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B&B’s Executive Producer and Head Writer Brad Bell Talks The Sheila Carter Effect!
Courtesy/CBS
One of the most enticing of all daytime dramas right now to check out is The Bold and the Beautiful, especially now with the shocking return of all-time soap villain, Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown)
The series head writer, and executive producer, Brad Bell chatted with TV Insider to give fans some answers to their questions including some teases into just what Kimberlin Brown’s return as Sheila will be back in story for, how they sidestepped the last time Sheila was seen on Y&R when the character was played by Michelle Stafford, and how the CBS Daytime series was able to keep Sheila’s return under-wraps.
Here are a few interesting excerpts from TV Insider’s chat with Brad.
Brad on how they kept Kimberlin Brown’s return a secret: “We gave Kimberlin Brown a code name, snuck her into CBS incognito every day and swore the cast and crew to secrecy. There’s nothing quite like a jaw-dropping soap surprise, so it’s good to know it’s still possible to pull one off, especially in this era of social media. I’m very excited to have Kimberlin back. [Laughs] She knows how to give good tag.”
Brad on what is planned in story now that Brown is signed on for a one-year contract: “This is a big arc. We will watch it closely and hope for success. We all thought Stephanie was pretty bad, but now that Eric is caught between Sheila and Quinn, Stephanie’s looking like a pussycat. I think we have all the ingredients for a great, long story. Yes, it looks like we’ve brought back the devil, but Sheila’s first moves on the show have been good. She even thinks Quinn is a great person and she’s really happy Eric married her. But then Sheila will learn more about Quinn and what she’s been up to and suddenly it’s, “Hmm…maybe Quinn isn’t so wonderful after all. Maybe Eric needs my help.” So she and Quinn will become rivals.
Brad on the decision to not play into the history of Sheila where Michelle Stafford last played the part as a Phyllis doppelganger on Y&R: “So we are focusing solely on what previously happened with Sheila on B&B. That’s my universe and the only way I can embrace the character right now. What happened in Genoa City stays in Genoa City.”
Brad on a potential crossover for Sheila to Y&R now that a grown-up Scott Grainger (Daniel Hall) is on the canvas: “Sheila was completely obsessed with him. So, yeah, there is definite potential there. We may do something, I’m not ruling it out.”
So, excited to see Sheila and Quinn duke it out over Eric Forrester? What other evil deeds do you think Sheila will ultimately pull off this time out? Share your thoughts on B&B’s plans for Sheila and let us know what you would like to see happen while she is on the canvas in the comment section below!
Team Sheila all the way she will wipe the floor with Quinn once she finds out about Ridge and Quinn nothing but good old fashion soapy goodness! KB expresses so much with just lifting a eyebrow and a smirk she is so good the female version of Roger Thorpe on Guiding Light you knew he was a scroundrel but you could not take your eyes off of him.
I agree with your comments. As I was watching today, I knew Sheila would have something to do with Quinn and Ridge’s secret coming out. This is going to be great soap opera. All older fans need to tune back in and get ready. It is going to be a bumpy ride.
Great comparison to Sheila and Roger Thorpe from Guiding Light! Totally agree.
Hi, Kay,
Pardon the intrusion. As I stated, I don’t watch B&B, but I had to tune in for Sheila, if only this once.
I could not believe her demeanor….she’s a different person, it seems.
She must make an appearance on Y&R, sooner or later….too much mystery going on with Tessa and Zack. I am almost positive the threee are connected, and, Nikki will be one of the many to pay the price.
@CeeCee….Well, thank goodness you checked-in here! With the “CyberGods” almost constantly conspiring against us, the rare occasions that we actually can share a two-way conversation are about as common as a blue moon! (Although I do always try to reply….like just yesterday on the “Sam” and “Maxie” threads…I made numerous attempts to remark to your and others’ interesting thoughts, yet managed to post only a measly brief one to you ala the Maxie. But at least it was a goody! LOL…) Still, I’m glad that you were able to enjoy my waxing nostalgic on the way “B&B” (and by extension, ALL soaps) used to be. I know you wouldn’t think it now by my disapproving tone regarding pretty much all things GH, but I was once a totally avid soap fan….used to “VCR” numerous shows and episodes and even required multiple recorders in which to do so…I still harbor nothing but the fondest of memories about so many fictional daytime places, people and storylines that inhabited my formative years….they were, quite simply put, phenomenal! Alas, such is no longer the case, and it is nearly impossible not to express my utter disappointment in that fact. The newfangled form of soap operas simply leaves me bereft!!! But that’s neither here nor there, one finds other sources to take their place…I have my UK/European entertainment that conforms to my personal tastes…which leads me to a really valid question…What the deuce is so verboten about discussing the subject of Poldark here???? We see the most lengthy, tangential discussions about binge-watching all sorts of off-topic programs and yet, I’m the one who gets moderated for a few lines about a truly excellent series for whom numerous contributors here have previously noted their own enjoyment!!! Hmmmm….At any rate, I hear you on the weird playthings to which today’s kiddos are being subjected…I can recall not so long ago when avant-garde artists used to literally butcher Barbie and Ken into their own punk, nerd, trailer park or fill-in-the-blank versions with greatly hilarious results…it was harmless fun! But to seriously mass-market these—and other—freaky incarnations as suitable toys for the youngest of our consumers is another thing altogether. Children need to remain children in their purest, most instinctual form…they should be allowed to find their own way before being exposed to any agenda beyond just providing them a happy, healthy, safe and nurturing upbringing. If nature takes an unexpected U-turn later on, well, one prays for the strength to deal with that in the most accepting, loving manner possible for the best interest of the child, but I think that pushing any notion that goes against the age-old traditionally-accepted customs of childrearing should be avoided until any youngster has arrived in their own (individual) good time at some sense of themselves. I realize that may be considered controversial in our modern-day environment, but sobeit! Lastly, I hope Sheila does eventually find her way to GC since so many viewers like yurself seem to desire answers to her previous activities there…I can relate. I’m still waiting…and waiting…and waiting!….for umpteenth resolutions to the sloppy loose ends that have become a far-too-frequent occurrence on GH! Later, mia amica! (Fingers crossed this one makes it to your inbox….)
Also agree on Sheila and Roger Thorpe…the years that Roger Thorpe was on GL canvas and when Douglas Marland was writing GL, can’t miss a day and always long to tune in each day to see what is happening.
She is not at all like Roger Thorpe! Michael Zaslow was classy to a T!!
@k/kay…”Good old-fashioned soapy goodness,” indeed! It’s been an absolute age since I watched B&B—when it turned into “The Brooke Show” I tuned out permanently….I couldn’t abide that blandly-blonde social-climbing creature from “Day One!”—but some of my fondest memories of that soap are of the utterly unhinged Sheila! Her wrathful revenge antics were just off-the-chart awesome! Of course, I am also delighted for Kimberlin Brown’s return to the airwaves, as well…she’s too talented to be spending her days simply farming avocados! As for your previous comments about nuRidge, I totally concur….despite his often cardboard-like presence, Ronn Moss was Ridge personified, and his recast should have at the very least emulated some of his style and elegance, not to mention, extremely polished good looks! Even all these years later, I’ll never forget the debut of this series when Ridge and his brother Thorne stunned with their otherworldly handsomeness….OMG!!!!
LOL, Shay….hi, by the way,
To be honest, I never watched B&B because neither my mother, nor my grandmothers watched, sooooo…
Then, when Don Diamont made the transition from Y&R, it stopped me even further. Nothing against the actor, but Brad Carlton was cringe-worthy for me. I had developed a strong antipathy for him, due to his not-too-savory persona. Couldn’t stand him.
I only know Ronn Moss from PLAYER, the defunct? rock band. And, yes he was hot—smoldering hot.
Was he involved with Eileen Davidson, at one point?
Anyway, back to Sheila…..I keep harping on this because I really EXPECT her to show up in GC, albeit many fans want to let that part of her life go…disintegrate into oblivion.
But, how can that work? If I were both a B&B and Y&R watcher, everytime I’d see her, my mind would automatically swing to Sheila’s Y&R past history. I wouldn’t be able to omit or erase that vision from memory.
I think it stands to reason and logic she would make an appearance….especially if Zack and Tessa are an integral part of what’s coming down the pike, involving Sheila.
Those who watch Y&R know Sharon suspects Zack….I suspect his on-line dating “business” is questionable—it’s a cover-up for something iniquitous… ahh, gee, I don’t know—–a prostitution ring? LOL.
Hey, CeeCeeGirl!!!!!….At last we connect, though certainly not for lack of trying! (I sent you at least three responses on the subject of Nurse Amy….a total exercise in futility!) Mercifully, I quit my B&B habit long before the arrivals of the ridiculously-named “Dollar Bill,” aka, Don Diamont, and the seriously underwhelming reconstituted Ridge, but when the show first began, oh, what a sight to behold! Even in the late ’80’s, when drop-dead gorgeous men were a multi-soap staple, “The Bold and the Beautiful” lived up to its name from “Day One” when the “Brothers Forrester” emerged on the tv screen for the first time…To say I was impressed beyond words is a true understatement! “Thorne” was portrayed by a rather awkward, but sweet, neophyte actor/former model who looked like the walking, talking version of “Malibu Ken!” (Unlike today’s pathetic new “manbunned” incarnation…have you seen that awful thing? Eewwwwww! ) He was, to put it quite simply, “All-American” perfection personified….blond-haired, green-eyed, you know, my idea of the ultimate male! LOL. Then, as if that weren’t enough to “send me,” we had the tall, dark, brooding Ridge whose flawless facial features looked like they’d been sculpted by a master artiste! This time, even I was uncharacteristically smitten by this unbearably divine specimen of masculine brunette beauty! Soooo….yeah, those were definitely the halcyon days of B&B! (There was also a stunning blonde actress who played sister Kristin and even Susan Flannery’s Stephanie was initially an impossibly-soigne’ Beverly Hills matron who was a real looker!) Alas, today’s show cannot hold a candle to the elegance and sophistication that was the soap’s trademark in its early years….I would now term it “bland and boring” by its previous standards.) At any rate, one of the highlights during those years was the introduction of bat-guano crazy Sheila onto the show’s canvas….she was off-the-wall bonkers, but it just worked!!! Whenever something went awry in “Forresterland” one’s first thoughts wandered to this wicked wench of a woman, and sure enough, Sheila was usually back from the dead—or whatever—for more mirthful menacing! As for her time in Genoa City, yes, I do recall her part in some earlier famous capers there, as well, though not as fondly as what wrath she wrought to the B&B-ers. Hence I cannot really fill in the blanks about how these two soaps can reconcile their mutual inconsistencies in terms of her many merry forays into insanity! All I know is that I am truly delighted that Kimberlin Brown has returned to daytime….she is one of its most-storied she-devils and those who still watch B&B are in for a real treat to be sure!!!!
Hello there, Shaybelle,
Would you believe that the only reason I have “caught” your post was due to the fact that I scrolled back to check??
I am not receiving any replies in my inbox. I have no idea why!!!! I have a different email address from my personal or “business” one. I have been using/sharing my sister-in-law’s, with a one-letter difference. All I get are unwanted, stupid ads.
Yes, I have seen the ‘sexless’ dolls. Unreal. Hasbro has designed non-gender toys ….for what? So both boys and girls may play with ‘interchangeable’ toys.
I have yet to see my little Rosie play with my son’s matchbox cars or his Transformerr collection etc…..she wants her Little Ponies.
Strange. Totay’s kids will grow up completely off their axis…no individuality….if the state of the world weren’t confusing enough, as it is….
You do illustrate the way B&B was in its heyday. Soaps have always been a part of my life. Every past or present character of any soap, unfailingly, stirs special memories–with me, it has always been Sharon and Nick. (Y&R).
More importantly, every storyline had me enthralled.
Sheila is etched in my brain. As young as I was, I remember the craziness well. She was that impressive.
I do hope she shows up in Genoa City. There is sooo much story waiting for her to finish.
This is going to be sooooooooo good!
Love Sheila Carter but I don’t like the whole “I’ll just ignore what happened on Y&R” mindset since the shows have an established shared universe with numerous crossovers. The show needs to respect the audience by presenting a logical explanation for the character’s return that respects her history and then move on with the story it wants to tell.
Also, I’m finding it hard to believe that Eric hasn’t called Lauren to let her know that her arch enemy is out of prison and back on the streets…
Give him time. He absolutely has to do that, since that bit of history cannot be ignored. I’m all for the crossovers, it would do a world of good for both shows.
I have been saying the same thing, about Eric not informing Lauren.
I’m with you on the reveal that for now, the writers will pretend that Sheila’s last doesn’t exist but as much as I hated that last Sheila story, it still needs to be addressed. My reason for hating that story was because Kimberlin wasn’t Sheila. If they go down that road with Eric not calling Lauren, there better be one hell of a good explanation. I’m hoping that this one year contract Kimberlin signed turns into something alot more because I love the actress and the character even if she’s managed to scare me in the past.
Y-A-Y!!!!!
Not many group members want her back in GC. Personally I detested all of the storylines she was in. I’m a great fan of semi believable villains but she was over the top. Keep her in LA, we don’t want her presence ruining the show in GC.
Her best stories were always on B&B anyway, those Y&R writers made a mess of the character on that show, glad to have her on the show she’s always been great on.
I totally agree with you. Y&R is my favorite soap, but I was ready to drop it when the entire Sheila Carter nonsense was going down in Genoa City. Those were some dark days of ridiculous and unpleasant writing on Y&R.
So agree…stay in LA…But I have to say it would be nice for her to also visit GC and all that horrible writing could be explained if done right.
Sheila was never an over the top villain though, so that is a misrepresentation on your part. Kimberlin always played Sheila as quiet and cool and deadly.
As a viewer who has been watching this soap since it’s inception it is MY opinion Sheila was an over the top villain. Carry on with your own opinion which I and others may consider a misrepresentation.
I doubt what “group members” feel makes any difference to TPTB,GramS.
I do agree with you that, as a villainess, Sheila went above the acceptable norm, but, that’s what was needed to swerve from the beaten path—she stood out —
However, I will find it hard to think that Sheila will not show up in GC. As I said, too many loose ends.
I may be going in the wrong direction, but that Zack guy and Tessa give me the heebie-jeebies—just as Sheila did. I find it too coincidental for them to come on the Y&R stage, almost simultaneously as Sheila on B&B.
Tessa has been on the show for about 3 months now and Zack about a month…hardly simultaneously. Many think Tessa is working undercover to bust the sex trafficking ring Christine talked to Scott about and that Zack is a trafficker.
Well I for one never believe the Shelia that looked like Phyllis was the real thing. Even when Lauren shot that Shelia she said with her dying breath that it wasn’t over– so to me that left the door open for a Shelia return to GC.
I get why Brad doesn’t want to explain what happened in GC– yet if there is a crossover he might have too. If Lauren comes to LA to confront Shelia — it will be insulting to viewers to have Lauren act like she never shot “her” or Shelia’s sister– and what about Shelia’s twins Ryder and Daisy when Lauren in LA is just going to forget all that— No sorry Brad at some point you will have to come up with a way to explain it– and if Shelia goes to GC to be on Y&R then that writing team will have to explain it– it is too big of a piece of the character’s history to sweep under the rug and pretend it never happened.
But I give Brad major kudos on pulling off a real surprise– not too many of those left in soaps because of social media and studio’s announcing things to hype ratings. The fact Brad got CBS to keep quiet and not run commercials advertising the return of Shelia is quite the feather in his cap–
I feel bad for Brad that the Y&R writers made such a mess of the character with the sister Sarah garbage and Phyllis face. I understand that he’s not anxious to address all that nonsense and confident we will see great Sheila stories again like in the early years of B&B.
Can’t the writers come up with a NEW storyline? Dredging up Sheila is a lose lose idea. I’m a long time B&B and Y&R watcher, BUT I am DONE with BOTH shows if these writers don’t move on to new and. BETTER storylines!
As far as I can remember I think Sheila Carter is dead in the Y&R universe…..
PLEASE KEEP HER THERE !!!
Well, in my opinion this show needs a lot of help. Seriously believe the boring foursome of Zende, Nicole, RJ & Coco MUST go! More Sheila airtime might b what this sinking ship needs.
I’ve been critical of B&B before but I’m very pleasantly surprised to read that KB has a one year contract! I thought this was a 3-month arc at best. Smart move by B&B. The show needed something and Sheila Carter may just be it. I’m on Team Sheila!!
Brown is great. Sheila, when written well, is great. I’m glad that she is back.
However, the show really needs to deal with the “fake Sheila/Phyllis” business. Also, Sheila has a daughter named Daisy roaming around somewhere and that should be handled as well. I do NOT want a return of Daisy (the character and actress were not compelling) but I would prefer the writers to address it at least.
I’m still wondering where the heck is Molly Carter, Sheila’s devoted, victimized mother?? It was strange that Sheila’s “sister”, Sarah Smythe, never mentioned the woman. It also would be odd if Sheila made no reference to her as well.
I’m fine with forgetting what happened on Y&R in regards to Sheila and her fam now that Sheila is back on B&B. Let’s just focus on what Sheila did on B&B.
I think Sheila is much worse than Quinn, so Q better watch out. Interested to see what happens!!!!
I am OK “forgetting” Sheila’s connection to Genoa City. The Y&R writers back in that day just made the story so insanely dumb. No one could have been happy with it. I am happy Sheila has returned to Los Angeles tho not surprised. B&B seems to be going retro with its plots and characters. Would like a clean house at B&B as some characters are just too long in the tooth for the roundelays anymore. I would like to see more story and focus on characters day to day, not just six weeks and gone.
I could not be more excited for Kimberlin Brown’s return. It would have been ashamed to go into year 30 of the show and not address/resurrect a character like Sheila. While the Brooke/Stephanie rivalry is what galvanized the show in its early years, Sheila’s appearance on the canvas literally changed the show. I appreciate the vision and guts Bill Bell had in deciding to bring back to the character. As to his decision to ignore the admittedly ludicrous Phyllis/Sheila/Sarah storyline, but it is not something that can be ignore. Y&R and B&B share a universe, and that plot will have to be addressed at some point — particularly now that Scott Grainger, Jr. is back on the Y&R canvas. With Sally Sussman and Kay Alden back at Y&R and Bill Bell getting back to basics on B&B, I’m sure they will find a way to undo the mess made of these legacy characters.
Look Sheila died on young and restless with phyllis’s face , we even had sheila’s sister sarah smythe with lauren ‘s face on that show and sarah confirmed sheila had died and of course sarah died herself . Sheila’s kids didn’t dispute or question their mother died . and she is alive on BOLD ? please don’t treat soap viewers as idiots . won’t watch .
That’s exactly my point, nicholas. We, Y&R fans, need a plausible explanation.
I was thinking that Sheila’s evil-doing will be explained away by saying that her double did all those things while she had the real Sheila imprisoned.
Isn’t that the usual theme?
This summer beginning on July 21, Netflix streams the return of WWE: Unreal for its third season. The behind the scenes docudrama series gives fans a glimpse of life in WWE and inside the writers room, as injuries, last-minute pivots, and career-defining decisions reshape WWE’s biggest event of the year, WrestleMania 42.
WWE Unreal is taking fans deeper than ever inside World Wrestling Entertainment’s creative process, The hit docuseries will once again pull back the curtain on some of the biggest moments, boldest decisions, and unforgettable storytelling with some of the WWE’s greatest legends who’ve shaped the industry and new stars who are emerging as prominent parts of the future.
In the new season of ‘Unreal’ which consists of 5 episodes at 50 minutes each: John Cena says goodbye, a fan favorite returns, and the next generation of Superstars rise to the occasion.
Photo: WWE
The cast and WWE superstars featured include: the aforementioned Cena, plus Cody Rhodes, Liv Morgan, CM Punk, AJ Lee, Trick Williams, Lash Legend, Stephanie Vaquer, Oba Femi, Bron Breakker, Chelsea Green, Matt Cardona, Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.
As previously reported AJ Lee revealed on General Hospital star Maurice Benard’s (Sonny Corinthos) mental health series, State of Mind, that she was part of the cast of WWE: Unreal.
WWE: Unreal production credits include: Directors/Showrunners: Chris Weaver and Erik Powers Executive Producers: Peyton Manning, Jamie Horowitz, Ross Ketover, Keith Cossrow, Ken Rodgers, Jessica Boddy, Lee Fitting, Ben Houser, Marc Pomarico Sr. Producers: Harley Glantz, Brian Decker, Michael Flynn Producers: John Galiani, Dan Gati, Jeremy Lundblad Production Companies: Omaha Productions, NFL Films, Skydance Sports, WWE.
So, what do you think of the loglines for the new season of WWE: Unreal? Who are you most excited to see featured in the behind the scenes drama from the list of WWE superstars and the twists and turns leading into this past April’s WrestleMania 42? Let us know via the comment section below.
If you have ever tuned-in to the soap opera genre over the last 50 years, and witnessed some of the greatest romances, drama, classic and outlandish storylines of all-time, you would have seen Deidre Hall smack dab in the middle of it as longtime Salem heroine, Dr. Marlena Evans.
It was 50 years on this date, June 21, 1976 that Hall first appeared on DAYS on NBC which was its home for 57 years before it moved to its current streaming platform on Peacock in September of 2022.
In Hall’s first episode she was introduced as a psychiatrist treating Mickey Horton (John Clarke) at Bayview Sanitarium after he suffered a complete mental breakdown. Mickey learned that his brother Bill Horton (Edward Mallory) was the biological son of Mike Horton (Wesley Eure) with his wife Laura (Susan Flannery) and that he had been lied to for years and years. From that moment on, the rest is television and soap opera history. Days of Our Lives put Hall front and center.
Photo: NBC
There were so many heartbreaking and shocking story twists involving the beloved Marlena. One of the first was the historic crib death of baby DJ (Don Jr.) in 1980, Marlena’s infant son with Don Craig (Jed Allan). The story had never been told on daytime television and Hall’s performances received accolades from TV critics to fans when Deidre received thousands of letters from grieving mothers who had gone through the same thing in their own lives.
DAYS also brought Deidre’s twin sister, Andrea Hall Lovell to the show as her on-screen sister Samantha, who had a grudge and even locked Marlena up in a sanitarium and took her place! Fast-forward and in 1982, DAYS launched the Salem Strangler story where everyone believed Marlena was his next victim, only it turned out to be Samatha. Jake Kositchek (played by Jack Coleman) was revealed to be the actual serial killer.
Later, Deidre would assume the role of Marlena’s look-alike, Hattie Adams in 2004, once played by her sister, Andrea. Over the years, Hattie has come back to Salem and caused trouble giving Hall a chance to play a different type of character, then the always upstanding Marlena.
Photo: JPI
THE LOVES OF MARLENA
Deidre Hall struck gold with all her leading men: from the late Jed Allan, to Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady, and of course, her enduring love story with the late John Black played by the iconic Drake Hogestyn. In fact, Marlena’s 1986 wedding to John (who was believed to be Roman at the time) remains a favorite of fans to this day.
TOP MARLENA STORYLINES OF ALL-TIME
While the list is long, here are several that were some of the memorable during Deidre’s five decades in Salem!
The Possession (1994- 1995)
Considered one of the most ambiguous, outlandish and unforgettable story arcs in soap opera history, then Days of Our Lives head writer, James Reilly went there! Marlena was possessed by the devil! That included; the demonic eyes, hissing at father John (Black) the priest, morphing into creatures, and the classic levitating in her bed! It became a cultural phenomenon and cemented Deidre Hall’s status as a daytime television legend. Just ask Ryan Gosling!
Photo:JPI
The Affair with John Black (1993)
John and Marlena’s forbidden love could not be denied and they had passionate affair, while she was still married to the real Roman. Problem was her daughter, Sami (Alison Sweeney) caught her mother having sex with John on a desk that changed Sami forever.
The Salem Stalker Mystery (2003-2004)
In a shocker, Marlena was revealed to be a serial killer who bumped off several Salem favorites residents who were all alive on the island of Melaswen (spelled “New Salem” backward). Turns out, she was manipulated and gaslighted by Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) to do the “killings” and had no memory of her actions.
The Pier Scene (1991)
This remains Michael Fairman TV’s all-time favorite Deidre Hall moment, which featured some of the best acting in the storied careers of both Hall and Drake Hogestyn.
In the story, a presumed-dead Marlena returns after four years. One foggy night on the pier, John is alone, and Marlena steps out of the fog to reveal herself, and is reunited with the love of her life. You can watch it any year, any decade, and in any moment, and it will have you reaching for the hankies again and again. (best music score fo a soap scene of all-time too!)
Photo: NBC
Kristen’s Secret Room Reveal (1997)
Marlena was caught in Kristen Blake’s (Eileen Davidson) elaborate web of lies, when she was held hostage in a secret wine cellar/room until John managed to track her down, leading to an iconic on-screen reunion. The classic catfight between Hall and Eileen Davidson was one for the ages.
It should be noted that Maison Blanche, Queen of the Night, Possession, Aremid and Lady in a Cage were all a part of classic DAYS storyline and all featured Hall at the epicenter of it from 1993-1996.
THE RECENT YEARS OF MARLENA
In recent years, DAYS brought back the possession 2.0 storyline under then head writer Ron Carlivati in 2021 where the devil leapt back in Marlena after taking advantage of a frail Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes)
In 2025, viewers watched the end of the love story of John and Marlena, as John succumbed to injuries sustained in an explosion saving a vial of medication needed to bring Bo (Peter Reckell) back to life. Marlena has been a widow on-screen since June of 2025 as Hall as portrayed the good doctor struggling with her grief and to move on with her life since his death.
Photo: JPI
One story that never goes away is Stefano DiMera’s (the late Joe Mascolo) obsession with Marlena, his “Queen of the Night.” Even in death, Stefano is toying with her from the great beyond with the mysterious chess set and the missing “pawn,” that he had gifted John and Marlena in his will. The mystery is currently unfolding on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives.
Tune-in to Days of our Lives on the Monday, June 22 episode as Marlena looks back at her 50 years in Salem.
Share your congratulations to Deidre Hall for this incredible 50-year milestone as Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives in the comment section. Then let us know, what is your all-time favorite storyline or moment in the life of Marlena over the past 5 decades? And, just for kicks, and to celebrate this amazing milestone, here is Marlena levitating below circa Christmas Eve 1994.
General Hospital
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
With the highly-anticipated returns of Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) on this week’s June 24 episode of General Hospital, Steve Burton’s (Jason Morgan) upcoming return on July 13, which also serves as the ABC daytime drama’s 16,000 episode, things are about to fire on all cylinders in the story, as noted today by series star, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos).
On Father’s Day, the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor and mental health activist took to his Instagram and expressed in a video that he has some unbelievable upcoming senes with the aforementioned Burton and Hughes. Add to that Nazneen Contractor (Justine Turner) and Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing), where Benard gave credit where credit is due to the GH writing team, which is led by co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten..
In this video, Benard said, “I just want to get on here and say that I did some work with Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Rick Hearst, Nazneen Contractor, and they’re all just fantastic. Truly fantastic. But, I want to say the writing was just exceptional. It truly was. It was exceptional. So, thankful for that kind of writing. I know writers don’t get the credit a lot, but I just want to say to the General Hospital writing team, keep rolling!”
GENERAL HOSPITAL PREVIEW
So now the question becomes, with a major tease like that, what is about to go down between Sonny, Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric? Will we finally get to the end of the line for Sidwell (Carlo Rota), as previously teased by the GH co-head writers? Will we learn what happened to Jason and Anna, fully? Will Justine and Sonny becomes closer or stop their liaisons? And what of Ric? Will he be true blue to his brother or double-cross him? There is a lot at stake as we move further into the summer and one that looks like it could be one of the more exciting ones in years!
FINOLA HUGHES CONFIRMED AMAZING SCENES WITH MAURICE BENARD
As a punctuation point to his video, Benard also shared this written message in the post: “I just did some wonderful scenes with Steve Burton, Rick Hearst, Finola Hughes and Nazneen Contractor and and unbelievable writing, freaking amazing scenes that you will see in the near future on General Hospital.” In fact, Finola Hughes jumped in the post comment thread and responded, “I loved our scenes so much xxx”
Fans will most likely see all the scenes Benard referred to later in July, since GH tapes approximately six weeks ahead of air.
So, are you excited to see what Maurice is talking about? Are you hyped for what’s to come on GH? Any clue on what you think will go down between the main characters on the soap with the returns of Anna Devane and Jason Morgan to the mix? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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