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Michelle Stafford Shares Her Thoughts On If Y&R Will Recast The Role Of Phyllis!
In a fantastic farewell interview by Stephanie Sloane in the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest on newsstands now, one of the best actresses to ever grace the daytime genre, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) talks about: her decision to leave the number one soap after15 years, if the latest Y&R regime change (Jill Farren Phelps and Josh Griffith) had anything to do with her exit, her plans for the future, if she would consider doing another soap, and how she would feel if Y&R was to recast the role of fiery Phyllis!
In an excerpt, regarding if the show will recast the role, Michelle related, “You know what? Let’s be honest with this. I absolutely think they will, if they haven’t already done that. They are just going to be quiet about it. And I say this because the character is so instrumental in the show, and I really, really take it as a compliment that they don’t want to lose the character.”
Later in discussing a recast, Michelle added : “And I am not upset if they recast. I totally understand. Even when I called Angelica McDaniel (CBS Entertainment Daytime VP), I said, ‘You will probably recast.’ And she said, “No, no, no. We won’t recast.” And I said, “Well, I have some ideas, if you are interested.”
Make sure to pick up your copy of SOD and read the entire interview! Now let us know, what do you think The Young and the Restless will do, and should do? Do you think they need the role of Phyllis on the canvas? If so, since Michelle has departed the series, should they recast it? If so, with who would you suggest? And if they shouldn’t recast it, do you think they should just keep Phyllis off the canvas, and see if one day, Michelle would want to return, even though she has said she is completely done? Weigh-in!
Kelly Sullivan as Phylis…then maybe ill tune back for that.
that is an amazing idea
I like that idea too ! I think Kelly would make an excellent Phyllis.
Funny, because that’s what I was thinking.
i think they should not recast phyllis and bring the old phyllis back please i love her to death theres no one like phyllis and do not let sharon get with nick and i hope the truth c ome out about summer really being nick kid and not jack please
I think they should try and bring the old Phyllis back but not recast. It will be very hard for someone to fit the old Phyllis’ SHOES!! You guys are going to mess Y&R up. I do not like the new Abby or the guy that plays Jack’s son. It is hard to recast some of the cast.
Kelly Sullivan as any character would make me tune in. Connie and Jason (Steve Burton) would be great! 😉 Plus Kelly has proved what she can do with a recast role!
I think they should bring the old Phyllis back. Fans have been waiting for her to wake up and put Sharon in her well earned place. Phyllis has become a major fixture in the show and has earned her place unlike others
They’ve tried recasting this role before and it didn’t work. I’d suggest bringing Ed Scott back as executive producer and rehiring Kay Alden and John Smith as head writers and see if she’d return then. Even if she didn’t, the show would be watchable again so the viewers would win either way.
I totally agree with u on that. This team had Bill Bell vision of this show.
Sarah J Brown needs to dye her hair red & take over the Phyllis role! She’s perfect for it!!!!
Sarah would be good but I think she may be a little to young for the part
I said Sarah Brown as well on daytime confidential and I was told that JFP and Sarah are not friends. Sarah not FOJ (friends of Jill) I think Sarah would killed the role… Alot of people want Robin Christopher because she’s FOJ like Burton….
I agree Ed Scott/Alden/Smith would be perfect combo, but that would admit that Sony failed with LML, MAB, JF/JG and Sony doesn’t want Bill Bell people, that why Scott/Alden at B&B.
Let Michelle as Phyllis lapse into a coma and go into a rehab facility…….mentions can be made to her from time to time. In the future, she may want to reprise her role and if not, she could be recast by another actress, but one who has some memory issues! In my mind perfect solution. For the fans she is not gone, and the hope of a return is always possible.
Genie Francis’ Laura languished in a coma for 10 years give or take a few wake ups during sweeps periods…. certainly if it worked for her it could work for Michelle.
YES!!!!
I don’t think they should recast Phyllis’s role. Michelle Stafford is a great actress and she will be difficult to follow behind just as Jeanne(God bless her soul). I did not care for Phyllis’s. I am a Sharon fan though they have reduced her to nothing; however , I will give Michelle Stafford her Emmy. She is great!
I to am a sharon fan, and I hate what the writers have done to her! I am not a fan of Phyllis , that being said I think they should recast, there is just way to much story left to tell, but I don’t think the Y&R writers can pull it off…..they don’t seem to have any good ideas, they just throw something against the wall to see what sticks… they just make up stuff, it doesn’t fit with the original concept of the show, and I have watched for 40 years, except when I took ten years off, got tired of what was going on, may need to take a break again if they don’t fire the JFP….maybe Josh would be better if she wasn’t around.. I don’t know the answer!
.
Michelle Stafford owns Phyllis..
Michelle is very unique with her portrayal of Phyllis..
A recast will fail because whomever could never be close to the Phyllis I know and love.
I already miss her…
Michelle Stafford is Phyllis and Phyllis is Michelle Stafford …
Agreed 100%
I soooo agree! Michelle stafford please come back,she did that role
Torn on this one. I love Michelle she is a wonderful actress. I say recast only if it is necessary for the story. If it’s not, Red will just have to lie in a coma until Michelle hopefully reconsiders her position and return.
suggestions who can play phyllis. robin christopher ex skye gh. liz keifer ex blake guiding light. kelly sullivan connie gh. all of them are terrific actresses.
Love the idea of Liz Keifer!
Yes I was thinking liz too! I love michelle as phyillis…but she movef on…summer nick and jack have to know truth and bat shit crazy sharon needs to go down…they must recast…and I’ve been a faithful watcher for almost 30 years!
Some roles are near impossible to recast. All actresses mentioned so far are terrific, but they aren’t Phyllis. I hope there is no recast. But I also hope they end this stupid storyline and allow Summer to know Nick is her father. I HATE it!!!
I agree all of the actresses named are terrific, but Michelle Stafford is an original and that is what makes Phyllis unique and different. Just like there are many violins that make beautiful music, the sweetest music is played by a stradivarius, and that is what MS is, an actress that played all of Phyllis’s complex layers to the sweetest most entrancing music.
I agree with deborah nash. I feel that leaving the story with Summer’s parternity left open makes it harder having Phyllis gone Revealing the truth will take away the loss of Phyllis a lot. We then could focus on Nick and Summer reuniting as father and daughter, but leaving that paternity issue open makes it a double loss with Phyllis gone. Clean up the paternity and then move on until the Phyllis issue is resolved. I can’t stand having Summer not be a Newman.
sharon will be forced to tell when noah begins to date summer.
Well I don’t think recasting now would be a good idea– I would wait at least a year before making that move if I were in charge. And if Phyllis has suffered head trauma they can change the character’s personality, so NuPhyllis wouldn’t have to be like MS’s Phyllis. As much as I love MS portrayal –the character might benefit being off canvas for awhile. Her and Jack living happily ever after was never going to happen– this way neither one has to hurt the other– this time they were parted by circumstances not cheating. Also if she had stay they might have eventually hooked her up with Dylan– and nobody wants that. So let’s see what happens– but for now they would be fools if they recast too soon.
Jamie Luner(ex-Liza, AMC, Lexi, MP) she would be the PERFECT Phyllis, although I sure as hell wouldn’t wanna work for Jill Farren Phelps, she is awful!!!!!!!
i agree with you richard. jamie luner would be the perfect phyllis. jamie is a terrific actress. jill farren phelps is a soap killer. jill needs to be fired now.
Agreed …. Jill Farren Phelps destroyed the now defunct Guiding Light!!!
i am sorry but Michelle Stafford is one in a million no one can play Phyllis like she can she is the best
Yes, Robin Christopher can. She can even play her better.
Liz Kiefer or Kelly Sullivan but not too soon! Please NOT Robin Christopher.
Hello??? ROBIN CHRISTOPHER!!!!!!!!!!
Paging Robin Christopher….
They need Phyllis, but they need decent writing much more.
Michelle Stafford made the part of Phyllis her own from the VERY beginning! There is NO ONE I can even think of playing the role!!! And the chemistry( or lack thereof LOL) between her and each and every actor she interacted with is unique! She is irreplacable! (sic) Put her in a coma and hope she changes her mind! But, please, please, PLEASE let Nick find out that he really IS Summer’s dad!! Most heartbreaking story ever and I hate that they took Sharon’s character that far down!
I really hate this show now, it used to be such a part of my life, but now I have not watched in a long time and have only tuned in the last few weeks because MS is leaving and wanted to see her final scenes. The writing is/was a disapointment but MS is always excellent. I really hate that such a big part of the history over the last few years has been destroyed with the stroke of a pen.
I agree that nick needs to know that summer is his daughter but if noah dates summer Sharon would have to tell nick but I love the charctor of Phyllis so to add fire I think Phyllis should really come back they could make it to where she lives long enough to let the secret out to nick and jack summer
Although I will totally completely, totally miss michelle, phyllis is a much needed character. Just like drusilla was and Im still waiting for her to return. Victoria has been recast and amelia has saved that chatater. RECAST!!!
There are still seem to be huge number of the fans that do not accept AH as Victoria.
Robin Christopher is the only actress who can pull it off. For starters, she’s a far more interesting actress than Michelle Stafford ever will be because she doesn’t have to raise her voice to make a scene interesting.
AMEN! Lets start a Robin Christopher campaign!!
I disagree! Michelle understands the psychological depth of Phyllis’s character; she raises her voice only when she feels others are treating her unjustly and/or she is being defensive … The character of Phyllis is an exceedingly complex one!
Can’t believe nobody said this yet… Tamara Braun!
LOVE Tamara Braun…she would be fantastic as Phyllis. And she kind of has the same body type as MS, which sometimes makes a re-cast easier.
IMO, Tamara Braun was the best “Carly” on GH, too.
Only one actress can play Phyllis Summers, Abbott, Newman: Michelle Staffford!!!
Robin Christopher would be perfect with Peter Bergman. She would be his best leading lady ever. Fingers and toes crossed for her to become Phyliss
They should recast stafford’s char on y&r. Any char really should be recast if storyline needs that character.
Okay MS is Phyllis but her character is needed on
Y&R! I want to through another option out there
Gina Torginio (sc) Diana Malher GUIDING LIGHT!
Actually right now Phyllis isn’t really needed on the show. If she had stayed what would they do- break up her and Jack, which would be a repeat. Daniel is gone with Lucy, and Summer is grown up. I don’t want to watch Phyllis fight Avery for Nick– ala shades of B&B fixation with triangles until the point of barfing. Worse yet they could hook her up with Dylan- yipes.
No, I think this is the perfect time for the character to be off canvas for a while. Have Sharon and Nick get back together and on their wedding day, in a year or so, Phyllis wakes up from her coma and crashes the wedding to reveal Nick is really Summer’s father. At that time if MS still not interested in coming back, then by all means recast.
Liz (blake) I think she would be awesome
MSLane … I just thought the same thing this week – Gina Tognoni would be the only daytime actress that is capable of filling Michelle Stafford’s shoes and taking over the role of Phyllis. I loved her as Dinah on Guiding Light and the character of Phyllis isn’t too far off from what Gina played on GL! I want Gina back on daytime television – and how fitting it would be if it were on CBS 🙂
Gina can’t act !
First of all, I am thrilled Summer is Nick’s child. I am not to thrilled about an almost 7 year old character being 18 now. The timing is too jarring because Cassie was 13-15 when she died, which would make her in her 30s by now, which would make Nick and Sharon in their mid to late 40s, which is stretching an already stretched chronology.
ANYWAY, I digress. I am NOT happy about Michelle Stafford leaving. She is Y&R of the 2000s. Anyone throwing stones at Phyllis needs to do the same to Michael and many others. Also, I loved Nick and Sharon, BUT I LOVED Nick and Phyllis. I was hoping they’d get back together.
What an exhausting actor she is.
Thank God she’s gone. I can’t imagine how much less work the crew will have to do now that she’s not chewing the scenery on a daily basis. Can’t even imagine how many eyes she’s put out everytime she flails those arms around.
It’s been time for her to move on for the last 5 years. She’s made it far too clear onscreen how little she values the show and most of her coworkers.
Virtually any recast will be a refreshing change.
Well grab the article and read it she is pretty vain, but I guess if you do not love yourself who will right?
Sometimes they need to let the fans win. I agree that no one could play “Phyllis” like Michelle so I agree with placing her off screen until some future date. Let the authentic “Phyllis” be the one and only. People get associated with certain actors playing certain roles and to bring that to an end by changing the actor does a disservice to the person who is known for the role.
The show shouldn’t suffer because michelle moved on…her character is very much needed
Maybe if Sony/CBS would just get rid of JFP, Josh could do a better job of co-writing with a new person or persons….think I will tweet angelica mcdaniel, head of cbs daytime, and remind her fans are not happy.. of course there is one person who tweets negative stuff everyday and nothing gets done.. so guess time will tell, it will either get better, be cancelled, or I’ll stop watching..
Just curious, how long have you been waiting for it to get better?
CBS executive Angelica McDaniel has been repeatedly mentioned in articles like this one concerning Y&R casting decisions. Her name crops up here and I vividly remember seeing it in a link on this site to an article concerning Marcy Rylan leaving the role of Abby Carlton.
I am LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNG time viewer of CBS soaps and have a LOOOOOOONNNG memory of them. I remember the bad shape ATWT was in for several years before it left the air and comments from various writers/etc. mentioning CBS executives’ input into the show. I don’t remember McDaniel (or predecessor Barbara Bloom) being mentioned to this degree in pre-Phelps articles about the day-to-day decisions about Y&R. I am wondering if the firing of Maria Bell was just as much about CBS taking a more active role in the running of the show as it was in (justifiably) getting rid of Bell.
ALL of this bothers me. I can understand a network executive having some influence over a show but NOT about detailed creative issues such as recasting. I highly doubt that Bill Bell would have tolerated that level of network involvement into his creative process. I shudder to think where all of this is headed based on what I vividly remember about the criminally pitiful shape ATWT was in when it died.
I’m really going to miss Michelle as Phyllis – I pretty much hated her in the early years ,but grew to love her when she got with Nick.
I always loved them as a couple way more than Jack and Phyllis or Nick and Sharon (they’ve completely ruined her).
I don’t think Sharon can be rehabilitated at this point – she’s totally whacko !
I hope they don’t leave this storyline hanging too long !!
Agree!
Their is not going to be a recast anytime soon I am hoping we discover that a/hole Victor had Sharon’s meds messed with. Besides that this show as long as JFP is in charge is all about Dylan/Steve Burton.
Hate that tptb tried to change history with Summer’s paternity. I wonder if that is why Michelle S. left. Then once they saw they had made a mistake, they threw the poor character of Sharon (love Sharon Case) in as a villain to reverse what had been done. Isn’t it funny how quick Steve Burton was added to the opening credits? I love Michelle Stafford and wish her the best. AND I will watch for her wherever she lands! I see only great things!
JPF…it is time to go before Y&R becomes Genoa City much like General Hospital became Port Charles. Stories are moving way too fast and characters are so out of character. And too many stories going on at once. I can’t even count them!! Please Sony…save our Y&R NOW!!! I promise to watch until it gets corrected!
I love all stories going on, it dose not bore me to have several stories, if i dont like one story i may like the other 7..
And, I like a faster pace with the stories.. long drawn out stories do not hold my attention and become stagnate a bore me to stone..
The role should not be recast for a long time. Stafford has made too much of an impact and prior attempts have failed miserably. Under the current regime many characters have been either derailed or written into a corner. As someone else mentioned a happy Phyllis/Jack would be boring They have taken almost all possible story away from Phyllis.
I have never been a huge Sharon fan but that poor character has been thrown under the train, bounced off and hit by a bus. An explanation for her “odd” behavior was given with the bi-polar diagnosis, then they screw that up by making her the town pariah anyway , then compound it with this last insane DNA tampering. It would have made more sense to show Sharon grow by landing a job non-Newman and be a strong, independent, self-sufficient woman.
A fun couple, Kevin & Chloe, has been broken apart by making Kevin into a guy who gets his thrills from breaking & entering regardless of the consequences.
Niki is practically a wall ornament for all we see of her.
I like Adam but am tired of the continuous waltz of distrust between he & Victor.
The Michael/Lauren story was interesting because there was no instant forgiveness and you saw them really working their way back. The psycho Carmine aspect was unnecessary and predictable. It would have been more interesting to have Carmine be the new Brad type of character,,,,working his way into a position of power.
Dylan…ugh. STOP stuffing Steve Burton down our throats. He is NOT all that.
I don’t blame Michelle Stafford for leaving. She probably sees the handwriting on the wall as far as JFP & JG are concerned and knows that the vets will eventually be destroyed so the FOJ can be brought in and repaint the show with their stories.
And, just as an end note….cannot stand Tyler or Leslie. Mason isn’t on enough to have strong feelings abou I have to say that Melissa Ordway has Abby has grown on me, though I really like Emme Rylan.
I do not blame MS for leaving either, as a veiwer I left the show months ago and I rarely look back and when I do, all I have to watch is a couple of minutes before I am off and running away from the show.
Only a few daytime actresses could handle the role: Laura Wright, Kelly Sullivan, Kassie DePaiva, Arienne Zucker…. It will be interesting.
Don’t recast Phyllis!! If they must then Sarah Brown, Kelly Sullivan or Robin Christopher get my vote.
I am going to miss Michelle as Phyllis! She is Phylliss and it will be awkward seeing anybody else as Phyllis. However I am excited for Michelle and hope she finds fun things to do… she is very talented and she will be fabulous at whatever she does!!! Of course I would love it it if she came to GH!!! I just hope she is happy and loving whatever she does next!!!
I think they need to recast. There is still so much that Phyliss needs to do. Robin Christopher could pull this off. She was outstanding as Skye on AMC and GH and she was able to recast a beloved role on Another World without missing a beat. She is a devoted actress and she would be perfect with Peter Bergman. I can also see her as Summer’s mom 😉 C’mon CBS hire Robin Christopher!
They need to recast. Phyllis is an integral character. I surmise Phyllis will go to a rehab center and return with a new face.
The role of Phyllis Newman should be recast, I have the perfect actress to replace Michelle Stafford, which is Robin Christopher, ex-Skye Quatermaine from General Hospital, she would be perfect for the role, because of the red hair and all plus she is a good actress who would do the role of Phyllis justice, I think Michelle Stafford would agree to that, and the role of Phyllis Newman should not be killed off and that would leave the door open, just in case Michelle do want to come back in the future.
From Renetta Alexander
Kansas City, Missouri
I’M JUST LOVING G/H AND ALL THAT IS GOING ON NOW IT’S GREAT.. NOW Y/R IS GETTING HOT I’M LOVING JASON BY THE DAYS .. IS THEIR EVER GOING TO BE A NEW PHYLLIS DOWN THE LINE ?
PLEASE DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN NO RECAST!! It would never work; Stafford is absolutely irreplaceable in that role and I fear for whomever would try to step in those Manolo’s!
I am so upset by her leaving the show, but she has other interests she wants to pursue and I wish her well and will definitely follow what she does. I will SO miss seeing her light up my television every single day. No matter what scene she was in, I am just riveted by her choices and talent; what a presence!! She’s a phenomenal actress and her leaving will create a huge void on Y&R. Will I still watch? Yes. Do I hope that she will return one day? PLEASE GOD! Best of luck Michelle, and thank you for so many wonderful years on Y&R!
I agree 100%
I think they should recast, but be careful with the right actor, phyllis was a diamond in the ruff! please don’t wait too long to cast a shadow over Sharon and let Summer and everyone know Nick is her father.
Michelle Stafford is such an extraordinary actress, she is so immensely talented … I quite honestly cannot see anyone else playing the character pf Phyllis after all she has given to us through the years! If I were Y&R I would do whatever it takes to get her back, if anything at least to wrap up her character in a more positive and happy way … a more fitting goodbye to her character! Frankly, I feel as though I have lost a friend and i will grieve her departure from the show! Yes, i realize she is a fictional character and it’s only make-believe, but when you watch someone on television for over a decade that individual becomes so familiar, almost like part of your own psyche! I think she’ll be back (*crosses fingers*)!
Michelle Stafford is such an extraordinary actress, she is so immensely talented! I quite honestly cannot see anyone else playing the character of Phyllis after all she has given to us through the years! If I were Y&R I would do whatever it takes to get her back, if anything at least to wrap up her character in a more positive and happy way … a more fitting goodbye to her character! Frankly, I feel as though I have lost a friend and i will grieve her departure from the show! Yes, I realize she is a fictional character and it’s only make-believe, but when you watch someone on television for over a decade that individual becomes so familiar, almost like part of your own psyche! I think she’ll be back (*crosses fingers*)!
Michelle Stafford is to Phyllis Newman what Kim Zimmer is to Reva Shane!!! Not Re-castable…However I do think there is a lot of this story to tell. You could always do the Sheila twist again and have her play the New-Phyllis leaving the door open for the real Phyllis to return. My vote is for Gina Tignoni form Guiding Light she is an excellent actress and a real spitfire.
I started watching the show with Phyllis and I may stop now that she’s leaving. Can i continue watching with Sharon victorious and Phillis in a coma at her hand? And then there’s Avery, I actually dislike her more than both Sharon and even Cricket. I won’t be tuning in to see Avery and Nick ride into the sunset. Maybe I might continue watching for Adam, but I had hoped to see him and Phillis (Michelle) hook up someday.
Please recast Phyllis. Don’t let the secret die with her. And do NOT let Michelle Stafford come back. She is biting the hand that has fed her. Never have liked her anyway. Someone else can play the part and after time has passed, it will be okay.
Please, please do not recast! There will never be anyone to play Phyllis like Michelle Stafford. I understand she may have some other avenues to pursue but please Michelle dont close the door on coming back. The show needs Michelle not just the character. The character interacted with the other characters so well, especially Micheal. They were best friends. Michelle made Phyllis and I think Phyllis taught Michelle a few things too. The show was so fun with Phyllis. She will so be missed. I wanted Phyllis back with Nick, and I thought there was a chance they’d get back until they put her Avery with him. That hook up and relationship is so wrong due to how she has treated phyllis when she took their father side. Now they want to reward her with NIck! No absolutely not! No sharon and no Avery but with Phyllis(Michelle) I think maybe Michelle wasnt happy about that break up either and even she (Michelle) got bored at playing this goody-two-shoes-Phyllis, so boring. Dont know how Y & R will survive without Michelle. Everyone has gotten really boring! If Phyllis goes then bring Drucilla back, which has been a long time coming! Those two characters were cut from the same cloth, just heard they did not get along which probably helped on the show. Michelle I miss you arleady. You are the best actor on the show besides “Micheal”. Please dont make this forever. I think that would be the death of the show at this time. You made the show exciting and not just your character but you, Michelle. Wish you the best but so miss you already!! Best actress ever! Job well done!
… and again PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT RECAST PHYLLIS. If there is no recast I believe Michelle may come back, maybe not right away but one day. NO RECAST ABSOLUTELY NOT! PLEASE!
Please keep Michelle if possible she is the best thing going for y&r. Get rid of Sharon she’s not needed she gets away with to much that’s not real life. I would hate to see Michelle recast but we need Phyllis to shut Sharon down this has to come out about Summer.
Congratulations are in order for Jen Jacob (Ashley Morgan, Beyond the Gates) and her husband, musician Jesse Ruben. The two will be welcoming their first baby girl to their growing family in March of 2027 after Jacob that she is pregnant!
Jen took to her Instagram account and shared sonogram images of the couple’s little bundle of joy growing inside of her. She captioned the montage of images, “Mom & Dad have entered the chat. Baby girl coming March 2027 🩷” The post is set to the music of Thurston Harris’ “Little Bitty Pretty One.”
This marks the first child for the duo who have been married for the last 8 years and recently celebrated their wedding anniversary just last week on October 7.
Photo: JjacobIG
Ruben wrote on the occasion, “Eight years ago today, I got to marry my favorite person. Jen Jaccob, hank you for saying yes, and being the best, most patient and kind and loving partner. How lucky am I, to get to do life with you. I love doing life with you.”
BEYOND THE GATES CAST OVERJOYED
Upon the news, several of Jen’s Beyond the Gates costars were on the ready and jumped in the post comment thread including: Daytime Emmy nominee Arielle Prepetit (Naomi).“I’m gonna be an auntieeeee!! Yasss!♥️” That was followed by RhonniRoseMantilla (Chelsea), who aded, “YAYYYYY BTG BABY BTG BABYYYY💕💕💕”
Daytime Emmy nominee, Karla Mosley (Dani) wrote, “❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ love love LOVE – there aren’t enough hearts in the world.” Meanwhile, Daphnee Duplaix (Nicole) added, “Can’t wait for our newest family member!!!!” Lauren Buglioli (Vanessa) expressed: “EEEEEE!!! Aunt Lauren loves you baby girllll”
Photo: CBS
WILL THE CBS SOAP OPERA FOLLOW SUIT AND MAKE ASHLEY PREGNANT?
Meanwhile on CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates, Ashley still remains unlucky in love. Her ex-boyfriend, Derek Baldwin (Ben Gavin) died, she had initially split with suitor Grayson Perez (Jordi Vilasuso) after the The Impaler blood plasma reveal, but now seems back together with him. Previously, Ashley had a flirtation with Andre Richardson (Sean Freeman), which could still come back around in the future.
No word yet if Ashley will become pregnant on-screen during the time of Jen’s pregnancy or if she will be hiding behind the nurses station desk to cover her baby bump at Garland Memorial Hospital.
Share your congrats to Jen and Ben on the announcement of their baby on the way via the comment section, and let us know if you think Beyond the Gates should or will, write Jen’s pregnancy into the story for Ashley?
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News
B&B’s Dual Emmy-Nominee Lawrence Saint-Victor on Black Representation in the Soaps, ‘Our Voices Are Being Heard. I Want to Make Sure That Continues’
When Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter Walton, The Bold and the Beautiful) was announced to be nominated this year at the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards for not only Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series, but also as part of the nominated Writing Team from the CBS soap, it was a big moment in his life and his career.
As many know, Saint-Victor has been a veteran of soap opera since back in his early days as Remy on the now defunct Guiding Light. Fast-forward to some 17 years later since the conclusion of GL, and Lawrence is nominated in a year that is a breakthrough for Black performers and creatives behind the scenes in the soaps, which for decades was never the case in daytime television.
With the advent and launch in 2025 of the first Black-led hour-long daytime drama, Beyond the Gates locking down 15 nominations going into Emmy night on October 30 and a host of other writing and acting nominees, the tide seems to have shifted. It’s something Saint-Victor hopes will continue for years to come.
Photo: JPI
THE TIDE HAS TURNED
Speaking with Ebony, Lawrence shared on his dual nominations, “I’ve sat with those thoughts and feelings for some time, thinking about what these nominations mean to me, especially as the first Black man in daytime to be nominated for acting and writing in the same year.”
Saint-Victor is nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor alongside: Sean Dominic (Nate, Y&R), Mike Manning (Smitty, BTG), Michael Graziadei (Daniel, Y&R), Roger Howarth (Matt, Y&R), Timon Kyle Durrett (Bill, BTG).
On his journey in soaps, Lawrence explained, “So many Black men and women, both in front of and behind the camera, pushed the door open and kept pushing so that I could walk through. They fought to be seen, heard, and given an opportunity. I don’t take for granted that I get to stand on the other side of those doors now. And I believe it’s my responsibility — as well as the responsibility of my brothers and sisters in this industry — to keep pushing. That feels especially important to me as a writer.”
MORE WORK TO DO FOR INCLUSIVENESS
Lawrence added, “Representation can’t exist only in front of the camera. Our perspective and our experiences need to be present in the work too. Our experiences are not one thing. Black people are not one thing. We are romantic. We are funny. We are angry. We are heroic. We are flawed. We are sexy. We are vulnerable. We are complicated. We still have a lot of work to do, but we have also come so far.”
Win or lose, Lawrence believes this will be a moment for inclusiveness, celebration, and to inspire: “The fruit of the fight to be heard is coming to harvest. I am a leading man in a leading story on my show, and I’m also a writer on that very show AND I stand on the shoulders of giants. Our voices are being heard. I want to make sure that continues.”
The 53rd annual Daytime Emmys will be streamed on the official Emmys You Tube Channel as well as streamed on the official website The Emmys via watch.theemmys.tv.
So, have you been thrilled to see how the door has opened for Black representation in front of the camera and behind the scenes at your favorite daytime soaps? What do you think about Lawrence’s dual nominations heading into Emmy night? Share your thoughts on the state of the soaps via the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Alum Eva LaRue Talks Guest Performer Daytime Emmy Nod With Maurice Benard: ‘I Only Have a Nomination Because of You’
It was back in episodes of June of 2025 that saw the undoing and ultimate death of Natalia Rogers-Ramirez after complex and poignant scenes delivered by soap opera vet, Eva LaRue on General Hospital. Prior to her demise, Sonny (Maurice Benard) had Natalia believing they were going to head out of the country and set up their lives together, only for Sonny to pull out at the last moment after learning of all of Natalia’s deception.
Throughout her run on GH, LaRue’s Natalia became one of the most hated characters of the year, especially because of the character’s bigotry against her own gay children, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) and Blaze (Jacqueline Grace Lopez), and that she was revealed to be the ex-wife of Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota). But even with all that, Eva triumphed and secured a Daytime Emmy nomination going into the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards on October 30 in the Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series.
LaRue faces tough competition from the other nominees that include: Christopher Sean (Paul, Days of our Lives), Jasmine Burke (June Hughes, Beyond the Gates), Jeff Kober (ex-Cyrus Renault, General Hospital), and Ray Wise (ex-Ian Ward, The Young and the Restless).
Photo: NATAS
EVA LARUE SCORED HER FOURTH EMMY NOMINATION
Now, on a new Sunday, October 11 edition of Maurice Benard’s mental health series, State of Mind, the two former co-stars talked about LaRue’s fourth Daytime Emmy nomination. She previously won an Emmy for her work as as Celeste Rosales on The Young and the Restless in this same category in 2020, and was nominated three other times including this year.
The others were for co-writing the song, “Dance with You Again” for All My Children in 2004 and in 1997 in the Supporting Actress category her role as Mario Santos on the beloved ABC soap opera.
Speaking on her nomination, LaRue says it’s Maurice who was truly helped her deliver her performances. “I only have a nomination because of you,” she said to the three-time Daytime Emmy winning Lead Actor. “You said to me that you were going to get nominated.” Eva added, “God bless the writers because they wrote some fantastic stuff for me to go out on.”
Maurice responded, “You had levels in your work that day that we did those scenes. But you were on fire!”
Photo: ABC
MAURICE BENARD’S BOLD EMMY PREDICTION
Explaining the category she is nominated for to Benard, LaRue said, “I’m nominated for Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series. So (the category) was those of us who were like not on contract, but we were there for a while. I mean now, I feel like that guest thing is so much more competitive than it ever was, because so many of the soap operas are taking people off contract, which then throws them into the Guest category.”
Benard, who shares he has great Emmy karma predicting the acting awards on daytime’s biggest night, made his bold 2026 prediction sharing his pick. “I would say you’re gonna win (to LaRue). And I would say if not, it’s between you and somebody else. There’s no reason why you wouldn’t win for the ‘Guest’ category.”
You can watch part 1 of the conversation between Eva LaRue and Maurice Benard on State of Mind below. With part 2 being released next Sunday on October 18.
Now, let us know, do you think Eva has a chance at grabbing the gold for her work as Natalia-Rogers Ramirez on General Hospital? Would you like to see her win? It’s been a very heavy time for Eva after just recently losing her brother. Let us know your thoughts via the comment section.
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Trina Reminisces About Spencer, Soon After Roses and a Note from Her ‘Biggest Fan’ Arrive
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Zende Quits Forrester Creations in Another Standout Performance by Delon de Metz
‘Beyond the Gates’ Actress Jen Jacob Reveals Pregnancy
B&B’s Dual Emmy-Nominee Lawrence Saint-Victor on Black Representation in the Soaps, ‘Our Voices Are Being Heard. I Want to Make Sure That Continues’
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Matt Clark Reveals Himself, ‘Clearly, Hero Time Is Over’
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Delon de Metz Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
Netflix Canada to Stream Past Episodes of ‘Days of our Lives’ and ‘The Young and the Restless’
Robert Kelker-Kelly, ‘General Hospital,’ ‘Days of our Lives’ and ‘Another World’ Star Dies at 62
BEYOND THE GATES Preview: Who’s Trying to Silence Hayley?
‘Beyond the Gates’ Fall Preview: Michele Val Jean Reveals Twists and Turns in Fairmont Crest, Teases New Faces
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Trina Reminisces About Spencer, Soon After Roses and a Note from Her ‘Biggest Fan’ Arrive
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Zende Quits Forrester Creations in Another Standout Performance by Delon de Metz
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Matt Clark Reveals Himself, ‘Clearly, Hero Time Is Over’
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: ‘From Your Biggest Fan’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Finn May Learn Unsettling News, Zende Makes His Decision, Katie’s Bitter Battle Escalates
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