General Hospital
New Primetime Soaps: Nashville and Red Widow Series Trailers Revealed at the ABC Upfronts!
Courtesy/ABC
Today it became official with the announcement at the ABC Upfront Presentations in New York which shows made into the network’s fall-lineup. As we have previously reported, Nashville starring Connie Britton, Hayden Panettiere and Jonathan Jackson is a go as is the mob “soap opera-esque” series, Red Widow.
ABC debuted the series trailers, so we finally have something tangible to view along with all the hype. And you can watch them after the jump! But before you do, here is the series info on Nashville: Chart-topping Rayna James (Connie Britton) is a country legend who’s had a career any singer would envy, though lately her popularity is starting to wane. Fans still line up to get her autograph, but she’s not packing the arenas like she used to. Rayna’s record label thinks a concert tour, opening for up-and-comer Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere), the young and sexy future of country music, is just what Rayna needs. But scheming Juliette can’t wait to steal Rayna’s spotlight. Sharing a stage with that disrespectful, untalented, little vixen is the last thing Rayna wants to do, which sets up a power struggle for popularity. Could the undiscovered songwriting talent of Scarlett O’Connor (Clare Bowen) be the key to helping Rayna resurrect her career? Complicating matters, Rayna’s wealthy but estranged father, Lamar Hampton (Powers Boothe), is a powerful force in business, Tennessee politics, and the lives of his two grown daughters. His drive for power results in a scheme to back Rayna’s handsome husband, Teddy, in a run for Mayor of Nashville, against Rayna’s wishes.
Courtesy/ABC
Nashville stars Connie Britton (“Friday Night Lights,” “American Horror Story”) as Rayna, Hayden Panettiere (“Heroes”) as Juliette, Powers Boothe (“MacGruber,” “24”) as Lamar, Charles Esten (“Enlightened,” “Big Love”) as Deacon, Eric Close (“Chaos,” “Without a Trace”) as Teddy, Clare Bowen as Scarlett, Jonathan Jackson (“General Hospital”) as Avery, Sam Palladio as Gunnar and Robert Wisdom as Coleman. Nashville was written by Callie Khouri (“Thelma & Louise”) who is an executive producer along with R.J. Cutler (“The September Issue,” “The War Room,” “Flip That House,” “A Perfect Candidate”) and Steve Buchanan. The pilot for “Nashville” was directed by R.J. Cutler. The series is produced by Lionsgate, ABC Studios and Gaylord Entertainment.
Here is the series info for Red Widow: When Marta Walraven’s (Radha Mitchell) husband is brutally murdered, her first instinct is to protect her three young children. Her husband’s business partners – Irwin Petrova (Wil Traval), Marta’s scheming and untrustworthy brother, and Mike Tomlin (Lee Tergesen) — were involved in an illegal drug business deal with rival gangsters, and Marta’s husband paid the ultimate price. She already knows the violent world of organized crime; her father, Andrei Petrova (Rade Sherbedzija), and loyal bodyguard Luther (Luke Goss) are gangsters too. She and her sister Kat (Jaime Ray Newman) had always wished for a safer life without bloodshed and fear. For a while Marta lived happily as a stay at home housewife in San Marta’s cooperation, FBI Agent James Ramos (Mido Hamada) now promises justice. Marta discovers a tenacity she never knew she had, and takes on the gangsters and the FBI to unveil the truth about her husband’s death. As she digs into this dark underworld, she’ll test her own strength, relying on her resourcefulness, determination and family ties like never before. To get out of this mob, she needs to beat the bad guys at their own deadly game.
Courtesy/ABC
Red Widow stars Radha Mitchell (“Melinda and Melinda,” “Silent Hill,” “Rogue,” “Henry Poll Is Here,” “The Children of Huang Shi,” “The Waiting City”) as Marta Walraven, Wil Traval (“Rescue Special Ops,” “Underbelly,” “All Saints”) as Irwin Petrova, Erin Moriarty (“One Life to Live”) as Natalie Walraven, Sterling Beaumon (“Arthur Newman, Golf Pro, “Clue”) as Gabriel Walraven, Lee Tergesen (“Army Wives”) as Mike Tomlin, Jakob Salvati as Boris Walraven, Mido Hamada as FBI Agent James Ramos, Luke Goss as Luther, Jaime Ray Newman (“Drop Dead Diva”) as Kat Petrova, Suleka Mathew (“Hawthorne”) as Dina Tomlin and Rade Serbedzija (“24”) as Andrei Petrova.
The only soap I’m interested in is OLTL, but being that ABC can’t seem to pull their heads out of their asses, it doesn’t look like I’ll be seeing it anytime soon. The whole Nashville thing sounds like ABC is trying to cash in with the whole thing that NBC is doing with Smash….I’ll pass.
AMEN Torrey! OLTL was the best soap ever. Personally ABC can stick their entire network up their ass- I am done.
I agree with Torrey…………………OLTL is the only soap I am interested in also….But they will never bring it back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Because they are such idiots & cancelled the best soap ever………………………..
Torrey, Michael, and Susan m, I agree with all of you.
If ABC wants me to view any program other than “General Hospital”, they better get working on a re-vamped “One Life To Live” !!!
Hey Brian, that’s how I feel to because I can go till the ends of time and never watch abc/disney again except to watch general hospital.
Not nearly as excited about theses shows as I was about Marc Cherry’s offering. I’ll have to wait and see the product in full before I make a final decision.
I’m very disappointed that Devious Maid got turned down. I was really hoping in seeing La Lucci. I think there must be some grudge between ABC and Marc Cherry and this is why the show wasn’t picked up.
I’m really not interested in Nashville. Jonathan Jackson belongs on GH, not on Nashville. I cannot believe that he’s wasting his time on primetime when GH is waiting for him. He should be happy that his daytime soap opera is still around when AMC and OLTL are now things of the past.
There is no way I will watch this or any other soap abc/disney thinks it can cram down my throat I don’t care who is going to be in it. I suggest that abc put back the soaps they killed in the daytime and stop trying to put the daytime soap stars on there so called prime time soaps, it doesn’t matter to me I will stick with my boycott and I am not alone in my cancelling out of abc/disney from my life.
The only ABC show I will ever be interested in is GH. Unless they bring back OLTL.
Heather, I think the “grudge” ABC has against Marc Cherry is likely because of the lawsuit brought on by Nicolette Sheridan from Desperate Housewives. I’m sure ABC wasn’t happy about the negative publicity and possible financial loss due to Mr. Cherry’s actions, proven or not.
MBmomof3, You could be right about abc and Marc cherry. I guess there will be another trial, Its not over yet.
I am not and never will be interested in any new programs that will be on ABC! I’m insulted by these attempts to win back soap fans with these so-called “primetime soaps”. General Hospital is the only program I will watch on this network unless and until AMC and OLTL are brought back in some form.
That,s what I say. Anyway abc/disney likes to tease you with a show then cancel it, Or do what they did with brothers and sisters, They could have left it alone, Or put it on earlier It was a good family show. I am also not happy that they canceled boston legal and v, I could think of a few more, I will never watch any of their programs either,When they killed my soaps they lost me as a viewer and I,m never coming back.
As someone who gravitates toward serialized story telling, I don’t either one of these shows looks like it will last more than a half dozen episodes. Based solely on these trailers, NASHVILLE looks like a mess of cliches about a middle-aged woman fighting to retain her place in a world that idolizes youth while RED WIDOW just looks all kinds of pretentious and boring.
I think ABC screwed up (again) by not picking up the Marc Cherry DEVIOUS MAIDS series, but then cancelling OLTL instead of GH shows that they aren’t the best in the decision making department…
I will never watch these crappy shows……………….These are suppose to heal our wounds for abc cancelling OLTL……..NO WAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
won’t be watching either show… not into country stuff and if I wanted to watch a soap-esque mob show, I’d watch… oh, what’s that show called?;-b oh yeah, the sonny & jason mob show.
I’d much rather watch Hayden Panettiere on One Life to Live! She was so cute… maybe Todd’s niece should stop in Port Chuck!
Any shows starring Connie Britton and Radha Mitchell, I’m in. I just hope it doesn’t disappoint.
General Hospital
Adam Huss Makes Another Return to General Hospital as Nikolas Cassadine
Nikolas Cassadine will be back on your screens next week but now via Pentonville. That means, that actor Adam Huss is back for a visit for all-new episodes of General Hospital.
In story, Ava (Maura West) comes to visit her ex in the slammer. So, just what does Ava want now? She clearly has been working an agenda on Sonny (Maurice Benard). Is she working with Valentin (James Patrick Stuart)? What will she tell Nikiolas? stay tuned.
Meanwhile, once news of Huss’ return broke earlier on Friday via Soap Opera Digest, he also announced his return on his Instagram expressing, “For all those who’ve been asking, cat’s out of the bag;) Thank you to all my #Nikolas #GH fans for your unwavering support. I don’t take it for granted for a second! (Even when I can’t answer 😊) #generalhospital”
Photo: ABC
Huss took over the role of Nikolas back in January of 2023, after Marcus Coloma left the soap opera. Previous to that, Huss filed in for Coloma in September of 2021 and November of 2022. Fast-forward to January of 2024, Nikolas gave Ace to Laura and Kevin to raise, while he eventually turned himself into the police for kidnapping Esme and keeping her hostage while she was pregnant and Wyndemere.
Photo: ABC
The return of Huss comes on the heels of multiple reports that his on-screen son, Nicholas Chavez is not returning to the show as Spencer Cassadine, while in story Spencer is believed to have drowned int the Seine River after falling off a boat in France, when drugged by Esme.
So, looking forward to seeing Adam Huss back as Nikolas? Do you think GH will eventually have him more full-time? Comment below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny and Jason Trade Threats on Each Other
The love affair that once was mobster Sonny (Maurice Benard) and hit man Jason (Steve Burton), and having each others back, is now apparently over! On the Thursday April 25th episode of General Hospital, an increasingly paranoid Sonny is confronted by Jason.
Jason wants to talk to Sonny about a “family matter”, but Sonny says they aren’t family now because he’s working with the Feds. Sonny goes on to say how he cannot trust Carly (Laura Wright) or Jason and he knows about Jason buying back the Metro Court for Carly from Nina (Cynthia Watros).
When the conversation turns to Josslyn (Eden McCoy) and Dex (Evan Hofer), Jason informs Sonny that Kristina (Kate Mansi) knows Sonny ordered a hit. Jason is worried about Dex’s safety. He tells Sonny that if he does something to Dex, Kristina will figure out that he is responsible.
Courtesy/ABC
Sonny goes on to say how much he loves his kids and how he will protect them. He then tears into Jason for abandoning his sons, Danny and Jake, for two years and how he has no right to stand there to tell him what to do.
Jason warns Sonny again to leave Dex alone or he’ll personally stop him. Sonny snaps at Jason, countering, “You’ll die trying!” And at that point, Jason walks out and Sonny slams the door behind him.
What do you think about this split in the longstanding relationship of Jason and Sonny? Do you like Jason and Sonny at odds? Will Kristina be the person to ultimately figure out what is happening to Sonny, or it might it be Nina, who knows Ava (Maura West) is up to no good? Share your thoughts in the comment section, but first watch this clip from part of the Sonny/Jason scenes below.
Breaking News
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
For those who were holding out hope that Daytime Emmy winner and fan favorite, Nicholas Chavez would be returning to General Hospital after filming his leading role in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology, it looks like those hopes have been dashed.
According to a report from TV Line, although unconfirmed from General Hospital or a representative for Chavez, the actor will not reprise his role as Spencer Cassadine on the long-running ABC soap opera and continue the love story of Sprina opposite Tabyana Ali (Trina, GH).
Chavez was cast as Lyle Menendez over the the summer of 2023 for the second season of Murphy’s limited Monsters series on Netflix. In the upcoming season, the series will focus on the the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the two well-to-do Beverly Hills brothers accused of murdering their parents in 1989.
Photo: ABC
After word from Chavez casting was revealed, GH fans were concerned over the fate of the Sprina story, a spokesperson for GH shared, “We support Nicholas’ endeavors and look forward to having him return to General Hospital once this project is wrapped.”
In story, the series “killed off” Spencer when he went overboard with Esme to the steely waters below after being injected with a drug, thanks to Esme and falling into the Seine River in France. However, his body was never recovered, and believed to have drowned or washed away. Thus, leaving an opening for Spencer to return in the form of Chavez or be recast down the line.
Photo: ABC
TV Line shared that ‘multiple sources’ are confirming that Chavez is not returning to the ABC soap opera, which is what many had suspected might be the case once he left for this major starring role in a Ryan Murphy project. Chavez has been relatively quiet on social media for months.
Photo: ABC
The Michael Fairman Channel spoke with Nicholas Chavez for a virtual interview when he first joined the show in 2021, and spoke to him right after when he won the Daytime Emmy in 2022 – you can see those below.
No word yet on when Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story will debut on Netflix, but it is assumed later this year.
So, what do you think about the news of Nicholas Chavez not returning to his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital? Comment below.
Adam Huss Makes Another Return to General Hospital as Nikolas Cassadine
Arianne Zucker Reveals Her Last Days of our Lives Airdate
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny and Jason Trade Threats on Each Other
Y&R’s Allison Lanier Lands Her First Daytime Emmy Nomination and Shares “Being a Recast Can Be Daunting”
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
The Young and the Restless and General Hospital Actress and Writer, Meg Bennett, Passes Away at 75
GH’s Finola Hughes Chats on Her Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nomination, New Directions for Characters in Port Charles, and Anna’s Love Life
Kristian Alfonso Returns to Days of our Lives for Tribute to The Late Bill Hayes
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny and Jason Trade Threats on Each Other
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
Cameron Mathison Previews New Game Show ‘Beat The Bridge’ (Promo)
Y&R’s Michelle Stafford Talks on Her Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nomination, Allison Lanier, and ‘Pacific Palisades’ with Finola Hughes
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina Confronts Ava for Sabotaging Her Relationship With Sonny and Signs the Divorce Papers
-
General HospitalApril 21, 2024‘Knots Landing’s’ Donna Mills and Joan Van Ark Reunite for Los Angeles Ballet Season 18 Gala
-
NewsApril 20, 2024The Young and the Restless Preview: Ashley’s New Alter Emerges
-
Days Of Our LivesApril 19, 2024Stephen Schnetzer Talks On His Return to Days of our Lives and Working with Susan Seaforth Hayes In Emotional Episodes
-
General HospitalApril 22, 2024Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital
-
Days Of Our LivesApril 17, 2024DAYS Alum Tanner Stine to Appear in ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ Starring Nicholas Chavez
-
Breaking NewsApril 17, 202451st Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Set to Be Announced