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Michelle Stafford Talks The Stafford Project Season 2, Nina "Cray-Cray" Clay, and Roger Howarth!

By Michael Fairman

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Photo Credit: Duffmages.com

Photo Credit: Duffmages.com

Michelle Stafford (Nina Clay) has been giving powerhouse performances (as per usual ) over the last several weeks on General Hospital in the disturbing but-can’t-take-your-eyes of storyline, where Nina literally takes Ava’s (Maura West) baby right out of her and whisks the baby girl away with the help of her mother Madeline (Donna Mills).  Of course, Nina seems to live in some altered reality … the woman is certifiable!

Meanwhile, while Stafford has been playing the part of Nina “cray-cray” Clay for all she is worth and then some, Michelle is also gearing up for  season 2 of her hit web series, The Stafford Project.  And to kick things off, the DVD release of season 1 of The Stafford Project will be available on Black Friday (November 28th) with some very special never-before-seen footage/video extras!

Huffington Post Canada caught up with the Daytime Emmy winner to get some insight into what fans can expect from the second round of The Stafford Project, her thoughts on Nina Clay, and working with her current scene partner, Roger Howarth (Franco) on General Hospital.   Here are a few excerpts below!

Michelle on what to expect on The Stafford Project in Season 2, and what guest stars will be appearing:  “Confirmed right now are James Scott, Catherine Bell, and Nadia Bjorlin, but many Season 1 guest stars are expected to come back, too. I just need confirmations because they’re so busy.  Oh, Corbin Bernsen is joining.  We’ve written outlines for the entire season. We’re going edgier, as if we could be any edgier, right? We’re putting a microscope on Michelle’s life in the soap world. “

Michelle on what fans can see on the DVD compilation:  “I’m really excited about it. I worked my ass off editing all the behind-the-scenes stuff. I did it myself, because I know what fans expect. I’m such a nerd in that respect. People want to see the guest stars and actors screw up the shots.”

Michelle on if she clicked right away working with Roger Howarth (Franco) on GH:  “Yes. He’s really good; if he throws you a ball, he expects you to catch it. And if you drop it, he’ll throw you another one … and expect you to catch it again! We did some scenes the other day that’ll air in December that made me go, ‘Oh my God, I didn’t even have to act!’ I just had to be there. I hope they turn out great. What happened between us in that particular scene, I have never experienced before as an actress with another actor. Ever.”

Michelle on how Nina missing 20 years of her life has impacted her character: “They (GH) love making reference to what she’s missed. What I love, personally, is that her emotional state is like a 20-year-old. She still believes in love — and she’s not jaded. It’s cool.”

Watch a teaser of some of the best moments from The Stafford Project season one below that will be part of the DVD! Then let us know, what do you think of Michelle and Roger Howarth’s scenes on General Hospital this week?  Will you check out the new season of The Stafford Project?  What do you think will happen next to GH’s Nina Clay? Comment below!

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Michelle Stafford (Nina Clay) and Roger Howarth (Franco)
WOW!
How to describe their chemistry..
Apart they are a firecracker – together they are TNT Dynomite!!
They are the best ”thrilling” ”mysterious” ”spellbinding” couple ever..
It is a very different love story.. truly intriguing as it develops..

I can’t get enough of Maura West (Ava) and Nina and Franco..!!
the acting is overwhelmingly great..

ALL the GH cast.. again- ALL the actors are way above the fold and only greatness would describe them ALL..
I have not enjoyed a soap more than I do GH..
There is never a dull moment..
GH offers a variety of stories, there is always a story of awesome intrigue among the stories..
…………………… The GH cast is ”magic” ………………………..

Looking forward to once again seeing Michelle online in her series, The Stafford Project . it is very entertaining and always fun to watch.. BRAVO Michelle..

i am glad she came to GH, Michelle is so much more powerful an actress with GH as Nina than she ever was as Phyllis with Y&R..
Ron and team are writing her to highlight her great acting skills..

LOL

GREAT post : Yikes

Thursdays ep : Michelle Stafford bowled me over… were we not “ALL” waiting for her to enilven… and get out of that wheel chair… (no disrespect intended) but

Nina and Franco…. per your post : “… truly intriguing as it develops ”

add in Maura West… and GH rocks

it truly is standing O for the greatness, and heavyweight their presence unspool tended

i’m present when they reel

Everything you said, Su.

Love love love this actress! Love her on GH & The Stafford Project!

On Howarth, ‘We did some scenes the other day that’ll air in December that made me go, ‘Oh my God, I didn’t even have to act!’ I just had to be there.’

Well that says a lot and not in a good way. Not having to act and just having to be there. That’s what I see often in Howarth’s scenes. His schtick is about him. Having other actors as bystanders in a scene is only interesting if you just tune in to see him do stuff.

Actors often refer kindly to other actors when they use the term “generous.” That an actor is giving to another actor and allows them space to do what they need to do. Howarth does his thing, which often is just short of lighting his hair on fire. It is distracting, often inconsistent with the character and makes Franco just unwatchable for me.

Great actors don’t do schtick that steps on other actors and is interchangeable between roles that they play. Great actors develop unique characters and elevate the actors around them.

I took that statement completely another way.
She was bragging on RH in that paragraph. She said they did some scenes the other day that made her go ‘Oh my God, I didn’t even have to act.’ I just had to be there. Then she added: I hope they turn out great. What happened between us in that particular scene I’ve never experienced before as an actress with another actor. Ever.

That’s a compliment to RH, IMO. The beginning of that paragraph was also her complimenting him.

She said those scenes will air in December, so I’ll be watching for them.

In the full interview she speaks of how the GH cast is “drama-free” & they just do their job and go home. Her and Billy Miller were discussing it and they were going “Where’s the drama?” (Now that is a TELLING statement!) She also discussed how Billy came over to GH ego-free and says he doesn’t have that ego thing going on.

She also spoke of her love of working with Maura West and explains that Maura always wants the other person in the scene to shine as well. MS explained she’s worked with actors didn’t want her to shine. Once again, a very telling statement!

Last thing: She actually watches GH (true, because she’s always live tweeting during the show). She praised the Dante, Morgan, Michael & Sonny scene a few wks back, describing it as f**king awesome & such good tv. Love that, love her!

Yes Laurie, it’s obvious that she was complimenting RH. I didn’t say she wasn’t. I said that the example she used was telling. What she thinks would be cause for praise, other actors may not.

You’re absolutely 110% correct! The other commenter is totally wrong about Franco! His character is one of the best on a soap ever! I believe that is what MS was insinuating.

Yeah, Michelle is a big time TV star, she didnt have to single out those four actors but it goes to show you she doesnt have a huge ego and it seems as though she views her fellow cast mates as if she was a fan. Good inside work Michael.

“Howarth does his thing, which often is just short of lighting his hair on fire.”

Hilarious statement and so true. It’s called upstaging although I think both Roger Howarth and Michelle Stafford have met their match in each other in that regard.

That’s the problem I have with GH these days. The cartoon villains and upstaging are relentless while other characters/actors are reduced to little more than dull straight men/women/props to their antics. There’s not much in between. Certainly not in the sense of any relatable story to take these characters beyond one dimensional caricatures.

I can’t not disagree with you

Roger Howarth : “generous” scene stealer, upstaging

I think… he’s realizing that he’s going with MS… along for the ride… and he’s giving back… and we’ll reap the reward of what we’ve long known…. that these two persons catapulted , with their own character drive… and have now collided…. I like Timmm… prose : “Funny how the stars aligned for these two stars to end up working on GH together.”

RH i gather, has always had that comedic flair for tops with…. I think his deliver will now be in the subtelty to share …. he’s finally : as another post : met his match : equal : deliver with

i’m just happy that these two actors have , it seems, found their niche to circumvent and elevate

hasn’t Maura West been carrying driving and standing forward …

here comes Billy Miller

notwithstanding… equal measure to the whole cast… who collectively steer

DAYS and GH are pulling : Misses Nielsen says so

Nina and Franco are hands down the best couple on the soap..I love every scene…you can’t take your eyes off of them..I want more NICO

Funny how the stars aligned for these two stars to end up working on GH together.

I had the entire interview e mailed to me today I am glad that she is happy everybody should be happy in their job. I am also very happy that GT is making the role of Phyllis her own. Memo to Ms Stafford never burn bridges sometime you might need those people for whatever in your life. I find over the years in my life people tend to make their own drama! Good Luck!

Loved her acting on YnR even with worthless story lines.

It’s true, it seemed like in her last year on Y&R she didn’t have really awesome material worthy of her talents. That must have been one of the reasons she jumped to GH to play Nina – look at the material she’s been given. I mean, within the first few weeks she was already screaming and kicking over wheelchairs, and now she’s stealing babies. Talk about utilizing Michelle’s talents.

I love Michelle Stafford, she is so talented and a wonderful actress. I love love Nina Clay so much. I hope Michelle, stays on General Hospital for many years. The woman can act and she is a pretty woman.

Love Michelle Stafford. Before she joined GH I always wondered what all the hype was about (had never seen her), but man does she ever deliver with her performances.

GH has such a strong cast (and great direction that brings out their best), but more than anyone I’d like to see Michelle get an emmy for her work – she just rocks her material so incredibly well.

She was phenomenal on Y&R as Phyllis, but she was definitely more controlled than she is on GH. Here, she can spread her wings as far as they can go because Nina is truly crazy; it allows Michelle to play the happiness, sadness, anger, seething hatred, deep hurt… all the extremes and everything in between. And she’s been rocking it. She definitely deserves an Emmy for her work, and that says something since she’s only been on for 6 months.

Agreed – it really is an accomplishment

Michelle is a powerhouse and she’s been rocking it on GH. Nina isn’t just another villain, because she has a soft and sympathetic side that fights internally with her demons and hatred for those who have wronged her. That’s why I love Nina so much. Yes, she does heinous things, and yes, she probably deserves to be locked up in Miscavige. But underneath all the evil, there’s a broken person who has lost a husband, a baby and 20 years of her life. I’m not justifying her actions; but people don’t just come back from that unscathed. Regardless, I want Nina around as long as possible because Michelle absolutely rocks the role and her chemistry with Roger Howarth is phenomenal.

I like Michelle…but it seems to me in the video interview she did with Michael a few weeks ago, as well as this snippet from her web series…that her real life personality is rather similar to Nina’s! I don’t mean that she’s a loon or psychologically out there like Nina…but her gestures, animation, seemingly aggressive or strong nature…her expressions, demeanor…I just see Nina when I see or hear Michelle. Never saw her series…looks fun!

GH is her only work I’ve seen to date and imo it’s stand-out and amazing. She’s a talent they need to hold on to. I’d like to see the writers challenge themselves to develop a serious storyline about coming to grips/dealing with mental illness. For whatever reason they don’t seem to be able to tackle it with Heather (and Robin M would SO bat that storyline out of the park given the chance), so maybe Michelle’s Nina…?

Nina has help..
Franco will save her, wake her up to herself, and Nina will be well..
It is a soap!!
Heather needs to be as she is= Heather.. don’t mess with Heather..

RC and team will not bore up with cures for mental illness, that is not GH, that would be Y&R stuff..
GH is totally not like Y&R, thanky god..
however; GH gave us Kate and Connie for a year, a mental case but with drama tons of drama.. she got cured by being shot and killed LOL ..
gotta luv GH for what is .. out of the traditional soap box!! 🙂

I would LOVE to see Nina and Franco join Heather for Thanksgiving dinner!

Michelle is a phenomenal actress. Even when you hate her character, you can’t stop watching her.
I hated Nina until she started having scenes with Franco.
I hated Franco until his scenes with Nina.
Together they have exploded!

you nailed it with :

having the right partner… co-star : is a dream team…. of finesse and reap the reward of job well done

“Together they have exploded!”

finally

it’s a feast to behold… when the cast can orbit with…. the bigwigs, if you will. MS feeds off of/with in equal equanimity… give and take and implode

ditto for Roger Howarth . He is the one, that I’ve been rooting for… at last, I can rest, that he’s in good company to further his character.

Unbelievable performance. I cannot get enough of GH or her. The whole cast deserves the emmy for best performances. Then I heard Roger is leaving. The deal with Michelle and Roger is just too good to go away. Everyone stay.

Roger is NOT leaving 🙂
He will be playing a part in the TV series The Flash..
Roger will still be with GH, also ..

According to Frank Valenti Roger’s staying put on GH.

Michelle thank you so much for coming to GH and giving us Nina Clay… Wow Does it get any better than Nina, Madeline, Liesel and Franco!!

So Roger is staying right? I can’t imagine GH without Franco and Nina! They’re a force to be reckoned with and I adore Franco for how he deals with Nina! Best soap ever!

GH fans, we are so lucky. When Michelle left Y&R I got my Michelle Stafford fix watching The Stafford Project. Go out and buy the DVD it is SO entertaining! Now she is on GH and Billy Miller has joined her. These two actors are so talented and we are so lucky to have them. Michelle states how much fun it is to work on GH. She raves about Frank V. Michelle has a good friend over at Y&R that is leaving the show. Dollars to donuts Michelle has talked to this actor and has told him how much fun it is to work on GH and how talented every one is with none of the ego BS! That actor is Christian LeBlanc. Mark my words, he will join GH in 2015. He will be connected to Michelle somehow and those two along with Roger will blow up the screen! How much better can this get?

General Hospital

William deVry to Appear on ‘Tracker’ Season 4; Shuts Down Rumors of a ‘General Hospital’ Return

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William deVry addressed the rumors of his imminent return to General Hospital as Julian Jerome, which have popped up recently as click bait on websites or in video reels.

The soap opera veteran set the record straight when he took to Instagram to share a video of all that he’s been up to lately, and how fans catch him on multiple upcoming shows. Chief among them appearing in Justin Hartley’s (ex-Adam, Y&R and ex-Fox, Passions) drama series Tracker on CBS during its upcoming 4th season.

As deVry closed out his video message, he took a moment to confirm once and for all, “I am not coming back to General Hospital.” The last time viewers saw Julian on the Port Charles canvas, he was being zipped in a body bag after being shot in December of 2020, which ended deVry’s six-year-run on the soap.

Daytime fans also know that before his time on General Hospital, deVry played Michael Cambias on All My Children (2003-2004) and Storm Logan on The Bold and the Beautiful. (2006-2008).

Photo: CBS

TRACKER SEASON 4 HAS SEVERAL SOAP OPERA ALUMS

Coming up on Tracker, William is set to appear in episode 5  that airs in early November, where he is playing a bad guy. That’s the same episode that marks the return of another soap alum, Jensen Ackles (ex-Eric, Days of our Lives) as Russell Shaw, the brother of Hartley’s Colter Shaw.

Tracker premieres on Sunday, October 4 with its season premiere episode entitled “Safe Harbor,” launching Colter into a port-side case.

Before William is seen on Tracker, you can check him out next week in the movie Spill which drops on September 20 on Apple TV and Amazon Prime. That is followed on October 10, when the GH alum appears in Lifetime’s Movie of the Week, The Monster She Married, alongside Matthew Morrison (ex-Glee).

You can check out William’s video message below.

So, excited to see William deVry on the new season of Tracker? How do you feel about how the rumors got started that Julian Jerome might be resurrected? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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Beyond the Gates

RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Bests ‘General Hospital’ in Key Demos and Gains More Viewers Week-Over-Week

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Beyond the Gates

The ratings are out for the week of August 31- September 4, 2026 and it was a solid one for daytime’s youngest daytime drama, Beyond the Gates, now taping its third season.

According to the latest Nielsen report via Soap Opera Network, Beyond the Gates saw a rise in total viewers, tied with third place General Hospital in Households, and overtook GH in the women’s 18-49 and 25-54 ratings share putting them firmly in the number three spot.

Let’s take a look at the drama that had viewers tuning-in to the action in and around Fairmont Crest: Andre (Sean Freeman) kissed Heather (Ashley Jones) before leaving for Seoul with Dani (Karla Mosley).

Hayley and Bill

Photo: CBS

Meanwhile, Heather figured out that her brother Joey (Jon Lindstrom) killed Doug. Hayley (Marquita Goings) poisoned Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett) yet again and left him unconscious. Jacob (Jibre Hordges) and Smitty (Mike Manning) made progress in the Impaler investigation, and the Articulettes had to deal with Leslie’s (Trisha Mann-Grant) interference.

As for the numbers, Beyond the Gates came in with an average of 1,677.000 total viewers and gained +66,000 for the week, with total household share at 1.2 up +1, and the key demos: 18-49 rating share of 0.20 up +0.07 from the previous week and 25-54 rating share at 0.29 also up +0.07.

Drew and Ava

Photo: ABC

GENERAL HOSPITAL

Over at General Hospital, the ABC soap opera was the only show to lose viewers for the week of all four broadcast network television daytime dramas. GH came in with an average total viewers tally at 1,911,000, but lost -24,000 and was now only up year-over-year +27,000.

In story for the ratings week: Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) buried Brennan (Chris McKenna) on the ground around the Quartermaine estate, and Drew framed Nina (Cynthia Watros) for the crime by planting Brennan’s wallet in her car.

Chase (Josh Swickard) aggressively pursued the investigation of Jordan’s (Tanisha Harper) car crash which led him to confronting Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton). Trina (Tabyana Ali) overheard information suggesting Brook Lynn might be tied to the incident and later got an earful.

Darcy and Dylan

Photo: CBS

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

CBS daytime’s The Bold and the Beautiful, which has been on a great run in the ratings of late, came in with total viewers at 2,778,000 adding +59,000, and up year-over-year at this time +312,000. B&B was firmly in the #2 position in households, plus 18-49 and 25-54 demos, behind its sister soap Y&R.

In story for the ratings week: Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) struggled to hide her affair with Carter (Lawrence Saint-Victor) from Finn (Tanner Novlan), and Carter did the same in trying to keep it under wraps from Daphne (Murielle Hilaire). In addition, Darcy (Kelly Sullivan) arrived in Los Angeles and stood up to Katie (Heather Tom) for her treatment of her daughter, Dylan (Sydney Bullock).

Phyllis and Matt

Photo: CBS

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

The top spot once again belonged to The Young and the Restless. In fact, Y&R gained the most viewers week-over-week adding +127,000 with its total viewer average at 3,189,000 tuning-in. In addition, it was also up year-over-year +327,000. Y&R also was #1 for the ratings week in households and in the 18-49 and 25-54 demos.

In story for the ratings week: Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) thought of a plan for Matt (Roger Howarth) to return to Genoa City. Billy (Jason Thompson) temporarily gave up his fight for Chancellor after Sally (Courtney Hope) had a pregnancy scare, which could have lasting implications as they head to the altar in October.

Meanwhile, Kyle (Michael Mealor) and Victoria  (Amelia Heinle) secretly arranged another hookup, Nate (Sean Dominic) prepared for surgery with Stephanie (Vivica A. Fox) by his side, and while in rehab, Nick (Joshua Morrow) helped Marie (Jade Harlow) after her frightening confrontation with her abusive husband, Logan (Tommy Walker).

So, what do you think of the latest ratings picture? Glad to see Beyond the Gates performing well? Which soap opera has you most glued to your screens? Which soap opera has you often wanting to tune-out? Let us know via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Secrets Exposed!

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General Hospital

This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, official spoilers, and the latest teaser video, indicate that the truth is about to come out on many fronts which could put several Port Charles residents in harm’s way, but who will double-cross whom?

First, Nina has been carted away by the WSB, after she is the prime suspect in the disappearance and possible murder of Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Now it appears that her daughter Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) is willing to do anything to find her mother. (probably for fear she will somehow implicate Willow!)

Ava (Maura West) meets with Willow at the Metro Court Gardens and informs her, “If Nina is being framed. I may know by whom.” Would Ava risk the ire of Drew (Cameron Mathison), if she throw’s him under the bus and admits he planted Jack’s wallet in Nina’s car, or is she about to accuse someone else to protect him?

Meanwhile, Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Justine’s (Nazneen Contractor) romance is about to become public, or at least fall into the wrong hands! The two are being spied on while making out in a dark location thinking they are alone. Next, Ava’s voice is heard saying, He had to go down!” Is she talking about Sonny who she had teamed with Drew to take down? Cut to Sonny telling Ric (Rick Hearst) “Let ’em try.”

Finally, the action turns to Pentonville, where Curtis (Donnell Turner) is in a dangerous situation, when outside his cell, another inmate suggests to him, “Find a reason not to be in your cell after lunch.” Later, that man and two others, enter the cell as Sidwell (Carlo Rota) just reads a book, as he looks concerned as the men encircle him. Does Curtis come to the rescue of Sidwell? Stay tuned.

SPOILERS

Here’s a look at the official General Hospital spoilers for the week of September 21-25 below.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
Willow seeks out Valentin. Anna shares her fear with Jason. Carly makes a discovery. Rocco reassures Scout. Britt confides in Isaiah.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Jason and Sonny catch up. Carly does damage control. Britt and Anna come face to face. Jordan sees something she wasn’t supposed to. Lulu opens up to Dante.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
Sonny strategizes with Ric. Tracy enlists a new ally. Drew takes note of an encounter between Chase and Willow. Trina makes a big decision. Kai receives an offer.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
Ava confronts Sonny. Tracy reveals her agenda. Jordan is in for a shock. Michael and Drew put their cards on the table. Alexis meets with a potential client.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Carly levels with Jason. Lulu is stunned. Josslyn refuses Michael’s request. Jordan wants answers. Hudson assists Brook Lynn.

Now below, check out the latest General Hospital promo entitled, “Out Secret’s Out.”

Then weigh-in: Do you think Ava truly helps Willow save her mother by pointing the finger at Drew? Do you want Drew to go down, or do you want him to exact his revenge on Nina and Willow? Who do you think is behind Sonny and Justine’s romance being exposed? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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