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Alicia Coppola Joins The Cast Of The Young and the Restless!

By Michael Fairman

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Photo Credit: Georgina Cates

Photo Credit: Georgina Cates

Daytime soap fans loved her as Lorna on Another World, and since depating Bay City in 1994, Alicia Coppola has been appearing in numerous films, primetime television, and stage roles.  But now Soap Opera Digest has learned that Alicia is coming back to the world of daytime drama!

Alicia has joined the cast of The Young as the Restless as a doctor named Meredith Gates.  She is set to make her on-screen debut on the upcoming April 13th episode of the CBS series.

After reading ten-pages of material on her character, Coppola told SOD: : “I haven’t really read something like that in a long time, something that was so dynamic and interesting that I automatically saw a backstory. She reminds me of Lorna. She feels things very deeply, and I just think there’s a lot more going on than what’s on the surface. I like that.”

So, what do you think about Y&R’s latest talent acquistion? Who will Meredith Gates be linked to in story? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

 

 

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This is fabulous news! I just saw her on NCIS: Los Angeles on Monday, March 21 in what was #NCISLA’s most heartwrenching episode yet!

Another “new” Pratt-created character nobody will care about – NEXT!

could n t have said it any better! lol
only way her character will be needed on the bloated canvas if she s mingling with the baldwins lauren and michael, or even mariah and kevin, they ve had nothing to do in months
i ve given up on jill unfortunately and could nt care less about lily and cane and have no idea why anyone else does honestly

I can’t believe she returned to daytime after all this time. I guess a paycheck is a paycheck.

I’m excited! I always liked “Lorna” on AW and have enjoyed all her guest roles on the primetime shows.
Hopefully this won’t be a disappointment, like so many other well-loved actors from other soaps, that have come on this show and been poorly written.

I guess I just don’t understand we lose Noah, we never see Mariah or Kevin, it took weeks to see Lauren, every third or fourth show we get to see Ashley & her doctor but they keep bringing in new recruits.Maybe if you didn’t give Summer (H.K.) every front burner story we would have room for our favorites again.

I couldn’t agree more. While I enjoyed Alicia on AW years ago, I don’t see the need for additional characters while only a few of the current ones get any screen time. I certainly could stand to see less of Summer.

True, Carol. Those who are familiar with Alicia , appreciate the actress. But, as yourself, I would like for Kevin, Mariah and others have more air time.
Perhaps, Dr,. Gates comes as a consultant for Ashley/Simon?

Nikki, you neglected to mention the two elephants in the middle of the living room.
Jill and Colin. Viewers only learned yesterday that Jill gave Billy Katherine Chancelor’s mansion so she and Colin could travel the world. We learned this after the fact from a dialogue which transpired between Billy and Phyllis—we did not even get to see this happen. Jill Foster Abbott, a legacy character, and Colin, not a legacy character but played by a highly talented and charismatic soap vet, are sent off to the pasture without a proper goodbye. No party, no good bye scenes and no gold watch.
I am sure this actress is wonderful but it’s hard to root new characters when the old veterans are being ushered out the back door. It’s also hard to breath a sigh of relief when you are “reassured” by soap bloggers that the actress who plays Marissa is not going any where.
Honestly, where was that reassurement when Jill and Colin were unceremoniously escorted out the back door?
Moreover, where is the outrage?

Harry 1 You are so right but I just get so angry at how we are losing core people for all the newbies. If you remember when Billy was in the hospital, Tracy Abbott gave the performance of her life. Crying at the bedside (I cried with her) telling Billy she would never forgive herself for being a neglectful sister and she promised him if he would get better she would be more attentive to him. Where is she? Harry do you remember when there we’re 3 families? The Abbotts, Newman’s, and the Brooke family and of course the Chancelor’s. We really didn’t need any other newbies. We have to stop losing core family and build from there. This new one coming in could be a new love for Noah!

Harry, I heard Jill’s portrayer is semi retired. If thats the case, recast the part and lets rebuild that Chancelor Estate now!

You’re right, Nikki. And if Jill is semi retired, doesn’t she deserve some kind of send off? Moreover, why couple Tristan with a character is off the canvas? I will never understand why both GH and Y&R continue to ignore this Aussie gem.

Wow Alicia welcome back to daytime, she is s terrific actress.

I dont mind her since they are slicing dead weight BUT lets continue down that path so if this new role is decent, she will be featured and not lost on the canvas. I really dont mind new characters but I wish they would reboot the Chancelors. I guess that dream is dead now since the GAMBLER had moved in! They killed Kay but they could have brought Tucker in and ran the house or Nina? Whose left, that punk Devon? What an immature joke!

thank you Timmm

truly… when I think that … Devon is “REALLY” – all – that’s left of Kay Chancellor on the canvas…

OK… Jess Walton was semi-retired in Oregon… so that’s a let

It disgusts me…. ??? would this have made a difference if they started writing him worth 2 billion dollars from the get go?

absolutely, NOT

Bryton James is not an actor… along with oh so weak Hunter King

That’s why I want Mac back, Patrick/Timmm. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Mac came back and discovered that Catherine’s will was fudged by an alcoholic Neil ( under the influence), who wanted his son to get the bulk of the inheritance?
Not only would that imbecile Devon lose the money, but also lose that gold-digging wily wife of his.
End of a tragic COMEDY OF ERRORS….CLASSIC!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE her!!!!!

I wonder if she is related to the Hollywood Coppolas.
I remember when I was a very small girl watching ANOTHER WORLD with my grandmother. Bits and pieces float in my heat…I remember Felicia Gallant, her mother, I think, so vividly. I guess because she was so flamboyant. I could still imagine the ‘ting’, and jiggling of her bracelets as she gestured here and there. So weird, right? ….for a little girl to remember little details like that.

@CeeCee, oh Lorna was a force to be reckoned with!!! She was such a great character originated by the brilliant Alicia Coppola, Robin Christopher took over the role. Do you recall that recast?
That was a big one back then, anyways, I don’t watch Y&R, but dang, they are lucky, to have Alicia Coppola, that is great for her, I hope they give her worthy material. She had fantastic chemistry with Linda Dano and Charles Keating (Carl). What a memorable character as was her momma, Felicia. I met Linda Dano, Charles Keating, Victoria Wyndham, and loads of others back in ’99 (?) at an Another World luncheon for fans, in NYC. Victoria invited me to set, I begged her to have a glimpse of what it was like on set. I’ll never forget her willingness, and also saw Love Letters off-off-Broadway with Vicky and Charles. Charles passed almost two years ago, and what a doll, I remember Alicia writing sweet words about Charles Keating on twitter. Anyways, AW was my favorite soap, I wonder how far back your Grandmother goes from beginning to watch AW. Classy soap, classy actors, and it was a soap that was murdered by JFP. I hope Alicia does well on Y&R.
She’s such a gem.

Yes, Jeremy…best soap, ever, according to my Gran. I believe she goes far back to the beginning. She loved Ada…then, there was SOMERSET. She loved that soap, as well. I believe Ad’s ‘brother’ starred in that soap, who is Mr. Angelino in the THREE’S COMPANY reruns…LOL.
Oh, Jeremy, my grandmother is the best storyteller. I wasn’t even born yet, but she is so descriptive and passionate about her soaps, I get confused and think that I was there, LOL.
Robin Christopher as in Skye Chandler? I don’t think I remember that…off to Boarding School. LOL. I did continue to watch, then I was hooked on Y&R; AMC; OLTL.
I loved Linda Dano, Victoria and Steven….all of them. Ahhh, Jeremy. You are touching a very sensitive part of my heart……
Thanks for the memories….Smiles, my friend.

Hi CeeCee do you remember Nancy Frangione (Cecile DePoulignac)? OMG I use to laugh at poor Rachael who use to go crazy with Cecile. I just loved Doug Watson (Mac Cory and his beautiful but crazy daughter Iris. Oh boy those we’re actors.

@ CeeCee, I loved Ada, too. Constance Ford, what a fierce broad.
I also remember Liz, so well spoken. I can’t think of the actress who played Liz, but she was good, too! So many, SO many of them were just that good, underrated. AW shot out in Brooklyn, went to the studio one day as Vicky Wyndham’s guest, one of the most memorable experiences.
Anyways, Robin Christopher took over the role of Lorna, after Alicia vacated the role. I didn’t watch AMC, though Skye was the daughter to Linda Dano’s character on that show, too?
Ah, Steven S. and Alice Barrett, what class acts, I met them too, gosh I’m kinda getting up there in age, I’m nearly 40 this year, but this was back in ’97 or ’99, before AW was cancelled at the fan luncheon.

You know of Another World, Cee Cee? That was WAYYYYYYYYYYYYY before my time but I heard really good things about it.

@Nikki.
Hey, Nikki. Unfortunately, Nancy Frangione left ANOTHER WORLD before I was born, LOL. But, my grandmother talked me into watching so many passe’ episodes, thst I, more or less, came to know mostly all the characters.
Mac Cory was Rachael’s second husband? They had a daughter, Amanda?
It’s a little fuzzy. But, I will skim the internet and take a refresher course. LOL.

@Laura.
I ask you why you ask me if I ‘know of’ ANOTHER WORLD? Why is that so incredible to you? I KNOW OF all the soaps, past and present, “Laura”. WAYYYYYYYYYY before your time?? And????? What is it that you want me to say? You do not watch, or KNOW of anything before your time? Radio soaps were before my time. GONE WITH THE WIND was before my time. ANCIENT ROME was before my time. SHAKESPEARE was before my time. Get my drift? I still KNOW of them.
Is there a point to your statement, “LAURA”?

@Laura.
I am a little puzzled, ‘Laura’. ANOTHER WORLD, I believe, went off the air about 16 years ago. I was 13 and remember it well. I was saddened; my Gran in tears.
So, if the soap was WAYYYYYYYYY before your time, you must be a in Grade School, now?

@Jeremy.
Hey, Jeremy,
Don’t forget Lenore….she now plays Castle’s mother, on CASTLE.

@CeeCee, Sweetheart,,,,,, on the same page, LOVE her!!!
Great casting choice, No relation to Francis Ford Coppola.

Thank you, sweet lady.
Friends of the family ( Coppolas) run a couple of restaurants in the city…no relations either.
But, it used to be a hub for the AMC/OLTL actors. That’s where many of them hung out. Those who reside in NYC continue to frequent the place.
I guess the name ‘Coppola’ is more common than I thought.

Past love interest of either Stitch or Michael Knight character.

Hopefully Michael E. Knight!

Yes, indeed! Let us give this gifted actor a story which doesn’t involve him swooning over Ashley.

Good guess, TearyTam. And, I’m with Timmm about Michael Knight.
A love triangle involving Ashley would be a gift. I never get enough of these two; now, adding Alicia to the equation , what a spicy story this would make.

Sweet Cee, I hate to break the news to you, and this is just speculation but Alicia [Love the name] is going to be a doctor in prison. Nikki is hitting the bottle again and has turned her back on Victor, Guess who the MUSTACHE is going to court???

@Timmm.
Love the pun, Timmmy…”court”. LOL.
So, you think The Mighty Oak is going to prison? If he does, there’s no way he will spend a prolonged period of time behind bars. Oh, no…not avictor Newman.
I haven’t watched today’s episode yet….so, I won’t speculate.
As far as Dr. Gates? Same thing….I cannot yet spe ulate. But, is Victor still “viable” without medical intervention? I am not trying to be cute, or anything, but Dr. Gates will be pretty dedperate to be attracted to him……unless; unless there’s a scheme underway.
I really could care less about Nikki. How many times can she ride thst horse? Perhaps i am being too hard. Alcoholism is an addiction…but, her weakness is her own fault, and, i am tired of her helpless-me-tied-to-the-railroad-tracks, already!!!! Aren’t you??
Maybe if she could manage to bring her nose down a notch, she’d also come down to earth.
Furthermore, Timmm, the other day she proclaimed herself a Newman. She is not a Newman….not her bloodline. Beside the fact that she has been married to different men, how many times?
I lost respect for her the first time she turned on her husband, but, kept going back to him.
Victor is despicable; but, if she lived her husband she should stick by him. I may be wrong having these ideals, but it is my opinion. Later, babes.

They just dropped people and are now hiring new. I guess we’ll see.

Yup, Mo…we have to sit tight and wait.
I have a theory about Victor’s trial. Michael is doing his best to ambush this trial how low. We all want to see Victor pay, Mo, but , as his attorney, Michael needs to be his champion. Even Christine is appalled and taken aback. Michael is an officer of the court….good grief!!
What will happen is, the court will be on to Michael and either a mistrial will be declared, with Michael losing his license; or just throw the case out.
The writers would never allow Victor to go to jail.

This trial. …how low can he go?.

How funny.. I just recently watched old episodes of AW on YouTube initially to see all the Vicky/Marley actresses and there was Lorna.. I really did like AC and on primetime too so she’ll do just fine

Awe yes, another AW fan, too! Which actress, Anne Heche, or Jensen Buchanan, I don’t believe Alicia Coppola was on when Ellen Wheeler played both roles. Vicky & Marley were some of my favorite characters on AW. And, Lorna too, with both Alicia Coppola and Robin Christopher.

The roles get so confusing for me, Jeremy. I watched a few episodes just now….Ellen Wheeler initiated the role then, Rhonda Lewin , followed by Anne Heche? Jensen came on board after her and then Cynthia Waltros ( the original Kelly Andrews on Y&R) took up the role while Jensen was on maternity leave. I think five actresses played the role.
I remember Alicia and Jensen very well, albeit I was sooo young…..But, I remember Ellen the best, as she picked up the role again, as Marley, in AW’s last run.
Did I get that right, Jeremy?
I just realized that Alicia lives in Suffolk County, Long Island ( closer to my neck of the woods)….. I always knew she was a New Yorker, but not from Long Island.
I love talking about this soao ‘stuff’.

I am surprised jimh ( leave it to beaver) isn’t on the board. I know for a fact he’s an AW aficionado. He knows everything there is to know about the soap, and then some.
I hope he’s OK.

AWESOME!!! Love Love….she’s a great actress. Hope it’s a long-term role 🙂

I’d rather see Jess Walton onscreen.

Y&R is unrecognizable with all these new people and sets, now another DOCTOR? Are they GH now?

I think JW has pretty well retired she lives in Oregon on a horse ranch her family is there. Also remember women are not suppose to get old and have a storyline that is in JFP’s bible.

That’s what I was thinking. GH=Genoa City Hospital

Great Actress, Pratt will screw it up.

I have not seen her before but hope they don’t run out of money and cut her before we find out who she is. She looks like a great match for Stitch if his horrid brat son approves of her.

Hope they give her a better and meatier role than they did to poor Jensen B. who was wasted as judge who had a past with Victor that never happened on screen. I get there are a lot of soap actors out there from cancelled shows, but honestly dragging in a big name just to play a character that use to be played by day players is such a waste. Either give them a real role or don’t bother–

I agree, Jensen deserved better than what Pratt and Phelps gave her.

Loved her as Lorna! I loved when they called Lorna “Cher” LMAO. I miss Another World!!!! You are my way to another world!!!

I agree, Another World was a great soap. My favorite after Guiding Light.

I don’t remember them calling Lorna “Cher” but I could totally see that!

That just made me think of the silly but fun storyline of Jake and Paulina on Madonna’s property and Paulina dressing up and posing as Madonna. I think she even fooled the guards lol.

I loved guiding light so much if it wasn’t for you tube and some old videos I’d be a basket case!

I’m lucky that I’ve got many years of it on DVD that were transferred from VHS tapes to watch, never get tired of GL!

I was asked what I think about it, but- nobody asked me if I cared..
OK- since you guys haven’t asked me if I care or not, I will tell you.
I do not care ………. bwa!

OMG Suoooo you make me laugh. Do we get to find out what exactly you don’t care about? Another World? the newbie Alicia Coppola or just the talk in general?

HaHaHa, su. You’re too much, babes. I love it!!

Well now we know who Jack’s new love interest will be.

That’s what I’m thinking!

Based on the longevity of doctors on this show — Emily Peterson, Sarge, Barton Shelby, Sandra Anderson — I wouldn’t bother decorating my dressing room if I were her.

(And yes, I know Stitch is still on the show but being paired with Abby is pretty much the definition of dead end so…)

I think she’s going to help Sharon after Sharon finds out about Sully because they need someone to take Dr. Anderson’s place.

Or she’s Anderson’s sister with a scalpel to grind.. Lord help us.. She’ll drug Sharon and have her marry Neil or Nikki..LOL

Oh davlestev1 You make me laugh. After today’s performance anything is possible. I’m still trying to make myself believe out there in the world there is a judge that is going to put up with a man on trial (Victor) putting up every member of his family one by one and questioning them about things (not related to the case) and going back to the days of Matt Clark. ha ha! as if! No judge would allow that, next he’ll be reminding Nikki how he BBQ their first burgers together at the pool he use to have in the old house.If we’re really going to allow him to go through this long ago junk why not bring in Mariah to tell how he paid her to scare the crap out of Sharon and drive her over the hill?

Hey, Nikki.
I thought spouses were not allowed to testify against each other?
By the by: I thought I was pretty much versed on Y&R , but I am not remembering Matt Clark. Since his name keeps coming up, i better school myself on his story…LOL.

@davlestev 1.
Oh, boy, dav; great word-play. I have always been a sucker for using words inside-out; upside-down, or anywhichway. Love your “scalpel to grind”.
I am so glad someone else has my quirky sense of humor.

Hi CeeCee I’m taking all my thoughts back . She’s going to be a prison doctor and I bet she falls in love with old Vic. This whole trial with Victor calling his family up is such nonsense. As if any judge would allow this in a court. Matt Clark raped Sharon and tore the red winter coat Nick bought her. When she finally told Nick about it , he beat up Matt and went to jail. Now I’m confused because I thought he was in jail but then why was Nick in jail for killing him? I’ll have to go back as well. later my friend

Hey, there, my desr Nikki,
I see that you and Timmmy are on the same thought process. So, there must be truth in your assumption.
Perhaps the new doctor/love interest will educe from Victor a side of himself we have never before seen. He will be human? A changed man?
I do agree with you about this being a cliwn court. Victor’s family parading…one and all…in front of the jury and the viewer was a joke.
And, since when has Chris given Phyllis given her the time of day?…. and vice versa? They hate each other…always have; since the beginning of time…..constantly throwing daggers at each other.
So, i do not buy this newfound civility.
Phyllis and anyone involved should face the judge and get his/her punishment for tampering and conspiring with the defendant’s counsel in trying to sabotage the trial.
Let’s not forget the dins Jack and Phyllis have in their portfolio and never paid the consequences. Not that I in Victor’s corner, but these two should not throw stones.
The THREE STOOGES, anyone?? LOL….What a debacle…..I expected Moe to suddenly appear —-poke everyone in the eyes and face-slap them in a row.
Thanks for explsining Matt Clark to me. But, why would Victor bring thst up?
Victor’s affable, teary trip fown memory lane was sooo obviously stages to draw the jury’s sympathy…..terrible writing!!!!!!!
What parent would not help his/her children?
Phew!!! Getting thst off my chest felt soooo good, Nikki…LOL

So sorry: was typing in a hurry!!!! Correction…dear;
clown court…..
Chris has given Phyllis the time of day.
SINS, not dins….
staged, not stages.

Very cool, she was amazing as Lorna on Another World. Glad to see her back on daytime. Y&R has been good at getting the old Proctor and Gamble actors on: Cynthia Watros, Jensen Buchanan and now Alicia Coppola.

I think she was hired as a doctor in an infirmary at the prison where Victor is. I think Victor is going to get real sick.

Loved her on Another World! I recently saw her on Showtime in That Gal who was in That Thing

In the past when y and r was good, these actors were not welcome on the show, now jfp and Pratt push out favs for actors from failed soaps.

If the role of Victoria would to have been recast, AC would have been perfect!!! I would love for her to have a past with Adam, maybe related to Sabrina (Victor’s dead wife)?

I think Victor is going to need a new love after his whole family is dismissed! Maybe her?

I think they will link her up with Victor once he goes to prison. He will either have a real medical condition that she helps him with and then uses to get out of prison or he will get her to help him contrive one

Seems the new doctor actually works at the prison, so there’s a chance she’ll be involved with Victor, not Jack. As for being a “fully fleshed-out female character,” we’ll see if she sings a different tune after a few weeks on the set, especially considering how Pratt & crew write for the rest of the women on the show, which in my opinion is extremely poorly.
wolfy

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Shares He Was ‘Happy to Hear’ of The Triangle Storyline Developing Between Dante/Elizabeth/Ric

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Dominic Zamprogna

General Hospital’s Dominic Zamprogna (Dante Falconeri) opened up about the burgeoning love triangle forming between his Port Charles alter-go, Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) and Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst) after recently aired scenes, plus his hopes for the future of a Dante and Liz pairing, during his appearance on the Sunday, April 23 edition of the That’s Awesome podcast with Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli).

On last week’s episodes of GH, Ric has made the decision that he wanted to propose to his ex-wife, only when he showed up at Elizabeth’s front door, he misread the scenario he walked in with Liz tending to Dante’s injured leg from the softball game. From there, the legal eagle’s jealous streak is reemerging which may cause him to act out and do something unforgivable, or will he take the high road? Stay tuned.

Speaking with Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson about where Elizabeth stands in the annals of the long-running soap, Zamprogna said, “She’s up there with Steve and Maurice (Maurice Benard) as one of the most legacy-filled people on the show.”

Courtesy/ABC

HOW DANTE AND ELIZABETH CAME ABOUT

Dominic jokes it’s a far cry for where Dante and Elizabeth previously, recalling, “We had some scenes together years ago and we were both laughing. Becky’s like, ‘Well, I guess we’re not going be paired up anytime soon.’ I remember we laughed immediately after they yelled ‘cut,”‘and said to each other, ‘Well, so much for that!'”

Fast-forward to early 2025 and as Zamprogna remembered it, “Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) came up to me at the General Hospital Christmas party, and I think it was a year and a half ago and she said, ‘We’re going to have you in scenes with Elizabeth,’ My internal monologue is going, ‘I’m not with Lulu (Alexa Havins) anymore and Sam’s (Kelly Monaco) gone, so maybe they want to see if this works.’ I didn’t want to get scenes with Becky and try to find the chemistry. I just wanted to play whatever honestly was written and came across for both of us and hope it was what people liked, and I don’t know if it is … or not.”

Knowing how beloved Elizabeth is to the GH faithfuls, Zamprogna added, “She got a big fan base with Ric … and a big fan base with with Jason … and you know, you’re going to piss somebody off. But, didn’t Ric drug Elizabeth and put Carly in a panic room?”

Dom and Liz

Photo: ABC

DANTE AND ELIZABETH PAIRING COULD STIR UP STORY FOR OTHERS IN PORT CHARLES

In closing, Dominic felt that the wide-reaching tentacles of a Dante and Elizabeth relationship is something he is 100% down for. “The triangle thing; I was happy to hear it was with Ric and her, because I felt it’s important to have her the top of it as opposed to Dante, Lulu and Elizabeth.”

Zamprogna added, “When you get into relationships on a soap, things seem to fizzle out a little bit, The buildup is what’s the fun part, and the getting to know each other, and the people who are affected by this coming together. When with this case it’s going to affect: Ric, Sonny, Lulu. There’s so much more story here. To me, it’s going to be a fun story to play.”

You can check out Dominic’s visit to That’s Awesome with Steve and Bradford below.

Now weigh-in: Are you rooting for Dante and Liz, or Dante and Ric at this juncture of the story, or neither guy  for Elizabeth? Let us know your thoughts and picks via the comment section.

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Beyond the Gates

‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Mike Manning Lands Role in Indie Horror Feature ‘Deify’

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Mike Manning

While Smitty tries to hold the fort down in his marriage to congressman Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon)  and their two teenaged children, Samantha (Najah Jackson) and Tyrell (Jaden Lucas Miller) on Beyond the Gates, Emmy-winner Mike Manning has also landed another feature film role.

According to Deadline, Manning has joined the cast of Deify with 6 other new cast members for the indie psychological horror film starring Neal McDonough and Skeet Ulrich, which was previously announced last week.

Joining Manning as the latest cast addition are: Dennis Haysbert, Ashley Greene,  Casey Harnett, Kirk Avecdo, Anji White, anf Nicholas Chimera who’s directing the pic also has a part in the film.

WHAT’S THE STORY OF DEIFY?

Taking to his Instagram with the news of his casting, Manning shared, “A movie about a cult? What could possibly go wrong? Come for the enlightenment. Stay because they won’t let you leave. DEIFY is coming…”

The movie is currently shooting in Chicago and in story, “a cult leader is put on trial after causing his devoted followers to be burned alive. The film is inspired in part by events surrounding the 1993 Waco, Texas, standoff between members of the Branch Davidians church and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, one of the largest civilian firefights ever recorded on American soil.”

MIKE MANNING IS A DAYTIME EMMY NOMINEE

In addition, the multi-talented Manning is a producer on the feature. Previously, Mike was nominated last month in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. He previously won an Emmy for his role on The Bay and for being a producer on the digital drama.

Mike’s previous credits include the role of Charlie Dale on Days of Our Lives and the Manny on This Is Us, plus various primetime and screen credits.

So intrigued to find what role Mike will play in the upcoming horror/cult film, Deify? Enjoying him as Smitty on Beyond the Gates? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

GH and OLTL Alum Patrick J. Gibbons Reveals the Story Behind Writing Trina’s Song on ‘General Hospital’ (Exclusive)

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Patrick J. Gibbons

At the conclusion of today’s August 21 episode of General Hospital, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) sings a lullaby to baby Dez, that went into a montage to close out the episode as her father Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) reports to Pentonville and winds up in his jail cell.

However, in a fun fact, the song entitled, “A Lonely Heart To Give” was actually written by none other than former One Life to Live and General Hospital actor, Patrick J. Gibbons.

Daytime fans first met Gibbons as Sam Manning on One Life to Live. At the time, when he started on the soap, he was just 5-years-old. Gibbons played the part from 2010-2013 on ABC and Prospect Park’s editions of the show. Fast-forward to 2018, Gibbons shows up on General Hospital as Wyatt Hoover, the scout who seemed always be injured, but in the thick of the drama. Patrick had appeared on GH multiple times as Wyatt including: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023.

Photo: ABC

FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER’S DEATH CAME THE INSPIRATION FOR HIS SONG

Now in 2026, General Hospital fans are getting to learn about another side of Gibbons’ talent as a songwriter and guitar player after “A Lonely Heart to Give” debuted today! Michael Fairman TV caught up with Patrick, who is now a senior at Penn State entering his final year as a finance major, to get the back-story of how his song wound up on GH!

Gibbons explained he wrote the song in honor of his grandmother who passed away a few years ago with whom he was, very, very close with. “Randomly, my grandmother had a downfall and passed away during the second semester of my sophomore year. I was in my dorm a lot and I was just playing with my guitar. And at the time, I was really into finger-style playing. I wrote the lyric and music to it (with a little help from my guitar teacher Lou), and my mom showed the rough demo to Frank Valentini (EP, General Hospital). He’s like an uncle to me. Frank loved it so much he said, “Finish that up. I want to hear the whole thing, and I want it on the show.”

MAKING MUSIC FOR GENERAL HOSPITAL

Gibbons and his parents took the next steps! “So now, all we needed was a female voice, because I thought that would fit the song well,” Patrick shared. “At the golf club we go to my parents were at a dinner. They liked the singer that was performing and spoke to her about the song, and she says she would like to bring it to her ‘boss’ who ended up being Eric Bazilian of the Hooters fame!” (Bazilian also wrote the smash hit song “One of Us” for Joan Osborne).

Next, “We went in the studio and recorded it and the song came together and it was beautiful. We loved it. They loved it at General Hospital and now they’re putting it the show and they are coming in with a piano, instead of a guitar. Paul Glass, the GH musical director, has been keeping us updated over the last six months of how it was coming along, and when it would air, and how GH put their own arrangement to it. I can’t wait to see and hear what they did with it.”

Photo: JPI

PATRICK’S ONE LIFE TO LIVE FAMILY

Everyone knows that the One Life to Live extended family share a very tight bond, and Patrick said he does stay in touch with a few of his former One Life to Live co-stars, especially those from the Manning family! “I stayed in touch with Kassie DePaiva (ex-Blair) and sent her little videos here and there. She was like my second mom for five years. We keep in contact with Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) over X the most, and she can’t believe how big I’ve gotten. Like, none of them can! (laughs). I also loved working with Roger Howarth (ex-Todd) and Trevor St. John (ex-Todd and Victor Jr.), and to me since I was so young, they were just my friends, ‘Roger and Trevor,’ not Todd Manning or Victor Jr.”

It was a trip to California and a visit to Port Charles that ultimately led to Gibbons second soap role of Wyatt Hoover. Patrick explains, “In 2016, Frank Valentini invited us out to Los Angeles to visit the set of General Hospital. I think he heard me say, ‘This is so much fun. I miss being on the set.’ He goes, ‘You should come out. I’ll bring you on the show. We can make you a character.'”

A few years later, Patrick’s dream became a reality! “Then, by the summer of 2018, I was playing Wyatt, the scout, and shared scenes with Wes Ramsey (Peter August), and the best was when I shared a scene with Roger Howarth and Michael Easton (ex-John, OLTL and ex-Silas, Finn et al, GH), it was like chemistry from the old days.”

Photo: PGibbons

IT’S ALL IN THE NUMBERS

As to his future aspirations, it’s a career in the finance game that has piqued Gibbons’ real-life interest. But never say never to a return to acting. Patrick explained, “I’ve always enjoyed numbers. And on top of that, one of the biggest parts of finance is being personable and outgoing.”

He continued, “That’s one of the greatest skills I developed growing up. I really love the markets. I’m super interested. I’m never going to close the door to acting. I’m always open to that because I just love it so much. It’s such a great art.”

Take note! If there are any investment bankers or private equity folks among the GH faithful looking for a young analyst next year, Patrick’s DMs are open. You can find him on X at @PatrickJGibbons.

So, what did you think of the song sung by Trina on today’s GH that was written by Patrick J. Gibbons? Did you enjoy Patrick’s performances as One Life’s Sam and GH’s Wyatt? Would you like to see him back on GH at some point? Let us know via the comment section.

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