News
Ingo Rademacher Is The Bold and the Beautiful's New Thorne!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
The bombshell’s continue over just what is happening with the role of Thorne Forrester, and now we have answers!
Over this past weekend, fans of The Bold and the Beautiful learned from Winsor Harmon via a tweet that he will no longer be playing the then on and off again role of Thorne, a role he has played on the show since 1996.
Now comes word via TV Insider that none other than longtime General Hospital favorite, Ingo Rademacher (Ex-Jax) has been tapped as the replacement and that Thorne is coming back to the canvas as a contract role.
Rademacher reveals that he has yet to speak with B&B executive producer and head writer, Brad Bell on the specifics of what will happen when Thorne resurfaces on the canvas on-air in mid-to-late November.
However, Ingo offered up this comment to TV Insider on replacing Winsor Harmon: ‘You can’t try to be someone else, but I certainly hope to play Thorne as well as Winsor did. He’s really one of the nicest and most gracious people I’ve ever met. He tweeted over this past weekend that his role was being recast and I read the comments and a lot of people weren’t happy. There was a lot of support for Winsor, and rightly so. I said to my wife, ‘Wow, I feel kind of bad about this.’ I mean, I know it’s the way things go in daytime, but this is a new experience for me. I’ve never stepped into a role that was previously played by someone else. I hope the fans aren’t too upset about this.”
Rademacher, who hails from Australia, has been living in Hawaii with his wife and children, but had recently relocated back to California, and so the timing is perfect for him to have a full-time gig on a daytime drama and CBS, where he also has appeared on Hawaii-Five-O.
So, what do you think of Ingo as the new Thorne? Will Thorne be romantically linked to potentially Quinn (Rena Sofer) or Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) or someone else when he hits the scene again? Comment below!
Maybe Windsor can play the new Jax at GH???
lol maybe , who knows.
GH is laden with contract players over 45, but WH is more of a Steven Lars actor than Jax.
You kinda nailed that one Steve!!
SORAS in reverse. Both Ridge and now Thorne are getting younger and younger. I just seriously hope they have a dynamic love story for him and a purpose. No Brooke redux! Ingo and KKL….h, no thanks. Not to be rude, but she has not aged well! They would not be a match. And please, no Katie. Enough brother/ brother sister/sister entanglements! It’s gross! These people are not Amish!! LA is a big city with very attractive people! I like Ingo, wish he was on GH. This is a bizarre recast but it will work. It will ONLY work because of Ingo!
I’m cracking up over your Amish comment! HAHAHAHAHAHA! & funny, I thought the same thing about KKL..
KKL is in her mid 50s. Ummm she is stunningly beautiful and her body is amazing. I dont know what TV yall are watching through. Haha.
So sorry that GH did not see fit to give Ingo a contract. We lost a good one; he really makes contract (those intense eyes!) with the audience–GH’s (and its viewers’) loss.
TPTB lost one of their best. 🙁
Nancy, I remember when Ingo first appeared on General Hospital. Although I was a die-hard Sonny and Brenda fan, I loved Jax and I remember the scenes of Jax and Brenda shopping in California (I think) and on the beach. This was when the shows went on location, and storylines were exciting!
Yes, lovely scenes, exciting times for viewers. Remember them on the boat?
I would much rather have Ingo Rademacher (Jax) full time on GH than Steve B.
Ingo is awesome!!
I never understood why ABCGH didn’t bring him on full time, I’d have really loved seeing Ingo everyday 😉
GH has become weak, quite weak in its cast and stories.
(((( GH, clean house!! get rid of the old and bring in the new))) save GH from itself.
I would have loved seeing him everyday also–those twinkling eyes, that smile, that accent!
I don’t understand why the ousted the original actor who played Thorne since B&B’s inception.
I also don’t understand Brad Bell’s propensity to name his characters with phallic implications. Thorne and Ridge?
I am guessing the Thorne that grew to be the most solid and realistic of the bunch will lose that in the translation and we will have more childish teen crushes among the older set that pass for love and romance. We used to joke about Erica Kane on AMC’s marriages. It means nothing in LA as the Forresters and Logans just bed, marry, and separate in the span of weeks. Or mope about each other for years. Stephanie Forrester must be so glad she is a better place.
Iakovos
knock it out of the park will ya
made me smile.
especially about “Thorne , the most solid and REALISTIC… will lose that translation”
absolutely the truth
thank you for the admonishment… because yes.. .i’ll take Erica Kane 10 to 20 plus marriages over any of the Brooke sisters tired dance.
at the very least… because of IR> stud muffin quality… he can act rings around Sonny. he has that magic requisite
alas , Ms. Stephanie Forrester : “…must be so glad she is a better place ”
ok… I can go now… NICE READ
This smells horribly unprofessional on the part of Bradley Bell. It sounds like, to me, he had already cast Ingo in the role of Thorne and simply phoned Winsor Harmon as a last-minute “courtesy,” when it was anything but courteous. I love Ingo and do wish him back full-time to General Hospital, but I feel like this will be a horribly wrong cast recast.
Horrible recast, what a nightmare.
Ingo Rademacher is a great actor, but him as Thorne is what’s the potentially bad decision. I just don’t get why Brad shafted Winsor so carelessly.
THIS HAS TO BE A MISTAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No mistake, but this is terrible news.
Ha! Ha! Forrester boys have accents now. Ha! Ha! Gimme a break. And I thought Ingo was living in Hawaii and not acting.
That’s the first thing that came to my mind. Nothing against Ingo because I like him on GH but this is yet another dumb move in the world of soaps. They seem to be racking up higher every day. I remember when soaps never missed a beat.
yup I agree with you, bad casting. Bill Bell needs to lose his job.
That’s what I thought, Chrystie_Delancey. Ridge went from a nondescript California accent to an Irish brogue. And now Thorne has gone from a southern drawl to an Aussie accent. Remember the days when recasts made some sense?!?!
Ridge is from Germany. (Thorsten Kaye)
And storylines were at least plausible and original.
I don’t understand why this change was necessary. It’s not like Winsor Harmon looks noticeably older than Thorsten Kaye. He was on contract with B&B for several years and is great in the role of Thorne, so this switch makes absolutely no sense.
As for Ingo, he’s a fantastic actor but he belongs on GH as Jax. I’ve missed him ever since he left the show full-time, and the writing for his most recent returns have been less than stellar. It would have been great if GH found some way to incorporate Jax back into the show and bring Ingo back under contract.
However, I’m optimistic about how this will play out. I have a feeling Ingo will fit the role of Thorne well, but I find it funny how now both Forrester boys will have accents, and they aren’t even the same!
Brad Bell has never written anything for the character of Throne that was note worthy- so casting a bigger name will change that? I doubt it– Since the show recently filmed in Australia perhaps this is more a PR move to promote a native from there on the show, since Ivy seems MIA again. This is stunt casting that will last as long as snow in spring time.
What??? I l Dont’ get me wrong, I like Ingo and he is a good actor. But Why did you not ask Winsor Harmon back?? It would have been a great lift for the show! Bad Move B&B.
GMAB!!!!
I like the guy and all, but this just seems like a miscast in the making. They should have just gone in a completely different direction.
Love into!
Ingo lol
APB – SOS – UP IN ARMS – SIDE BAR – STAT
to TPTB –
DO NOT – DO NOT – DO NOT
pair nuThORNE w/ the hag sisters Brooke and Katie
I see the lovely Quinn and Ingo Rademacher’ ( nuTHORNE ) pronto
give it all a rest… the same old same old… and this includes the much talked about younger trio. just spare us all
I’m so sorry that Windsor Harmon is not with .
this is truly a double edged sword.
from the out set.
absolutely it should be Windsor.. for the core family veteran.
this struck a chord any way… what with Stephanie passing… why is it getting easier to let go of their offspring ? think @GH with Tracy leaving.. and how easy it is to fire RPW’ Dillon.
@General Hospital… Shelley and Frank STINK ! they had a wonderful opportunity to better this show… and all we get is the lame limp and oh so tired:
Sonny and Carly – Jason and Sam – Michael and Nelle – Franco and Finn . DOA
I wish Ingo Rademacher the best opportunity. it’s at the expense of the audience.
here’s hoping Bill Bell does HIS JOB and starts writing something… worthwhile
if they jump right in to a dead on arrival tryst with either Brooke or Katie.
forget this show
Couple of things…It seems that everyone starts match making when character changes come to a show. But absolutely agree…no Brooke or Katie. Or even Sheila like James R. Poissant suggested. Please leave the “lovely” Quinn with Eric for a while.
And am so sick of Carly as the bereaved, interfering mother, and best friend of Jason. She actually seems to be taking up more air time than Sonny if that is possible.
This is insane lol, I loved Ingo as Jax on GH. Bill Bell is insane in firing Windsor Harmon. This is BS Period. Thorston Kaye is a terrible Ridge, they should have hired Grant Alexander ex Phillip Guiding Light as the new Ridge Forrester. Thorston is scruffy and needs a makeover. Ingo as the new Thorne is not good at all, I AM angry as hell lol.
“…This is BS Period. ”
Absolutely – 100% agree
The Corinthos’ men are so dull. and that is going to include Steve Burton.
Ingo Rademacher as Jax… has all the requisite exquisite definition of all true man
I can’t imagine as Thorne he is going to get that same magic.. if he’s stuck with Brooke and Katie.
B&B breathe new life in to this show
yeah, i’m feeling rightly pissed @GH
OMG I SAID THE SAME THING! GRANT ALEXANDER WOULDVE BEEN A PERFECT RIDGE! I said it back in 2014! #greatminds
Ohhh, Grant Alexander is a great suggestion for Ridge. I liked TK on All My Children but NOT enjoying him as Ridge. I can’t help but suspect that something is up in Windsor’s personal life that makes him not a good fit for Bold and Beautiful at this time. As to Ingo’s accent, Windsor had an inexplicable southern accent for a Californian
Claudio that is Brad his dad Bill built an empire and he came along for the ride.
I will tune in. Remind us in November. Ingo has a lot of energy, so this should be fun.
Yep, I’ll tune in also. How does one NOT give Ingo a chance? ?
Not thrilled. Sonny just fixed his Jax screwup which would allow for more Jax time in Port Charles. Once again, GH psses up a popular character with a following.
As for B&B, I think it’s so insulting to the actor who’s been playing Throne on and off for years. He’s good-looking as well as a good actor. You need a really thick skin to be in the soap biz.
I’m curious to see how Ingo does but I hope Harmon lands a role on another soap if that’s where his career goals still lie.
uggg..Thorne, not Throne.
And on HBO, Game of Thornes! 🙂
haha…I LOVE “Game of Thornes!” 😉
@James now that was clever?
Can’t help but wonder why the disconnect between Ingo and General Hospital execs over the years establishing a real role again. And some of his comments about the soap industry seemed sorta cryptic to me regarding this. I realize there was the Hawaii commute, but it always seem to come down to “should he stay or should he go?” And if B&B could get a role and commitment from him why not GH? Part of me thinks it was because they wanted to make Sonny the main guy (ugh), and Jax was his only real competition.
Also wonder if he moved back to California because of better acting opportunities and paychecks than he would get living in Hawaii. Lucky/GH and Justin Hartley/Adam Y&R haven’t done to bad lately.
Hey Rose…glad you’re back! Haven’t seen you out here lately (haven’t been on too much myself but noticed your absence. Hope all’s well!)
According to Ingo, he and his wife moved back for her business. She has a clothing line and needed to be in California. As for Ingo, from what I understand he had a recurring role on Hawaii Five-O but doesn’t seem to have been offered a major role in prime time like Jonathan Jackson or Justin Hartley. I wonder if he’d even want it; he seems to love his free lifestyle…surfing, working beside his wife, etc. Who knows…
Still lovin’ B&B though the Ridge/Brooke/Bill is ridiculous! You and I haven’t even been watching that long and it seems this back ‘n’ forth has been going on quite a while. Silly.
Kinda funny; people complain GH has too big a cast yet B&B works with the same characters over and over so they seem to square dance with each other…just keep changing partners all in the family…extended family. LOL. Yet, I STILL like it! Talk about escapism! Disappointed though that”Thomas” left and that Rome Flynn (Zende) are leaving.
Perhaps “Jax” will make the occasional visit to Port Charles; Wally Kurth and Tristan Rogers did so even though they’re on other soaps…
If you read the article it says he moved to CA because his wife wanted to be close to her factory.
The only thing GH kept wanting to do with Jax is continuously bring him back off and on to drool after Carly only to have Sonny be the winner again. Carly chooses Sonny, Brenda chose Sonny, wash, rinse and repeat. Jax was brought back each time it seemed to be the rejection guy. I would have given anything to see Ingo brought back and put into a storyline with someone else, but I knew that would have never happened. I may be in the minority, but I want to give Ingo a chance in this new role at least. I have never watched B&B ever, so I have no sentimental connection to the guy who used to play the role, so we shall see how it works out.
Harmon should play Jax on GH…
Hi Rebecca… Yes I’m here and accounted for. Just drifting through the rest of the”almost summer” which has been mostly pleasant compared to many places in the world. And trying to pretend much of real life isn’t so real, and like a soap can be rewritten quickly with a stoke of writer’s pen. And just having to adjust that GH is never going to be what it used to be.
Agree about Thomas. I finally started to like him when he hooked up with Sally Spectra and showed he was more than a fairly good looking guy they seemed to always catch with his shirt off. Could say the same for Nathan /Ryan Paevey on General Hospital in the Manlanders story. And reading comments I am probably the only one that doesn’t mind this storyline.
Catch you later. :))
But other that that B&B is still pretty silly.
You’re not alone (cue Sabrina) 😉 I think the Ask Man Landers is cute. Don’t mind it at all…It “fits” the light fare of Amy, the once-playful side of Maxie and Spinelli and shows Nathan to have a heart of gold. Perhaps there’ll be more to the story down the line that goes deeper. And I like Amy. Obvioiusly she’s not crucial to story or Port Charles, but she’s adorable. (I could actually see her with Spinelli}.
Ummmmm…as for Nathan and Thomas, their “topless” shots are as subtle as saying Shrin’ers Hospital for Children every three seconds. But they both serve the greater good… 🙂
A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN……….
I agree with you jaybird. They should quit while they are some what ahead. Only time will tell what we’re in for. Take care.
You’re so right about this, Jay! Thanks for the kind words and backup in the Ratings thread BTW. 🙂
I’, throwing out 2 very wild guesses as to what the new Thorne’s storyline will be although i could be way off base. The first thing that came to mind was having Ingo’s Thorne get in with Sheila. I know Kimberlin Brown is on contract for a year but if they gave her story, she could always consider staying longer.
The other thought i had was what if they did this recast of Thorne so that they could pick the Macy story back up. It was never revealed if Sally took her daughter off life support so for all we know, Macy could be very much alive.
I am still having trouble trying to understand why the recast of Thorne but while i was thinking of an answer, I came up with these possibilities.
I’d love nothing more then seeing Macy alive, Bobbie Eakes only. But to recast Thorne is so stupid. He and Ridge get younger and younger but Brooke and Macy keep getting older?
Ingo, get out while you can!
This sounds bad from the jump.
No matter how amazing the storyline turns out, the “Real” Thorne exists and has already addressed the displeasure of not being informed until “last-minute”.
OMG MY JAW IS ON THE FLOOR!!! Ingo is HOT AS HELL! Let the games begin!!!! They wouldnt hire Ingo is they didnt have HUGE plans for Thorne! Ingo and Thorsten will have excellent sibling chemistry! Noowwwww who will they pair with Thorne? Brooke? Katie? Could Donna be next to return???
As he did with Thorsten Kaye, Bell shows he is not afraid to recast legacy characters with superior experienced daytime actors. Moss and Harmon are fine, but TK and IR have something extra.
Moss left so Ridge had to be recast. Not the same story with Thorne and Winsor.
This is terrible news! Bad move Brad Bell!
Dool is lucky to have Tyler and now BB is lucky to have Ingo I’m disappointed at my GH but I’m learning to roll with the punches who knows what will happen next .
Is he talented enough to disguise his Australian accent? If you watch Longmire you know that actor is Australian and you would never know it . Now I like Ingo but the man never screen tested with anyone on the show all done with managers etc. what is going on are we wanting every of the last four soaps gone? So while Thorne has lived in Paris he turned into a Australian??
Thanks K/kay!
And your last question is truly clever!
I hope that they do not split up Quinn and Eric. We need happy couples and stop with the constant breakups. Very surprised Brooke gave Bill his ring.
I liked Winsor as Thorne and would like to see Thorne back on the show. I hope there is story for Thorne. Good story. I don’t know how Ingo will do. I am willing to give him a chance as what’s the alternative?
B n B s payroll must be pretty $$$, maybe they ll lighten the wallet and let go of Dollar Bill (speaking of money) so he can return to Y n R where he can finally return as Brad!
Ashley needs her soulmate back and they can undo the horrible decision MAB made years ago to kill off the Carltons. Bonus if Colleen came back too.
Good luck Ingo. Hate to see an actor lose his job but you will be great! Now about GH, Frank just continues to mold his own version of GH. “One Live to Live in a Hospital!” I hate it! Jax could be used on GH. He has Carly, his daughter is stepping into her first romance and there is always a CHANCE he could get revenge on the Sonnynator! What a blunder letting Ingo go to CBS. BUT, thats why they lead the pack, they still believe and support daytime!
Number one, B&B is not GH, thank goodness. Cannot stand the Sonny show.
Two, GH didn’t want IR back as Jax or he would probably be there.
Three, while I love Winsor Harmon as Thorne, Brad Bell has something else in mind. He de-aged Ridge a bit and now it seems he is doing the same to Thorne.
I think IR will add some good energy on B&B if Thorne is given a story and is not just used to prop other characters. I would love to see a story where he blames Steffy for killing his only daughter. A good romance for Thorne would be nice too. IR is a good actor and with all the mess going on now on B&B, this is something I can look forward to watching.
GH has been in continuous writing decline since they fired Carvilati. Writing sucks, they keep losing the good actors, misuse the good ones they have left and prop up the boring. GH’s losses are other soaps gain. Tyler to Days, Ingo to B&B. Sorry about Windsor’s raw deal and he’s barely been on in years…but Bell was going to do it no matter what. He has the high ratings in the U.S. and internationally so he doesn’t care.
i adore winsor & ingo i really do – i was hoping against hope that gh would put ingo back on contract and i wanted to see more of winsor on b&b but that did not happen – i really hate to see anybody lose their job……………………………..
i think ingo will fit in well with the other actors and he will definitely shine…………..
i have heard many say things about his Australian accent – as for me it is the acting that is most important …………….
Well now Brooke is free. They will probably do some triangle so she can be fought over by Ridge and Thorne.
NO surprise that Steffi is going to end up with Bill now. I saw that one a MIIIIIIIIIIIILE away. She was the only one, besides Wyatt, supporting arsonist Bill. They will be in bed before long and Liam will go to Sally.
Ugh. Can’t ANYONE be happy????
THEY HAVE WRITTEN THIS STEFFY CHARACTER INTO A SLUT……SON….SON..NOW FATHER….WOW!!! THIS SHOW IS THE WORST OF ALL FOR CHANGING PARTNERS EVERY WEEK….
I’d like to say this about that. First, Thorne is a legacy character and he needs to have story on screen. I am not opposed to a recast – its a soap staple. You can’t be a soap fan and not accept it. Thorne was played by at least two other actors before Winsor came on. He was great and I’ll miss him but Ingo is major soap talent. Hopefully with the buzz about Ingo Thorne will have real story to play. I hope the same thing happens with the Zende recast. If they are going through the trouble of recasting they might as well give them a good story. Now if only B&B can tell more than one story at time …..
As far as I’m concerned, Bradley Bell is a MORON for doing this…PERIOD!!!!!
Tnorne can get with ivy. Their accents match. As for Sally, i think she is Bill’s secret daughter. She dyes her hair. Shes a secret Spencer not a Spectra.The
Well, B&B will down have a Scotsman (I think that is what Ridge is) and a Aussie for Thorne…Cool. Ingo is doing nothing on GH so it is good he is working. I hope this Thorne has a backbone.
I totally agree with you jaybird. I will watch out of curiosity, but I know I won’t like what I see. My question is, why after being hidden in the basement at Forrester all these years, and then in the Paris office, is there a sudden need for Thorne. The last I remember, at the time of his daughter’s death he was happily involved with Taylor. If that is still the case, I hope they don’t intend to replace her as well. In my opinion Hunter Tylo is irreplaceable. I guess we’ll have to wait and see
Great to hear! Love Ingo !! Maybe now they will write more than father and son triangles !!! First, it was Ridge / Thomas / Carolyn, then, Ridge / Eric / Quinn. Now, it looks like a Bill / Liam / Steffy. This is getting old and VERY boring !!!!!!!!!!!! Need new writers with ORIGINAL / NEW storylines !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree 100% with everything that you said. From Grant Alexander to play as ridge and having Windsor Harmon as Thorne. Wow, Grant Alexander…. That would be great casting.
News
Christel Khalil Reveals She Almost Quit Acting After ‘That’s So Raven’ Audition, But Then Came ‘The Young and the Restless’
The Young and the Restless fan favorite, Christel Khalil (Lily Winters) is the special guest on this week’s edition of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart which dropped today on Tuesday, June 23rd.
During the interview with Rebecca and Greg, Khalil who had played Lily Winters on-screen since August of 2002, nearly 24 years with the CBS soap, shared how early on her teenage acting career, she was ready to call it quits in show business, after a heartbreaking audition for the lead of a new Disney Channel sitcom, which later turned out to be the hit seres, That’s So Raven, starring Raven-Symoné which ran for four seasons from 2003-2007.
Christel recalled what happened. “I was 14 and I had always auditioned for all these Disney projects. So I auditioned for That’s So Raven, it was between me and Raven-Symoné and it was called at the time Absolutely Psychic,” explained Khalil. “The character was this girl who had psychic ability, but then when Raven got the role, they named the title of the show after her.”
Photo: CBS
HOW A BROTHERLY TALK CHANGED THE COURSE OF CHRISTEL’S CAREER
Reliving the disappointment to Greg and Rebecca, Christel explained, “I lost that part and I was just so devastated, because for the network call there were 20 people in the room watching me, and I just have always had such performance anxiety. I just completely bombed the audition and it was terrible. So, I was just devastated. I was actually going to quit acting and then I got the final call for The Young and The Restless and I wasn’t going to go.”
It was Khalil’s brother, who actually got her to reconsider, and if he hadn’t, we would not have our Lily Winters in Genoa City! Christel recounted, “I was like, ‘You know what? I’m done. I don’t want to do this anymore. I’m just going to hang out with my friends.’ I was just devastated. My brother, who is seven years older than me, and he had quit acting at the same age that I was at that time. He said to me, ‘I promise you, I actually really regret quitting. Just go on this audition and if you don’t get it, you can quit.'”
Christel’s screen-test for the role of Lily was actually with the late, great, Kristoff St. John who would play her father Neil (Later it was revealed to Lily, that Neil’s brother, Malcolm Winters was her bio-dad).
Photo: CBS
ACTING WAS EASY WITH THE LATE KRISTOFF ST. JOHN
“So, I went (to test for Lily) and I remember the screen-test was with Kristoff St. John. It was just so easy to act with him because he’s just so there. I remember just being on set, and that was my first time there for a screen-test where you were actually on set. I had never experienced that before. It was my first time being with an actor and having makeup done, which just helps you really be able to do your best work.”
Recalling the screen-test with the St. John, Khalil, “It was where I had to be emotional ( in the scene) and I always had issues being emotional at auditions. But I was there with him, it just came, and it happened. It was natural and I felt so good and it was amazing. It stands out in my mind a lot.”
You can check out the full Soapy conversation with Christel Khalil where she also discusses juggling motherhood, marital life, and the demands of soap operas.
Fan can listen to weekly episodes of Soapy on Audacy or wherever podcasts are available, and can watch full video episodes weekly on the CBS =Brand YouTube Channel. Whether a lifelong fan or discovering the genre for the first time, SOAPY offers a fresh, fun behind-the-scenes look at the stories – and storytellers – that define daytime drama.
Now let us know, over the years what had been your favorite Lily Winters story on Y&R as played by Christel Khalil? What did you think of of Christell’s recollection where she was up for the lead of “That’s So Raven” as a teenager, before it was even titled that? Let us know via the comment section.
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.
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