News
BREAKING NEWS: Genie Francis joins The Young and the Restless!

Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Holy cow! We did not see this one coming, but soapers, Y&R has just announced exclusively at EW.com that soap legend and Daytime Emmy winner, Genie Francis (Ex-Laura, GH) is coming on to the number one soap! Genie is set to play the mother of Cane Ashby and joining the soap as a series regular in May! Holy May Sweeps!
According to the post, “Francis will play the mother of Ethan Cane Ashby (Daniel Goddard), who was declared dead outside his dad’s wedding last month and is now appearing as a ghost on the show. His sudden “passing” lathered up the fans, so the addition of Francis should reignite speculation that Cane will remain an integral part of Genoa City. (His ghost is expected to continue appearing throughout the spring). Francis will begin taping at the end of the month.”
And wait for it! Doesn’t this mean that Francis would reunite with her former Port Chuck co-star Tristan Rogers (Colin, and former, Robert Scorpio of GH) as the parents of Cane?
So, what do you think? Excited by the news? The future of Francis? Goddard? Rogers? Let us know.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Shares He Was ‘Happy to Hear’ of The Triangle Storyline Developing Between Dante/Elizabeth/Ric

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?”

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

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

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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WOW! This is awesome but I want DG back as Cane too.
Yeah, I want Cane back, too, but I am wondering if he’s really dead! We all know that it is possible that people return from the dead and he may be faking it with the help of the FBI to keep the Aussie Mob off his family’s back. I am thrilled to no end to see Genie Francis returning to TV. General Hospital writers and “rulers” must be nuts to have let such a great and beloved talent escape them but Maria Bell and the Powers That Be @ Y&R have the good sense to recognize the wonderful talent and beauty of a brilliant actress. I cannot wait to see Genie!
Love GF, and thrilled she is coming to Y&R, but if Cane is dead, what is the point of him having parents…not intrested in a look a like Cane or a twin Cane, I want Cane Ashby back with his kids Mattie and Charlie and his wife Lily..If he doesn’t come back as Cane Ashby, they can keep it…
I’m happy for Genie and Y&R. GH’l’s loss is Y&R’s gain. Genie will rock Y&R. Guza looses yet again.
I agree completely.
Damn GH! Just when Lucky needs his Mother! Good for Y n R though. Francis n Rogers together again
As a Spencer family fan, I’m disappointed that Genie will not be returning to GH in the near future. However, I admire her determination to NOT play a victim. Many of us 21st century women watching these shows want to see more strong, independent women on daytime dramas – women who, like us, live, love, and manage marriages and children and careers. Bets of luck to Genie – the Spencers will miss you.
I am not happy at all about this news. Y&R already has too many characters, and there is no room for more newbies. I am sick of the fan favorites who have been on the show for yrs are continually being pushed to the back for stunt casting. I want to see my favorites not the likes of Genie Frances, Maura West, or Tristian Rogers. Time for Y&R to quit hiring the castaways from other soaps.
I’ll bet she’s going to end up being Katherine’s daughter- they would look EXACTLY like mother and daughter.
Excited? I am beyond that!! The Young and the Restless just got a new fan. I’ve been barely hanging on with GH. Now, I think I am done!! Go Genie!
What is GH’s loss is Y&R’s gain! I am so glad a soap hired this beloved vet. Y&R seems to have been stale for quite a while. This is a change for the better.
I can’t believe gh had Luke run over baby Jake. Laura is already catatonic I’m sure if she came back they would finish her off. She’s better off trying a completely new soap. LoL
I cant wait genie francis is my Favorite i liked her on G.H.cant wait to see her on the Y &R.
Wow! What a shocker. I’m not sure I’m happy about this. I know Y&R needs some new blood, but what is the purpose? Is she going to shake Jill’s world? At this moment when Luke and Lucky need her on GH, I think I would rather she was there and not Brenda. I don’t know why GH brought her back. She is so boring and taking down Sonny with her. Well, it will be intersting to see what the story will be for Genie. It better be really good. Otherwise, why bother.
I love this. It’s great news!
omg!!!! this awesome awesome news – i am so thrilled!!
i know genie will be knocking every scene out of the park!!
Y&R is the show to watch now. So excited that Genie is back and even more excited that she does not have to go back to the horror show that is General Hospital. Take that Frons and Guza! Go Genie and kudos to Y&R for this fantastic move. Now Maria Arena Bell it is on you to write for this incredibly talented actress and daytime icon.
I’ll watch – cannot wait to see GF in a new role!
Great news!!! Big coup for Y&R to have both Tristan Rogers and Genie Francis on the show. GH’s loss is Y&R’s gain. So many ABC soap stars are being picked up by Y&R, while ABC is hiring newbies that are only driving down their ratings…..case in point, AMC. I am looking forward to TR and GF together again on my TV screen!!!!
Well, Guza dropped the ball AGAIN. Genie Francis is an icon with a huge fanbase. I am glad Y&R nabbed her up. Talk about a great May Sweeps. Guza is not that smart. They ignored Genie and the Laura character for years by having her in France. Guza’s writing is all about 4 characters and the long time Vets who saved GH from cancellation years ago have been killed off, written off and Guza just refused to let Genie return to the show even though Genie Francis had a huge fanbase begging for her return. I am thrilled that Y&R recognizes the huge following of Genie and the other vets now on canvas at Young and They Restless–The Number One Soap..Go Genie!!
Ok, I am not a big Laura fan, but I am a Cane fan, I just love Cane Asby and Lily Winters..And if that mean they are getting back together, I am all for it…
Cane and Lily and Jason Morgan and sam Mcall are my #1 Couple, Cane and Lily are my second
The only thing I like about Y&R Is Cane and Lily
The only thing I like about GH is Jasam, but if GV comes back as a new character I would like to see Kelly and Gregf working together….
But Congrats To Ms.Francis
OK! Let’s take the ball and run with it ! Y&R treat her with respect and I love the pairing with Tristan Rogers! You Go Genie!!!!!
If Frons & Guza keeps slapping GF in the face and treating her like nothing while bending over backwards for Geary – I don’t blame her for going to another soap. She hinted when she was on Oprah that she was willing to come back to daytime but not as a victim. Apparently ABC did not take the bait, so why not try another show. Daytime may not be around 5 years from now so go Genie!
Oh yay! I’m an ABC girl, but I might check Y&R out for Genie Francis. 😀
I’m thrilled about this news for Y&R, but sad for GH. Now the great Luke & Laura story will never end as it should. However, seeing Genie Francis with Tristan Rogers will make me tune in to Y&R every day! And I love Cane! I refuse to believe that he is really dead. Like Lily, I’m looking for him in every scene.
Big Hurray For Genie. Go Girl! 😉 😉
I am with you. I love her as Laura. I love Luke and Laura together. I want her to come back and help Luke and their family though this crisis. But, it seems that ABC/GH doesn’t think enough of her to bring her back to help her family. They don’t respect Genie. If they can’t respect her enough to treat her the way she deserves then it is definitely their loss. Guza losses another outsanding actress to Y&R/CBS.
Just wounderful. Can´t wait till Genie gets on the show. Maybe since she may have faked her death, she swooped in and faked Cane´s too to finally get rid of the father.
Very glad to see Genie back on the screen -she’s been away too long.
Kudos Y and R.
I like Genie but honestly I don’t see the point of this unless it’s just to reveal Cane is not actually dead. Who is she going to interact with, I’d like to see more of my regulars on screen who don’t get enough airtime then newbies… i’m waiting for Cane’s dad to go and now his mom is showing up too. The only way I will enjoy this is if it is to reveal Cane is not dead. Plus she never stays around too long, she’ll wait until her story gets good and then up and leave the way she always does.
General hospital should be canceled and bryan frons should be fired I hope CBS will pick up a few more great actors from abc soaps Genie Francis will be great on Y&R !!
It will be difficult to watch Genie Francis portray a rather dark and sinister character, when she has always portrayed pure sweetness and light on General Hospital. I think that her fans will be sad to see her as such a cold and heartless character. We will be longing for the sweet and gentle Laura of long ago. However Miss Francis appears to be comfotable in this new and rather grim portrayal of a rather emtionless and determind womam. Perhaps her somber character will fall inlove with Jack or Victor, and maybe then she will become softer, and more loving, and more like Laura Spencer.However Miss Francis is great
I am so excited to see Francis back on Soaps, especially Y&R. She’s always been my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE female soap star, Eric Braeden is my favorite male star, and I believe she will be a great asset to the program. As for others on the show, I really do not like the current Heather. She is no where near as pretty as Paul’s first “daughter” who was a blond just as his daughter would be since he and his wife are blond and she cannot act. I do wish Chloe could find a better love interest rather than Kevin. They don’t have chemistry… Maybe she could hook up with one of the cops on the show. Also, I like Ted Shackleford best as Gloria’s punching bag. Love Nick with Sharon and for my part, it will always be Victor and Nickie forever.
Oh it’s sooo good to have Genie Francis on TV again and acting with GH Tristan Rogers again is a gorgeous comination that really sticks together.
There is a big fangroup of GH from the earlier times (79-81) that loved the incredible magic of the Luke & Laura (Lovers on the Run) Scenes. Genie and also Tristan guarantee the same wonderful depth and quality to bring now in the story of Y&R. I just love em and wish all the best to Genie for her start!!
@tonia and all those other GF-Fans above there: I agree absolutly with you:
Guza did destroy a legend on GH!! I’m German and unfortunately in Germany GH was only aired between 1980-1982. Thankfully a true GH/L&L Fan (Sue….) put great playlist on youtube for anybody to watch the old stuff and so since February 2011 I startet from the very begin in 1977 watching Genie Francis alias Laura Webber-Baldwin and became one of her biggest fan. I like her humanity and sweet style so much but I also have a lot of understanding for Genie Francis wish to act in different style (stronger and opaquer) than in her former victim-like-role. Well, I hope my German-English didn’t bugged you too much. Wish Genie and all of the people on the set and specially Maria Bell all the best and millions of additionally viewers!!! XXX TinaLaura