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OLTL Favorites: James DePaiva, Ilene Kristen and Tonja Walker Added To The Cast Of Tainted Dreams!

By Michael Fairman

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Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photo

Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photo

Three of One Life to Live’s most beloved fan favorites Ilene Kristen, James DePaiva and Tonja Walker have signed on for Tainted Dreams, a new dramedy providing a rare, realistic view behind the scenes of producing a daily scripted drama.

Ilene Kristen, the original “Delia Reid Ryan” on Ryan’s Hope and most recently, her twice Emmy-nominated role as the outrageous “Roxy Balsom” on One Life to Live, will play “Vivian Park,” the estranged mother of soap star, “Liza Park” played by Natalia Livingston. Kristen is also no stranger to the Broadway stage appearing in the original Broadway cast of “Grease.” She is credited on the original 1972 Broadway cast album (along with Adrienne Barbeau as Rizzo and Barry Bostwick as Danny). A talented singer and songwriter, Kristen frequently performs a catalogue of her own original music on the New York City cabaret scene, and she has made numerous guest appearances in primetime and independent films.

Photo Credit:Sue Coflin/Max Photo

James DePaiva, who played sexy, heart-throb “Max Holden” on One Life to Live, will play “Eddy Parish,” an honest, hard-working NYC cop married to a high-profile, powerful network executive. In real life, DePaiva is married to his former co-star, the inimitable Kassie DePaiva (“Blair,” One Life to Live.) James began working at age 15 as a professional musician, a bass player. Eight years later, DePaiva back-burnered his musical career to focus on acting, and he quickly landed a recurring role as a waiter who tried to romance “Holly Scorpio” (Emma Samms) on General Hospital. Not long after his short stint on GH, DePaiva auditioned for the role of “Max Holden,” and for the next 15 years, he was one of daytime’s hottest hunks. After leaving the role of “Max,” he took up directing for both One Life to Live and As the World Turns. In 2006, James directed the suspense thriller Undone starring many of his former One Life to Live cast-mates, including his wife Kassie, Heather Tom, Forbes March, Roy Thinnes, Dan Gauthier and Timothy Stickney.

Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photo

Emmy-nominated Tonja Walker, known for her portrayal of two volatile, dangerous women “Olivia Jerome” on General Hospital and “Alex Olanov” on One Life to Live, is slated to play “Eddy Parish’s” (James DePaiva) domineering sister-in-law, high-powered attorney, “Tina Scott.” Walker has starred in a number of pilots for television, episodic TV and films. She is also an accomplished singer; during her 15 years in Daytime television, Walker made singing tours across the country opening with national recording artists and in her own one-woman show in LA, New York and Las Vegas. Her first venture into production, earned her a Tony nomination for BEST PLAY, as the associate producer of “Enchanted April.” Her production company, TWD Enterprises produces film, literature, television, music and theater that uplifts, entertains and inspires the public. In 2005, Walker successfully produced her first film – The Derby Stallion. Tonja discovered Zac Efron and cast him in his first lead role in film in the award-winning, critically-acclaimed Derby.

Kristen, DePaiva and Walker join Tainted Dreams’ all-star cast which includes Alicia Minshew (All My Children), Terri Ivens (All My Children), Grant Aleksander (Guiding Light), Kelley Menighan Hensley (As the World Turns), Walt Willey (All My Children), Natalia Livingston (General Hospital), Marnie Schulenburg (As the World Turns), Michael Lowry (All My Children), Austin Peck (Days of our Lives), Colleen Zenk (As the World Turns), Larkin Malloy (Edge of Night and All My Children), Dina Manzo (Dina’s Party and Real Housewives of New Jersey), Anthony Wilkinson (My Big Gay Italian Wedding and the new My Big Gay Italian Funeral), Lisa Marie Varon (IMPACT WRESTLING) and “Mr. PEC-Tacular” Jessie Godderz (IMPACT WRESTLING and Big Brother).

Tainted Dreams begins filming next week in and around NYC July 29.  What do you think about the additions of James DePaiva, Ilene Kristen and Tonja Walker to the Tainted Dreams cast list? Comment below!

 

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i think its wonderful..love them all..there great actors.can not wait to see them

It’s fabulous!!! So glad they have acting jobs!!!

I am so excited to see this. Can’t wait. Will it be showing online?

Great to see these OLTL stars again!! I hope each of them can appear some time
in Prospect Park’s LLanview. Hillary B. Smith does One Life and also is in Venice- the series. I think the new OLTL could stand at least a visit ( cameo) from Max, Roxie, and Cutter’s ” mama” Alexis.

Where will Tainted Dreams be broadcast? Is this a movie or series?

I look forward to watching this drama/soap it looks great with many old faces and what seems a perfect story line (death of a soap). I’m really enjoying the reboots of AMC and OLTL which are only getting better since they first premiered, but am very tired of having to fight for them. If Prospect Park is the only company/network that airs them then I say more power to them for being innovative thinkers. The OWN network choose to air repeats (which I get) but are they really surprised at the numbers. I do DVR but do not watch since I have already seen them online, which I love by the way. Here is a piece of Landview reboot trivia, who said “no on watches TV anymore”. Can’t wait Tainted Dreams and will continue to watch reboots online while I can.

I think this is wonderful.

They have a pretty impressive line-up of actors, so I’m going to watch for sure…at least to give it a chance. I never thought I would watch online shows, but since I’ve gotten an iPad, I’ve been watching AMC/OLTL so I’ll just add one more.

I’ve been trying to find out when the shows are scheduled to start airing, but can’t find any info so far. Anyone???

Good for them! But not gonna lie, wish we could get them back on OLTL lol!

Great cast. Who is writing this?

I wondered why James DaPaiva didn’t return to OLTL before it went off of the air. I always liked him and Blair together.

Where can we find this online when it is available?

What channel will it be on? I wish Roxy would come back on OLTL instead!

YAY!!!!!!!

Wishing it were on OLTL, maybe in the future! Sounds like it will be great with all of the talented actors and actresses included in the cast. Best wishes to all of them. Hope OLTL is around long enough for them to come back to it too!

Wonderful! Looking forward to watching ‘Tainted Dreams’!!!!

If we can’t have them on OLTL it’ll be wonderful to see all 3 of ’em back on screen in anything! They made their previous soap opera characters so enjoyable, I’ll be following “Tainted Dreams” as soon as it begins!

I will be watching this show for sure. I love the cast members that they are getting. Maybe TOLN will pick this up too.

Holy cow, what a line-up!

I love it these three are very good actors and I am sure this show will be a hit, cant wait to see it

It’s about time that Ilene gets back on the screen. I know she is a talented broadway and singing star. I miss her witty role as Roxy. Bring it on Ilene. We love you!!!

When can we find out where and when it will start???

For those of you asking Tainted Dreams is a webcast that is created and produced by Sonia Blangiardo. She’s also the supervising producer of PP’s AMC as well as produced directed ABC episodes of GH, AMC and OLTL. It’s a NYC Brand Productions webseries. I think it’s going to air on the Soap Channel.

And James how about dry get to the barrell a James Ok
A James – James have fun jumping around with a barrell a James
In the room a James ok – and James put your head upside with a barrell
A James ok and thank a James ok

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

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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.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’

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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?

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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.

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