News
Don Johnson Dishes His Return To Television & Leading Role In Soapy BLOOD & OIL!
Courtesy/ABC
From his previous popular TV roles and star turns as a South Florida detective Sonny Crockett in Miami Vice and a San Francisco investigator in Nash Bridges, Don Johnson is doing an about face in his return to primetime in his juicy new role in ABC’s new soap opera, Blood & Oil! Johnson also serves as one of the executive producers of the show.
In the series which premieres this Sunday night September 27th at 9PMET, Johnson plays Hap Briggs, the oil baron at the center of the fictional Bakken Shale, a boomtown of Rock Springs, North Dakot. And as you would expect from that premise, Hap is not the nicest guy on the planet. The series also stars: Chace Crawford as Billy Lefever, Rebecca Rittenhouse as Cody Lefever, Scott Michael Foster as Wick Briggs, and former Revenge star Amber Valletta as Carla Briggs.
The comparisons to the iconic primetime soap opera Dallas are already being bantered about. But can Blood & Oil separate itself from that iconic soap classic? Will it have traction with the viewing audience?
On-Air On-Soaps caught up with Johnson at the recent ABC TCA Summer Press Tour, as he shared a myriad of thoughts including: what to expect when the series begins its run, why he decided to take on the role of Hap Briggs, what does he think about the series be labeled a “soap opera” and more. Here’s what Don had to say:
Courtesy.ABC
If he considers Blood & Oil a soap opera: It’s a cut above that. I certainly think in people’s minds it’s going to fall into that category. But this is more like a sweeping epic novel that has some soapy moments. You know I loved the show, Bloodlines. And it was not considered a soap, but was sort of soapy, and sort of novelistic in its approach. That is what my aspiration is for Blood & Oil.
If this is the juiciest role of his career: You know, I have had a lot of juicy roles. But this is so much fun, because I’m not playing the good guy, and playing the good guy can get pretty boring, because you’re range is not that much. However, when you get to play a character like this – you get to go all over the place. And a lot of times in the middle of a scene that is written kind of innocuously or sort of neutral, I will say, “Well, what if he is sinister here … maybe he has a sense of humor … or what if we know don’t know what he is doing?”
Courtesy/ABC
How much villainy should we expect Hap Griggs to get into: He’s a billionaire! So, he’s probably capable of doing whatever it takes to remain the king! When you get the biggest oil boom in the world, and the largest oil find in the world, and I get to play the big cheese … watch out! You know, I get to do a big romp with the seven deadly sins!
Who did Don emulate to come up with this rich guy characters: I have patterned this character after an amalgamation of a few billionaires I know. I can’t tell you who they are! I gotta protect the guilty! (Laughs)
When fans turn into Blood & Oil, what can they expect to see: The show is about a family, greed and the biggest oil discovery of mankind, and about this character who is larger than life named Hap Griggs, who I get to play. He is a man that is driven by a sense of destiny to make America energy independent, and that it’s his calling to do it! Nothing is going to stand in his way to see that done. And if that ain’t enough to get you in there and interested in watching, I don’t know what is! (Laughs)
What is most exciting for Don returning to a network television series: You now what is exciting to me at this time? It’s the opportunity to be in touch with my fans in a more personal and direct way. That was never available to me before, and with social media and with the way that we are encouraged to involve and engage with our fans, that is very exciting for me. I’m embracing that.
Courtesy/ABC
On having a career that has spanned several decades: Television is king right now. I enjoy the opportunity to be in this world. My goodness! How lucky am I to be relevant after all these years! One time I was playing golf with Kevin Costner in Aspen. I said to him, “Wow, Kevin! Look at that. Look at how beautiful this is and where we are!” Kevin said to me: “Yeah, except for a right decision here and there, it could very well have been ‘Kevin and Don’s pool service.’”
Shooting on location, and the backdrop of the show: We are shooting in Park City Utah, and not North Dakota. We wanted to have the scope and the size of the show reflect in the photography, and illustrate the enormity of what is going on up here. And not unlike, Miami Vice where we created sort of a fantasy world, we are doing something here where you don’t have to think fantasy world, and where the power of being energy independent is the driving force in this story.
Courtesy/ABC
His thought’s on his Blood & Oil leading lady, Amber Valletta: Amber Valletta doesn’t really have to say anything. All you have to do is look at her. She happens to be a fine actress and she can deliver. When she is on the screen, they don’t even know I’m there!
So, will you be checking out Don Johnson in his new role on Blood & Oil on Sunday night? Do you think it can become the next big primetime soap?
Are you happy to see Don back in a starring role in a nighttime series? Share your thoughts in the comment below!
Don Johnson is tried and true, he will deliver..
thing is; in the trailers his southern accent is very heavy, even in TX is not that heavy lol
Blood & oil looks really good, I’m in ..
Actually, I am. I’ve missed seeing him in anything. Wouldn’t it be great if Kevin Costner was a guest star?
Don Johnson has been doing the talk show circuit to promote B&O. He looks fantastic! I was a huge fan of “Nash Bridges” and this looks to be just as good but totally different! He is very excited for people to see this and cannot say enough about how talented the cast is. I hope Michael Fairman includes updates and stories on this primetime soap like he has for “Nashville.”
Oh yeah, remember The Long Hot Summer…Jesus! Jason Robarts , Ava Gardner
Sybil Shepard. Don Johnson playing Paul Newman’s character good lord.
I’m so… looking forward to Don Johnson turn’
he can put that Miami Vice on the shelf and waste that
he has a brooding sensuality… and machismo
his command parlay
when asked if he considers blood & oil a soap opera his response was “it’s a cut above that” – hmm what does that remark mean – i took it as throwing shade against our beloved soaps & i am appalled he would even fix his lips to even say something like that………
this is just my opinion………………..
HE REALLY SAID…ITS A CUT ABOVE THAT??????? WOW..NO EGO PROBLEM THERE…..UNDERSTAND ITS THE REMAKE OF DALLAS…..WE WILL SEE…
yes judy – it is in the article ……………………
OH YES…I READ IT TOO IN THE ARTICLE,BUT I MEANT HE REALLY SAID THAT!!!!! watched for aqbout 45 minutes last nite…..Sure wasnt a cut above soap operas in my book….
i just finished watching it ( i record every thing ) and it definitely is a nighttime soap but that is just my opinion…………….
It’s far above Dallas and him saying it was a cut above has nothing to do with HIS ego, he didn’t say HE was a cut above, he said the show was, that means the writing.
I saw an interview with him and he said basically the same thing but he wasnt dissing daytime. He only meant that B&O was not like Dallas which was more like a daytime soap. Don Johnson is a good guy, his ego as he admitted was left behind in Miami back in the 80’s!
I recorded it. I’ll see if it’s any good. Loved him on MV!
I loved this show, I think it will far surpass Dallas, Dynasty and any other nighttime soap. It’s a soap to me.
Don Johnson looks amazing!
The characters all seem to have the right chemistry, I was thrilled to see Barry Corbin. He’s a great actor.
It looks like the current run of Lucas Adams (Noah) and Tamara Braun (Sienna) on The Young and the Restless is coming to an end, after the Monday, August 3 edition of the CBS daytime drama revealed that Noah and Sienna are leaving Genoa City and heading back to Los Angeles.
In the storyline, Noah informed his mother, Sharon (Sharon Case) and half-sister Mariah (Camryn Grimes) that he and Sienna made the decision to move back to the West Coast to put distance between themselves and Matt Clark (Roger Howarth). Although Noah did not say it was a permanent move, he did assure his mom that once Matt is hopefully gone from Genoa City they could return.
However, as previewed already on the video teaser for this week’s episodes of Y&R (see below), it appears Noah left Genoa City’s The Shadow Room to be run by a returning Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian). So with that, coupled with today’s episode, it would appear the move could wind up being more permanent.
Photo: JPI
COMINGS AND GOINGS
Adams made his Y&R debut on November 4, 2025 as the successor to Rory Gibson who last played Noah on-screen in April of 2023. Earlier in 2025, Gibson took over the role of Michael Corinthos on Genera Hospital replacing Chad Duell, who stepped away from the part after 15 years.
Braun who played Adam’s mother on Days of Our Lives when she was Ava Vitali and he was Tripp Dalton, first appeared on Y&R back on October 14, 2025, where we soon learned she had become Noah’s lover as the new character, Sienna Bacall. It should be noted, Adams was on contract with the number #1 soap, while Braun has been on recurring status.
With Josh Griffith now exited as head writer of The Young and the Restless, and the newly announced co-head writing team of Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor having taken his place and starting their new tenure this week, it will be interesting to see how the duo resets the show, and if a Noah and Sienna return is in the cards for the future or not.
So, what do you think about the seeming departures of Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun from The Young and the Restless? Weigh-in via the comment section. But first, check out our recent live chat with Tamara and Lucas on the Michael Fairman Channel.
Rosie O’Donnell revealed that she plans to head back to a seat at the table of ABC’s morning talk show The View.
The announcement came during Monday’s episode of The Tangle Podcast where she shared she will participate in “in whatever way they want” her or “just as a guest” for its upcoming 30th season.
The View’s season 30 will kick-off this fall in September. O’Donnell explained, “They’re bringing back all the hosts, I think. And, you know, I’m pretty proud of that show, what it’s become and how it really speaks to the people and to politics.”
Photo: ABC
ROSIE ON HER PREVIOUS GO-ROUNDS ON THE VIEW
As fans of The View know, O’Donnell famously had two different one-year stints on the talk show in 2007 and again in 2014- 2015. She often feuded with then co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck.
However, during her discussion with host, Kyle Ridley on The Tangle Podcast, O’Donnell also noted she often had tense moments with longtime moderator and anchor, Whoopi Goldberg.
O’Donnell also expressed, “Many, many people got the short end of the stick there. It was, you know, it was a factory where people were being churned in and out and their tenuous security, nobody got to be calm. It also was a show at the time that was run by a man. A show created by a woman, for women, about women, and the man was deciding what we should talk about. And that didn’t sit right with me, you know.”
Back in 2023, Brooke Shields had asked Rosie on her podcast, Now What? with Brooke Shields, about how she felt on her two stints at The View and all the controversy that surrounded it. Rosie at that time, stated, “I know this, it’s not the best use of my talent to get in a show where I have to argue and defend basic principles of humanity and kindness. It was not something I’d ever do again.”
You can check out the clip with Rosie and Kyle Ridley discussing her return to The View in some form for its upcoming 30th season below.
Then weigh-in: Would you be excited to see Rosie, even for a one-day or a week guest stint on the upcoming celebratory season of The View, or not so much? Let us know via the comment section.
View this post on Instagram
General Hospital Fan Club Weekend brought out many of your favorites to the four day event; with the main cast gathering on Saturday, August 1. Fans near and far attended the weekend held this year at the Burbank Marriott Hotel. Whether it be the main cast event or the smaller more intimate events featuring two or three cast members a great time was had by all.
Some of the cast participating in the main cast event included: Cyrus Hobbi (Yuri), Gary James Fuller (James), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Viron Weaver (Wiley), Paige Herschell (Jacinda), Chris McKenna (Brennan), Josh Kelly (Cody), Kayden Brenna Tokarsi (Scout), Cassandra James (Terry), Laura Wright (Carly), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), Rick Hearst (Ric), Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco), and Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle).
In addition to, Van Hansis (Lucas), Cameron Mathison (Drew), Ryan Paevey (ex-Cassius), Easton Rocket Sweda (Leo), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Kristen Vaganos (Molly), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Kate Mansi (ex-Kristina), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Kristina Wagner (Felicia) and more.
Take a look at some of the snaps from the main event arrivals below:
Photo: HutchinsPhoroi
GH’s Rick Hearst with on-screen daughter, Kristen Vaganos, plus Nancy Lee Grahn, and Kate Mansi.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Maurice Benard on-hand to meet the fans.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto.com
Jack Brennan in the house … Chris McKenna.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Adrian Anchondo, Van Hansis and Anchondo’s boyfriend, Days of Our Lives, Colton Little.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Josh Kelly and his gal, the former Nelle Benson of Port Charles, Chloe Lanier.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Who is James’ father? Not Cassius or Spinelli, actually. Actors Gary James Fuller, Ryan Paevey and Bradford Anderson!
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
One of General Hospital’s newest cast members, Kayden Brenna Tokarski attends her first GHFCW event.
Check out some more arrival images featuring: Laura Wright (Carly), Cassandra James (Terry), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) and more in the gallery below.
Michael Fairman TV will be adding more images to this post in the day ahead.
So, were you glad to see so many of your GH favorites attending this year’s General Hospital Fan Club Weekend? Let us know via the comment section.
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
‘General Hospital’ Fan Club Weekend 2026 (Photos)
GH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Katie is Suspicious of Dylan and Warns Will, Steffy Takes Off to Monaco
-
General Hospital5 days agoGH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
-
General Hospital3 days agoGENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint
-
News5 days ago‘The Young and the Restless’ Names New Co-Head Writers: Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor
-
News6 days agoY&R’s Billy Flynn and Gina Comparetto Reveal Birth of Their Third Child and It’s a Girl!
-
News5 days agoErika Slezak to Celebrate 80th Birthday; How Fans Can Share a Special Memory and Message to the Soap Opera Icon
