News
NBC and USA To Adapt Telemundo Telenovelas Into English-Language Shows!
Courtesy/Telemundo
Looks like more soaps will soon enter the primetime arena! Today, via The Hollywood Reporter announced that NBC and it’s cable network USA will adapt English-language versions of hit Telemundo telenovelas: Senor de los Cielos (The Lord of the Skies), Telemundo’s highest-rated novela last season, averaging 2.3 million viewers nightly, and USA is developing the upcoming Mujer de Acero (Woman of Steel).
According to THR, “El Senor de los Cielos is the story of Aurelio Casillas (Rafael Amaya) one of the most prominent Mexican drug lords from the 1990s, whose ambition was to become one of the richest and most powerful men in Mexico.
The telenovela generated more than 35 million page views on Telemundo.com, spurring a seven-part midseason web companion series — El Capitulo Secreto (The Secret Episode) — that bridged the first season cliffhanger with the second season, which began last Tuesday.”
For those who may need some info just what is a ‘telenovela”: The telenovela is a widely popular and enduring genre in the Spanish-language entertainment market. The series can run for just a handful of episodes or more than 100, airing weeknights and typically ending with a cliffhanger to hook audiences night after night. In an increasingly time-shifted universe, telenovelas are still overwhelmingly viewed live.
“Developing this hugely popular telenovela allows us to not only showcase the great plotlines and stories that have captured Spanish-speaking audiences in an English-language adaptation, but it gives us the great opportunity to work hand in hand with our NBCUniversal partners at Telemundo,” said Jennifer Salke, president, NBC Entertainment. “We can’t wait to get started.”
So what do you think of the adapting of more telenovelas? Seems like everyone is jumping on the bandwagon banking on their success for their storylines and audience! Do the storyline concepts of the two mentioned in the post interest you? Who would you like to see cast in them? Weigh-in!
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.
Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.
Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.
Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?
Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
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here’s the bigger question: Why do the ‘powers that be’ at the big 3 networks assume that soaps will sell and win over audiences in primetime, yet want to abolish them in daytime? It’s never made sense to me. Long live soaps….daytime soaps especially.
I kind of agree with what you are saying but daytime or primetime ill take my soaps where ever i can get them as long as the are good!!!
Agree 100% I’ll take them anytime I can get them.
That PO’s me!
The network will run a Spanish telenovela/soap prime time evening’s,
and let our soaps suffer dwindling viewer numbers during daytime ..
And, telenovela’s are violent etc..
So.. for those who complain about a mobster in GH wait for the cartel telenovela ..
I will like it IF the dubbing is done well .. not a fan of subtitles ..
The US versions will not be dubbed or have subtitles. They are being adapted into English and will be cast with English speaking actors, similar to Devious Maids. I’m sure many daytime soap stars who are out of work will be auditioning.
I’m really not interested in a story about a drug lord. Too bad NBC couldn’t buy OLTL and AMC. But, I realize the alphabet people won’t sell.
What a clever idea…NOT! Less than a decade ago, one of the minor networks….(MyNetworkTV)….tried this same thing, and it went down in flames despite attracting such marquis names as Morgan Fairchild and Bo Derek. There were three or four different stories, and only one was even watchable…oddly enough, it had the least known cast members, but the plot was passable. Quite frankly, I don’t understand soap showrunners’ obsession with this format….it has totally ruined GH’s storytelling ability as opposed to the traditional method of presenting tales. In addition, the telenovelas are so campy and over-the-top melodramatic that they are more comical than the usual classy affairs one has come to expect in primetime soapies. I say if you want this form of entertainment, then just go to Telemundo.
LOL @Shay..even though daytime was in much better shape back then I was all over these shows on MyNetwork..They were silly..cliched..but packed a passable punch more or less. I was disappointed when they went off. Remember the one that had Tatum O’neal on it?? Some of those shows were an outright hoot.
Oh yeah, davlestev1, I remember them well. They were so bad they were unforgettable, although the one with the two cute blond Italian restaurateur brothers from NJ who fled to the West Coast to escape the mob was the best one from a storyline point of view. I actually watched all of those episodes. But the Bo Derek/Morgan Fairchild vehicle lost me, even though I tried to stick with it…I just couldn’t waste the VCR hours, when as you pointed out, we still had more daytime drama variety from which to choose. I vaguely recall the program with Tatum…she was such a trainwreck back then that no soap could outdo her real life story!!!! LOL….As for your suggestion about rebooting the great nighttime soaps of yesteryear, there was mention of bringing back “Falcon Crest,” although I cannot imagine it without the late, great Jane Wyman! And even if they don’t do a “Knots” redux, then at least some of their characters should re-emerge on “Dallas,” especially Donna Mills….once her “Swiss Sis” gig with Dr. O. ends, of course! “Peyton Place” was before my time, but I do know that Mia Farrow and Ryan O’Neal played the show’s “supercouple”…. Allison and Rodney, I think???? Quite frankly, no updated plot for the two of them could surpass their real-life sagas….the tales are so outlandish they would be deemed unbelievable even by soap standards! In the words of true telenovelas (not to mention, Bart Simpson….) “Ay caramba!!!!!”
Wasn’t one of them some God-awful thing with Bo Derek who absolutely cannot act her way out of a paper bag – I tried to watch it and it was just atrocious – was a few years back –
Ugly Betty was a success so why not?
Devious Maids is also doing well and it was adapted from a Mexican show.
And why not resurrect FalconCrest or KnotsLanding for that matter…Hell..update PeytonPlace and throw that back on the screens. I guarantee you people will jump on that bandwagon to at least see how it goes.
Don’t like GH so I know I won’t be watching. Violence is the last thing I want to watch.
It helpss that ComcastNBCUNIversal OWNS Telemundo so its easier to translate them to NBC/USA
I think the shows will be geared to the ever increasing Latino market. Apparently Latinos watch daytime soaps in significant numbers. I’m not interested.
I don’t think so. Otherwise why translate the telenovelas to the English audience in the first place.
Many Latinos are bilingual, especially second and third generation. TV programs are developed for minorities too and they are in English.
Rapids, I am living her In Africa, (thanks, don’t need your condolences), and telemundo is a big hit, granted these dumbass people are entertained by anything that comes on from the west. What pisses me of is how the cheap non-professional voice over actors are so stupid and can’t act or lend their voice in a way that would make them the professionals they claim to be.. i.e. Margret on Precious Rose, an overacting wannabe actress, Lola Volcan’s voice over actress, with their overacting squeak voice. Hate them all… My wife watches them until I come in and change the channel… Especially hate the way they use the complete name when addressing each other… i.e. Lola Sanchez Martinez Gonzales Volcan your are a bitch,,,, Don’t call me that Andrea Sanchez Martinez Gonzalez Suarez.. It makes the Latino community sick..
i would love this because i was introduced to telenovelas in 2009 by ny former patient. i loved them alot i loved gata savaje innnocente de ti, and another i forgot the name but it starred eduardo yanez adela noreaga. and the one mariana de la noches. i love the actors helena rojo and ceasar i forgot his last name,laura flores pablo montero omg too many to name. oh ninal conde. so yeah im all for it bring it on.
oops i think i misunerstood the concept. i thought they were bringing telenovelas to primetime and translating them into english. with the original actors . oops. oh well i love telenovelas and i wish i get get them in english
Personally, it freakin’ annoys me that something like this is considered, but no one could breathe honest life back into ALL MY CHILDREN or One Life to Live – instead they became butchered and not even salvaged at the hands of brainless, witless, clueless PROSPECT PARK ~ cannot stress enough how badly they mismanaged absolutely everything and BLAMED every one else.
I realize that it is highly unlikely that these two iconic soaps will ever see the light of day again thanks to the combined mishandling of ABC-TV and Prospect Park whom I sincerely hope never come anywhere near a soap again – and no, I’m not sitting around hoping for a miracle – it just totally annoys me that to this day, Prospect Park has not offered any kind of explanation, no apology whatsoever to long time fans, many of whom watched the shows for 40+ years – NOTHING – just declare bankruptcy and the heck with the actors, crew and Fans – I am sorry but I really think it’s despicable.
How the heck do i watch el senor de los cielos in english im going crazy trying to do this please someone help