All My Children
LGBT beat Soaps: DAYS Adds a Splash of Gay as AMC Gals Bid Adieu!
In the latest issue of Frontiers IN LA Magazine spotlighting Fall Entertainment out today, there is a brand new piece from On-Air On-Soaps Michael Fairman in the publication and on its website of the current LGBT beat on daytime soaps.
The feature titled: Days Add a Dash of Gay as AMC Gals Bid Adieu takes a look at Days of our Lives approach to their storytelling and bringing on the first gay character in the shows history in Sonny Kiriakis, played by Freddie Smith. With interviews with Smith, DAYS co-executive producer, Greg Meng, and Sonny’s on-screen mom, Daytime Emmy winner, Judi Evans, the NBC soaps tells how they making Sonny fit into the canvas, and what could be a big surprise come fall!
Plus, All My Children’s, Christina Bennett Lind and Sarah Glendening are interviewed, as it is almost time for Bianca and Marissa swansong as the show is soon to go off network television come September 23rd. The actresses discuss how they would like to see their story wrap-up on ABC, and the importance of their roles. Here are a few excerpts below!
Greg Meng on the careful execution of telling Sonny’s story and integrating a gay character into the Salem canvas for the first time: “This has been discussed for a long time with a lot of thought. And yes, there were concerns, but it’s like, ‘Wow. Who are we? What are we thinking? It is time!’ We didn’t want to do some gay love story, or just go off on some extreme ripped-from-the-headlines political story, just to be telling a ‘gay story.’ We are looking at a long-term, longtime beloved characters type of situation for Sonny. It is about a character who is now on the show, and who by the way, is gay!”
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Greg Meng on if the show received much pushback for trying to bring in a gay character or story: “There have been rumors that certain affiliates might pull out if we pursue this. We feel strongly about including a gay character or more on our show. It is part of life. We have the full support of the storyline all the way to the top at NBC, and all the way to the top at Sony. They know the challenges and obstacles we have, but they are extremely supportive, and in fact the comment has been, ‘Well, it’s about time.’
Freddie Smith on waiting to find out who Sonny’s love interest will eventually be! “I am excited to see who my love interest is going to be because that has been all the hype for the last four months. We’ve got Chad, Will and “T” as possibilities, unless I am going to go with an older man! [Laughs] You never know. If they picked an older character that would really mix it up. I legitimately don’t know who it’s going to be. I did for a minute, now it’s gone! They have to just go for it. Having Sonny have a love interest and another story going on for him, and mixing that together, makes him a three-dimensional character. Everyone on the show has a boy or a girl, and I am like the fifth wheel!” (Laughs)
Make sure to visit frontiersla.com to read the entire feature by clicking here!
All My Children
Susan Lucci Joins the Cast of Jonah Hill’s Movie ‘Outcome’
Look who will be part of the ensemble cast in motion picture and film star Jonah Hill’s new film project! That’s right, none other than Susan Lucci (ex-Erica, All My Children).
According to Deadline, the daytime television icon joins other notables including Laverne Cox and David Spade who have been added to the cast of Outcome. The film stars Keanu Reeves, Matt Bomer (ex-Ben, Guiding Light) and Cameron Diaz.
In Outcome, which is written by, and will be directed by Hill, the dark comedy centers around Reef (played by Reeves), a damaged Hollywood star who must dive into the dark depths of his past to confront his demons and make amends after he is extorted with a mysterious video clip from his past.
Photo: JPI
Soap fans know that following her iconic run as All My Children’s Erica Kane, Susan went on to be featured in Lifetime’s Devious Maids in the role of Genevieve Delatour. Since her Pine Valley days ended (when AMC was canceled in 2012), Susan has appeared in numerous shows and made numerous appearances. n December of 2023, Lucci was awarded the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Photo: JPI
Outcome will debut on Apple and is an Apple Studios production. The film marks the latest collaboration for Hill and Apple Original Films, who are also developing a Grateful Dead biopic with Martin Scorsese’s Sikelia Productions, to be directed by Scorsese, with Hill starring in it and as one of the producers of the project, as well.
So, intrigued to see what kind of role Susan plays in Jonah Hill’s new film ‘Outcome’? Comment below.
All My Children
Jacob Young Shares Production Pic of Cast of His New Film Featuring Joan Collins and Nadia Bjorlin
Last month, during a livestream conversation on the Michael Fairman Channel, while promoting Jason Cook’s film, Four for Fun, and featuring soap notables Jacob Young (ex-AJ, AMC, ex-Lucky, GH, ex-Rick, B&B) and Brytni Sarpy (Y&R), Young revealed some intel on his upcoming movie project.
Jacob shared that he was set to direct, produce and star in a Agatha Christie-like murder mystery feature film, Murder Between Friends shooting in Prague.
The actor/director expressed, “I’m flying at the end of the March to Prague to direct, produce and star in a film with Joan Collins (ex-Dynasty). Nadia Bjorlin (ex-Chloe, Days of our Lives) is in it, and Toby Alexander Smith from Eastenders (ex-Gray Atkins). Plus, a couple of my Broadway friends and a very well known Czech actress (Hana Vagnerova). It’s very ‘Knives Out’ without having a hundred million dollars to shoot it, but still will be a lovely film nonetheless.”
Photos: JPI
Young is currently shooting the film’s principal photography abroad through April 17th.
Over the weekend, Jacob took to his Instagram to share a photo with the cast of the film where pictured is former Dynasty star, Joan Collins (ex-Alexis) and former Days of our Lives star, Nadia Bjorlin (ex-Chloe). In addition, former All My Children star, Trent Garrett (ex-Asher) is seen in director-mode kneeling.
Trent and Jacob are both co-directors of Murder Between Friends. Joan Collins shared the pic on her Instagram citing, “This was the #secret I posted about several weeks ago!”
So, looking forward to seeing Jacob’s film when it is released with Joan, Nadia, and company? Let us know in the comment section.
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All My Children
Barbara Rush, ‘All My Children’ and ‘Peyton Place’ Actress, Dies at 97
Veteran Hollywood actress Barbara Rush, known to soap opera fans for her recurring roles on All My Children as Nola Orsini, and on Peyton Place where she played Marsha Russell, died at 97 on Sunday, March 31st.
Her passing was confirmed by Rush’s daughter, Fox News Channel senior correspondent Claudia Cowan. In a statement, Claudia shared, “My wonderful mother passed away peacefully at 5:28 this evening. I was with her this morning and know she was waiting for me to return home safely to transition. It’s fitting she chose to leave on Easter as it was one of her favorite holidays and now, of course, Easter will have a deeper significance for me and my family.”
Barbara had an extensive career in films and television that included roles in: It Came From Outer Space, The Goldbergs, 7th Heaven, The Young Philadelphians, Robin and the 7 Hoods, The Young Lions, Batman (TV series ), The Bionic Woman, Fantasy Island, Love Boat, Murder, She Wrote and so many others.
Photo: NBC
From 1968 to 1969, she starred in 75 episodes on Peyton Place. In 1980, Rush also appeared in NBC’s primetime soap opera, Flamingo Road taking on the role of Eudora Weldon, who’s adoptive daughter was played by Morgan Fairchild.
Then, in 1992, she was cast as All My Children’s Nola Orsini. In the storyline, Tad (Michael E. Knight) had amnesia and washed ashore from a river and wides up in California. He gets a job at Orsini Vineyards, where the owner, Nola Orsini (Rush), says that he is the spitting image of her missing son, Ted Orsini, who was kidnapped as a child, and insists Tad is him. She takes him in, trains him to run the vineyards, and makes him her heir, completely convinced he is her lost son, and the story unspooled from there.
Rush is survived by her two children the aforementioned Claudia Cowan, and Christopher Hunter.
Share your condolences for and remembrances of Barbara Rush via the comment section below.
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I’m already 100% in love with the character of Sonny.
It’s nice to see a show approach a gay storyline that is not all about flash…..you know just trying to get some quick media attention. I don’t watch Days, but I think it’s great that they are invested in showing diversity among their stories.
I already love Sonny too and I think that Freddie Smith brings charisma to the role. I wouldn’t have expected anything less for the awesome biochild of an awesome supercouple (Justin & Adrienne) and who was named after another awesome character (Sonny is a nickname for Jackson and was named after Adrienne’s brother Jack Deveraux, who I’m psyched to see coming back to the canvas in September).