a wide range of items, including a meet-and-greet experience with the cast of NBC’s Days of Our Lives; an autographed script from the cast of CBS’s The Young and the Restless and signed merchandsise from CBS’s The Bold and the Beautiful cast; a 1:1 video call with General Hospital’s Cynthia Watros, Maura West and Laura Wright, and with daytime legends Robert Newman, Vincent Irizarry, Colleen Zenk, and more. Full details will be shared the evening of May 16, at StandUpToCancer.org/DaytimeStandsUp.
As part of the event, you will hear, cancer survivorship stories from General Hospital’s Cameron Mathison and The Young and the Restless’ Colleen Zenk, who will reflect on the impact of publicly sharing their diagnoses; and 2024 Daytime Emmy nominee Eric Braeden, who shares his battle with bladder cancer
Daytime icon Jackie Zeman, who played nurse Bobbie Spencer on General Hospital for 45 years, shared by daughters Cassidy MacLeod and Lacey Gorden.
Elizabeth Hubbard who played the iconic Lucinda Walsh on As the World Turns and Dr. Althea Davis on The Doctors, shared by her on-screen daughter Martha Byrne and real-life son Jeremy Bennett.
Two-time Emmy Award-winner Jerry verDorn (Guiding Light / One Life to Live), shared by widow Beth verDorn and his on-screen wife on Guiding Light, friend and co-star Liz Keifer.
Andrea Evans, who played Tina Lord Roberts on One Life to Live, shared by her husband Stephen G. Rodriguez and daughter Kylie Rodriguez.
Kamar de los Reyes shared by his One Life to Live co-stars Michael Easton (General Hospital) Trevor St. John (The Young and the Restless).
Poignant reflections from actors who have portrayed breast cancer survivors, including Sharon Case and Eileen Davidson from The Young and the Restless; Erika Slezak from One Life to Live; Tina Sloan and Kim Zimmer from Guiding Light and more.
Additional talent slated to participate in the virtual benefit include (subject to change): Eddie and Kristen Alderson (One Life to Live); Elia Cantu (Days of Our Lives); The Day Players, featuring Days of Our Lives castmates Carson Boatman, Brandon Barash, Wally Kurth (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee), Eric Martsolf (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee); Kassie DePaiva (One Life to Live); Don Diamont (The Bold and the Beautiful); Linsey Godfrey (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee, Days of Our Lives); Leo Howard (Days of Our Lives); Lesli Kay (The Bold and the Beautiful); Eden McCoy (General Hospital); Kin Shriner (General Hospital); and Michelle Stafford (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee, The Young and the Restless).
You can watch the Daytime Stands Up livestream below. Now let us know if you have a cancer story that has affected your life via the comment section below, or how a daytime TV character who went through a cancer battle, gave you strength and courage in your own journey.
General Hospital
General Hospital Receives Stage Dedication
General Hospital has yet another moment to cherish in their storied 61-year history. ABC Entertainment executives honored the daytime dramas cast and crew on May 10, 2024, by dedicating Stage 4, where the series is filmed as “The General Hospital Stage.”
ABC made the decision to acknowledge the show with the stage dedication last year, when it hit its 60th anniversary.
Network executive, Nathan Varni shared via Facebook, “This event was supposed to take place in April, 2023 but due to a multitude of reasons was postponed. Well, we finally celebrated the legacy and history of General Hospital with a stage dedication placard that will live on forever! Thanks to everyone involved with the show for all your hard work, dedication and passion for continuing to keep this show alive and running! Congrats to all involved! We deeply admire and appreciate everyone who works around the clock to bring this series to life 255 days a year!”
Photo: ABC
The stage dedication plaque reads: THE GENERAL HOSPITAL STAGE. IN HONOR OF THE ICONIC TELEVISION DRAMA’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY. SERIES DEBUT APRIL 1, 1963.
Cast members who were in attendance to be part of the dedication included: Jane Elliot (Tracy), Kelly Monaco (Sam), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Donnell Turner (Curtis), Kristina Wagner (Felicia), Maura West (Ava), Brook Kerr (Portia), Kirsten Storms (Maxie), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn), Chad Duell (Michael), Robert Gossett (Marshall), Eden McCoy (Josslyn), Josh Swickard (Chase), Jeff Kober (Cyrus), Hudson West (Jake) and Vernee Watson (Stella).
Photo: ABC
GH is not only the longest-running daytime soap on the air, but it is now longest-running scripted drama in all of television. The series continues to hold the record for the most Outstanding Daytime Drama award wins, taking home the Daytime Emmy Award a record 16 times. To date, GH has filmed over 15,468 episodes.
Share your congrats to GH for their stage dedication which will continue to preserve their legacy for years to come.
Patrick Mulcahey OUT as General Hospital Co-Head Writer
TONIGHT: ‘Daytime Stands Up – A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer’
General Hospital Receives Stage Dedication
Steve Burton Confirms New Relationship
GH’s Wally Kurth on Ned’s Talk To Brook Lynn Before Walking Her Down the Aisle: “Everytime I Read it, I Choked Up. At Rehearsal, I Choked Up”
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: What Shocker Awaits at Chase and Brook Lynn’s Wedding?
Days of our Lives Favorite Judi Evans Shares Touching Remembrance of Son Austin on Mother’s Day
GH’s Nancy Lee Grahn Speaks Out for Jailed Former On-Screen Daughter, Haley Pullos
GH’s Amanda Setton Previews Brook Lynn & Chase’s Wedding: “It’s a Really Satisfying Payoff for the Fans”
Steve Burton Confirms New Relationship
TONIGHT: ‘Daytime Stands Up – A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer’
Motion Picture Star Chris Hemsworth, a ‘Home and Away’ Alum, Defends Soap Operas, ‘It Used to Bother Me When Actors Would Later Talk About the Show with Guilt or Shame”
‘The Bold and the Beautiful Music from the Series Volume Two’ Released Featuring Dramatic Story Themes
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: What Shocker Awaits at Chase and Brook Lynn’s Wedding?
Jensen Ackles to Make His ‘Tracker’ Debut
-
General HospitalMay 10, 2024John J. York Back at General Hospital
-
General HospitalMay 11, 2024GH’s Adam J. Harrington Reveals the Behind the Scenes Story of Becoming John “Jagger” Cates
-
General HospitalMay 13, 2024GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: What Shocker Awaits at Chase and Brook Lynn’s Wedding?
-
Days Of Our LivesMay 12, 2024Days of our Lives Favorite Judi Evans Shares Touching Remembrance of Son Austin on Mother’s Day
-
General HospitalMay 9, 2024Giovanni Mazza Joins General Hospital as Brook Lynn’s Cousin
-
NewsMay 8, 2024Y&R’s Zuleyka Silver Gets Engaged