News
OLTL's Hillary B. Smith comments that things are "up in the air" about continuing with series online!
Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy Award winning actress, Hillary B. Smith (Nora Buchanan) spoke with TheatreMania about her new play, Any Given Monday which begins performances this Thursday in New York City, and her time with One Life to Live. Hillary also revealed where she stands with continuing with One Life when it moves online in January. Here are a few excerpts from the interview below.
Hillary on when OLTL goes off the air on ABC in January, what is the likelihood that she will continue with the show when it moves online via Prospect Park: “I can say that Nora and Bo (played by Robert S. Woods) will be leaving together when we stop taping on ABC, and that makes me very happy. As for the online venture, I am very excited that the show’s fans will have another venue, and I am sorry for ABC that they made this decision. But I don’t know what’s in store for me after Thanksgiving, when I stop shooting One Life. Things are up in the air. I am continuing to work on this Internet series,Venice, which shoots in Los Angeles. I would love to do more stage work. And I have to admit it’s both liberating and scary not to know what’s next. Like a lot of actors, I actually love change and love reinventing myself.”
Hillary on playing Nora for 20 years on daytime: “I have to say she has changed a lot in the last 10 years, and too often, she became a device to move the story rather than the character we started with. She’s done a lot of things I wouldn’t have Nora do. Lately, with the story about Destiny having Nora’s son’s baby, I’ve had to play Nora like she’s losing her mind — she’s so stressed out and so desperate and so full of grief that she’s making decisions Nora would never make and that go against her moral fiber. But, as an actor, you have to come up with justifications for what your character does.”
So can you see OLTL without Nora and the talents of Hillary B. Smith? Let us know.
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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‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
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DAYS Stephen Nichols and Co-Stars Walk in Honor of Drake Hogestyn at PanCan PurpleStride LA, ‘I Felt Him With Us’
Brandon Barash Granted Restraining Order Against ‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms
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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
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No, I can’t imagine OLTL without Bo and Nora. I waited a decade for them to be reunited. But I have hated the writing with all this Destiny baby mess and what the writers have done to Matthew. I don’t blame the actors for moving on at all. I wish Hillary the best in all her future projects. She is very talented and OLTL has not appreciated her in years.
I wish that Bobby & Hillary were asked to continue as “Bo & Nora” on-line!
Too bad they will not be going along with P&P but who knows. Maybe that will change in the future. Either way I will be watching 😀
Too bad they will not be going along with P&P but who knows. Maybe that will change in the future. Either way I will be watching 😀
For Llanview to be Llanview as OLTL fans love it and are supportuing it, Bo Buchanan is a critical player as a key member of the Buchanan family dynasty with history and depth. Mr. Robert Woods (aka The Commish, aka “Woodsey” [aside from being the cast ensemble’s most beloved and renowned practical joker] is a highly talented and seasoned veteran displaying great flexibility, and who has been with the show for many years. Hilary B. Smith, as Nora Buchanan, not only is one of Llanview’s finest attorneys (she is one tough lady!), beloved wife and companion to Bo and mother too to Matthew Buchanan, she is also a great sucker for junkfood, burgers and fries, and Bo & Nora are great dancers and rock n’ roll fans, also having brought to the show some of its finest moments ever with tremendous humanity and love. They and their partying and dancing prowess have brought people like Little Richard and Snoop Dog into Llanview with great style (and ratings!) time and time again. Bo & Nora are one of soap operas’ greatest couples ever, certainly in that fictional suburb we have come to know and love as Llanview, Pennsylvania. Prospect Park is toooooooooooooooooo smart to not do the right thing…IF Llanview can BE Llanview, and granted that is still an IF but overall there are tremendous signs of hope, then there will be an international blockbuster success and riches aplenty for those who were smart enough to have banked on it, as one brilliant savvy and well founded investment. Hire them on PP and millions of us will do the Happy Dance for you: Just Name The Location!:.))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Losing Bo and Nora would be a huge blow to OLTL as I believe they have always been the stable couple, even through their ups and downs and the heart of the show. I am hoping that both Hillary and Bob take a chance with the online format as I have a feeling its going to be great and attract new viewers from around the world.
I hope that both are offered contracts to stay with the show, and that we see a return to the real “Nora & Bo” storylines
I don’t think there performance will make a big impact, they kind fizz out and in. I like the actors, but I don’t think it will make a big difference without them.
I agree. I think the show will have to feature the “next” generation. I see it being about Viki’s kids, and the Mannings. It appears that Destiny will still be on, otherwise they would not have asked Sean. I can see Bo and Nora leaving Llanview. I don’t want that to happen, but if the show has to be downsized, so be it. I need to see Viki, Jess and Nat, Todd Tea and Blair. It could still feel like OLTL without them. It would not be OLTL without a Todd Manning.
Not everyone watches the show for Todd. This Todd stuff has gotten old fast. Im sick of the silly Buke twins. I love my Buchanan men and Cramer women. When Bo and Nora leave so will Matthew and with them Asa’s legacy. Kevin is gone. Dorian and her children are all gone. The show will be all Lords. Bo and Nora are certainly the heart of the show as someone said, even when they were apart. Losing Bo’s family will be a huge blow. I am in my 30’s and I watch for the core characters and families. I don’t care about the younger characters nearly as much, especially Todd and company and Jolie.
bo & nora are major staples in landview – what are these people smoking????
i remember when the buchanans came to landview – i can’t imagine not seeing bo & nora………………..smh
The problem is Nora needs her arch nemesis in the picture….. Please bring back Cathryn Hickland!!! Nora is at her best, when she and Lindsay are going at it, toe to toe. I hope that PP makes that happen. I love Bo & Nora, and the show wouldn’t be the same without them, but let’s face it, Nora hasn’t been the same since Lindsay has been out of the picture.
As a matter of fact, wouldn’t it be something if Matthew got better, Lindsay was released from prison and found out that he was responsible for the Eddie Ford’s murder and she got even with Nora…..I mean after all, Nora went after Lindsay so hard, when she faked her nervous breakdown to avoid prison, so it would be karma coming back and biting Nora in the butt….It would be so juicy to watch unfold.
I would hate to see Robert S. Woods and Hillary B. Smith not on OLTL when it moves to online in January. They are both talented actors who give amazing performances. I hope PP is listening and offer these two intergal characters and actors a contract.
No Bo and Nora ??
If not on OLTL on line….then maybe something else.
Hillary and Robert have such a wonderful acting partnership…..it would be a shame not to see them together in anything…..God I’d watch them in commercials.
I cannot imagine OLTL without Bo & Nora. I hope both Hilary & Robert take some time to think about the move to Prospect Park and seriously consider maybe even making some appearances if that is possible. We have seen Bo throughout the Todd storyline, but sure missing Nora…plus Matthew needs to recover and return to his family .
If that is not possible, then good luck to all three of them and hopefully we will see them again with whatever the future may hold for them..primetime?
well, she really didnt say she wanted to continue or not continue did she? grrr! lol.
I for one absolutely love Bo and Nora and really think that they need to continue with OLTL when it goes on TOLN.com with PP. I want to see them with their grandchild, I want Matthew to be ok and be with Desitiny, I want them all on OLTL when it goes to the net 🙂
I CAN’T SEE MYSELF WATCHING 1L2LIVE ONLINE IF HILLARY B. SMITH IS NOT ON THERE… I LOVE TO WATCH IT WHEN I SEE NORA AND BO ON THERE 2GETHER… THEY ARE THE BEST COUPLE ON THERE THAT MAKES THE SHOW… YOU ALL NEED TO DO WHAT YOU CAN TO MAKE SURE HILLARY B. SMITH COMES 2… SHE IS A GREAT ACTRESS…
To tell the truth I’m only interested in seeing if Florencia Lozano or either Roger Howarth or Trevor St. John will be with the online version I’m happy enough with the people they have signed so far.
Bo has to stay! As much as I love Nora I could do without her but NOT BO! OLTL is the best show on tv right now. I wish ABC had not cancelled it. I love the flexibility of watching on tv at work during my lunch hour, recording it on a vcr at work or dvr at home, watching at night in bed on Soapnet, or online the next morning if necessary. So many choices. I hope all this works out in January.
She has time to fly off and do Venice, but doesn’t know if she’ll stick around to do OLTL? I am so over it!! I know that all of these stars have the right to go on and do whatever they feel is in their best interests, but to be honest with you, I’m getting tired of feeling like I’m begging for my faves to stay on and be a part of the show that the fans help save. It’s totally about my own selfish desires, but geez, sometimes I fell I would be better off not knowing until we get a complete list of all the people who are going to stay on, and all of those who want to go on to something else. Just when we get good news about Ron, Melissa, Jerry and all the others that plan on staying, we hear that some of our other favorites aren’t so sure. This is a rollercoaster ride that I’m getting tired of. Hurry up PP and let us know more details! LOL
It doesn’t feel like AMC is coming together as well though….the AMC camp has been very tight-lipped and quiet about what’s going on, which concerns me….but anyway, if Hilary decides to go in another direction, I wish her the best, but I hope that she reconsiders. I have never seen fans fight for their shows so hard, as with AMC & OLTL, so I hope the talent considers that in their decision on whether or not the choose to live another life in LLanview…..
Maybe I missed it, but I don’t see anything in the article to indicate she has even been asked to stay on, or that not knowing whether she’ll be doing the online version is her choice. I don’t see anything there about having gotten an offer and now she’s considering it. All I see is that she doesn’t know what the future holds.
If the characters of Bo and Nora will be leaving Llanview together when the show ends on ABC, it sounds to me as though Prospect Park has decided not to keep the characters/actors around.
I think it’s pretty clear they’re going to have to cut some people. Maybe they’ve decided Bo and Nora are expendable.
I can think of so many other characters I would prefer to see leave Llanview, frankly.
They need to try and keep OUR favorites, lets just hope for the best.
I heard a rumor that Bob Woods wants to go into semi retirement after the ABC finale. Most likely, Kris Alderson and Eddie Alderson will not be coming back due to their family’s move to LA, so Starr and Matthew would have to be recast…Without Bo, Nora would be kind of…lost…in Llanview. I hope that they decide to stay on as recurring if they do not sign contracts.
I heard that Bob Woods wants to go into semi retirement after the ABC finale. Most likely, Kris Alderson and Eddie Alderson will not be coming back due to their family’s move to LA, so Starr and Matthew would have to be recast…Without Bo, Nora would be kind of…lost…in Llanview. I hope that they decide to stay on as recurring if they do not sign contracts.
One of my biggest OLTL prayers has just been answered…..They are bringing back Lindsey Rappaport!!!! Happy days are here again! Finally, TPTB are listening to some of the fans prayers….LOL Now, just bring back Trevor & Robin, and I’ll be a happy camper. Looks like Nora will get some much needed attention….being that Lindsey’s on her way back into town.
I don’t want to lose Nora. OLTL will be diminished without her. Smith is so good. She makes what she does look so easy that I don’t think she has been recognized recently for her incredible work regarding her son as a murderer and his subsequent injury. It doesn’t get any better in soap land than Nora and Lindsey or Nora and Bo.