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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.
This summer beginning on July 21, Netflix streams the return of WWE: Unreal for its third season. The behind the scenes docudrama series gives fans a glimpse of life in WWE and inside the writers room, as injuries, last-minute pivots, and career-defining decisions reshape WWE’s biggest event of the year, WrestleMania 42.
WWE Unreal is taking fans deeper than ever inside World Wrestling Entertainment’s creative process, The hit docuseries will once again pull back the curtain on some of the biggest moments, boldest decisions, and unforgettable storytelling with some of the WWE’s greatest legends who’ve shaped the industry and new stars who are emerging as prominent parts of the future.
In the new season of ‘Unreal’ which consists of 5 episodes at 50 minutes each: John Cena says goodbye, a fan favorite returns, and the next generation of Superstars rise to the occasion.
Photo: WWE
The cast and WWE superstars featured include: the aforementioned Cena, plus Cody Rhodes, Liv Morgan, CM Punk, AJ Lee, Trick Williams, Lash Legend, Stephanie Vaquer, Oba Femi, Bron Breakker, Chelsea Green, Matt Cardona, Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.
As previously reported AJ Lee revealed on General Hospital star Maurice Benard’s (Sonny Corinthos) mental health series, State of Mind, that she was part of the cast of WWE: Unreal.
WWE: Unreal production credits include: Directors/Showrunners: Chris Weaver and Erik Powers Executive Producers: Peyton Manning, Jamie Horowitz, Ross Ketover, Keith Cossrow, Ken Rodgers, Jessica Boddy, Lee Fitting, Ben Houser, Marc Pomarico Sr. Producers: Harley Glantz, Brian Decker, Michael Flynn Producers: John Galiani, Dan Gati, Jeremy Lundblad Production Companies: Omaha Productions, NFL Films, Skydance Sports, WWE.
So, what do you think of the loglines for the new season of WWE: Unreal? Who are you most excited to see featured in the behind the scenes drama from the list of WWE superstars and the twists and turns leading into this past April’s WrestleMania 42? Let us know via the comment section below.
If you have ever tuned-in to the soap opera genre over the last 50 years, and witnessed some of the greatest romances, drama, classic and outlandish storylines of all-time, you would have seen Deidre Hall smack dab in the middle of it as longtime Salem heroine, Dr. Marlena Evans.
It was 50 years on this date, June 21, 1976 that Hall first appeared on DAYS on NBC which was its home for 57 years before it moved to its current streaming platform on Peacock in September of 2022.
In Hall’s first episode she was introduced as a psychiatrist treating Mickey Horton (John Clarke) at Bayview Sanitarium after he suffered a complete mental breakdown. Mickey learned that his brother Bill Horton (Edward Mallory) was the biological son of Mike Horton (Wesley Eure) with his wife Laura (Susan Flannery) and that he had been lied to for years and years. From that moment on, the rest is television and soap opera history. Days of Our Lives put Hall front and center.
Photo: NBC
There were so many heartbreaking and shocking story twists involving the beloved Marlena. One of the first was the historic crib death of baby DJ (Don Jr.) in 1980, Marlena’s infant son with Don Craig (Jed Allan). The story had never been told on daytime television and Hall’s performances received accolades from TV critics to fans when Deidre received thousands of letters from grieving mothers who had gone through the same thing in their own lives.
DAYS also brought Deidre’s twin sister, Andrea Hall Lovell to the show as her on-screen sister Samantha, who had a grudge and even locked Marlena up in a sanitarium and took her place! Fast-forward and in 1982, DAYS launched the Salem Strangler story where everyone believed Marlena was his next victim, only it turned out to be Samatha. Jake Kositchek (played by Jack Coleman) was revealed to be the actual serial killer.
Later, Deidre would assume the role of Marlena’s look-alike, Hattie Adams in 2004, once played by her sister, Andrea. Over the years, Hattie has come back to Salem and caused trouble giving Hall a chance to play a different type of character, then the always upstanding Marlena.
Photo: JPI
THE LOVES OF MARLENA
Deidre Hall struck gold with all her leading men: from the late Jed Allan, to Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady, and of course, her enduring love story with the late John Black played by the iconic Drake Hogestyn. In fact, Marlena’s 1986 wedding to John (who was believed to be Roman at the time) remains a favorite of fans to this day.
TOP MARLENA STORYLINES OF ALL-TIME
While the list is long, here are several that were some of the memorable during Deidre’s five decades in Salem!
The Possession (1994- 1995)
Considered one of the most ambiguous, outlandish and unforgettable story arcs in soap opera history, then Days of Our Lives head writer, James Reilly went there! Marlena was possessed by the devil! That included; the demonic eyes, hissing at father John (Black) the priest, morphing into creatures, and the classic levitating in her bed! It became a cultural phenomenon and cemented Deidre Hall’s status as a daytime television legend. Just ask Ryan Gosling!
Photo:JPI
The Affair with John Black (1993)
John and Marlena’s forbidden love could not be denied and they had passionate affair, while she was still married to the real Roman. Problem was her daughter, Sami (Alison Sweeney) caught her mother having sex with John on a desk that changed Sami forever.
The Salem Stalker Mystery (2003-2004)
In a shocker, Marlena was revealed to be a serial killer who bumped off several Salem favorites residents who were all alive on the island of Melaswen (spelled “New Salem” backward). Turns out, she was manipulated and gaslighted by Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) to do the “killings” and had no memory of her actions.
The Pier Scene (1991)
This remains Michael Fairman TV’s all-time favorite Deidre Hall moment, which featured some of the best acting in the storied careers of both Hall and Drake Hogestyn.
In the story, a presumed-dead Marlena returns after four years. One foggy night on the pier, John is alone, and Marlena steps out of the fog to reveal herself, and is reunited with the love of her life. You can watch it any year, any decade, and in any moment, and it will have you reaching for the hankies again and again. (best music score fo a soap scene of all-time too!)
Photo: NBC
Kristen’s Secret Room Reveal (1997)
Marlena was caught in Kristen Blake’s (Eileen Davidson) elaborate web of lies, when she was held hostage in a secret wine cellar/room until John managed to track her down, leading to an iconic on-screen reunion. The classic catfight between Hall and Eileen Davidson was one for the ages.
It should be noted that Maison Blanche, Queen of the Night, Possession, Aremid and Lady in a Cage were all a part of classic DAYS storyline and all featured Hall at the epicenter of it from 1993-1996.
THE RECENT YEARS OF MARLENA
In recent years, DAYS brought back the possession 2.0 storyline under then head writer Ron Carlivati in 2021 where the devil leapt back in Marlena after taking advantage of a frail Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes)
In 2025, viewers watched the end of the love story of John and Marlena, as John succumbed to injuries sustained in an explosion saving a vial of medication needed to bring Bo (Peter Reckell) back to life. Marlena has been a widow on-screen since June of 2025 as Hall as portrayed the good doctor struggling with her grief and to move on with her life since his death.
Photo: JPI
One story that never goes away is Stefano DiMera’s (the late Joe Mascolo) obsession with Marlena, his “Queen of the Night.” Even in death, Stefano is toying with her from the great beyond with the mysterious chess set and the missing “pawn,” that he had gifted John and Marlena in his will. The mystery is currently unfolding on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives.
Tune-in to Days of our Lives on the Monday, June 22 episode as Marlena looks back at her 50 years in Salem.
Share your congratulations to Deidre Hall for this incredible 50-year milestone as Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives in the comment section. Then let us know, what is your all-time favorite storyline or moment in the life of Marlena over the past 5 decades? And, just for kicks, and to celebrate this amazing milestone, here is Marlena levitating below circa Christmas Eve 1994.
General Hospital
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
With the highly-anticipated returns of Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) on this week’s June 24 episode of General Hospital, Steve Burton’s (Jason Morgan) upcoming return on July 13, which also serves as the ABC daytime drama’s 16,000 episode, things are about to fire on all cylinders in the story, as noted today by series star, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos).
On Father’s Day, the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor and mental health activist took to his Instagram and expressed in a video that he has some unbelievable upcoming senes with the aforementioned Burton and Hughes. Add to that Nazneen Contractor (Justine Turner) and Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing), where Benard gave credit where credit is due to the GH writing team, which is led by co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten..
In this video, Benard said, “I just want to get on here and say that I did some work with Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Rick Hearst, Nazneen Contractor, and they’re all just fantastic. Truly fantastic. But, I want to say the writing was just exceptional. It truly was. It was exceptional. So, thankful for that kind of writing. I know writers don’t get the credit a lot, but I just want to say to the General Hospital writing team, keep rolling!”
GENERAL HOSPITAL PREVIEW
So now the question becomes, with a major tease like that, what is about to go down between Sonny, Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric? Will we finally get to the end of the line for Sidwell (Carlo Rota), as previously teased by the GH co-head writers? Will we learn what happened to Jason and Anna, fully? Will Justine and Sonny becomes closer or stop their liaisons? And what of Ric? Will he be true blue to his brother or double-cross him? There is a lot at stake as we move further into the summer and one that looks like it could be one of the more exciting ones in years!
FINOLA HUGHES CONFIRMED AMAZING SCENES WITH MAURICE BENARD
As a punctuation point to his video, Benard also shared this written message in the post: “I just did some wonderful scenes with Steve Burton, Rick Hearst, Finola Hughes and Nazneen Contractor and and unbelievable writing, freaking amazing scenes that you will see in the near future on General Hospital.” In fact, Finola Hughes jumped in the post comment thread and responded, “I loved our scenes so much xxx”
Fans will most likely see all the scenes Benard referred to later in July, since GH tapes approximately six weeks ahead of air.
So, are you excited to see what Maurice is talking about? Are you hyped for what’s to come on GH? Any clue on what you think will go down between the main characters on the soap with the returns of Anna Devane and Jason Morgan to the mix? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Looks Back at 50 Years in Salem
‘WWE: Unreal’ Season 3 Premiere Date, Cast of Superstars, Announced by Netflix
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
Deidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
‘General Hospital’s’ Controversial Luke and Laura Rape Episode: Writer Sheri Anderson Reveals Behind the Scenes Decisions and Admits ‘I Was Wrong’ to Defend It (Exclusive)
‘Days of Our Lives’ Eric Martsolf Recalls Moment He Learned He Was Cast as Brady Black, and Last Scenes with Drake Hogestyn (SOAPY Exclusive Preview)
‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Weighs-In on Dante and Elizabeth Pairing and Sharing Scenes with Rebecca Herbst (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL Promo: Rocco’s in a Panic as Britt’s Health Takes a Turn, Chase is Called to the Carpet
‘WWE: Unreal’ Season 3 Premiere Date, Cast of Superstars, Announced by Netflix
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
Deidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans
Y&R Preview: Matt Clark Asks Phyllis on a Date, Would You Be Down for the Pairing? Roger Howarth & Michelle Previously in GH’s Franco/Nina Romance
‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Reflects on Dante’s Guilt for the ‘Atrocity’ That Happened to Michael Which Kept Everyone From Telling Him the Truth About Rocco (Exclusive)
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General Hospital2 days agoMaurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
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General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Controversial Luke and Laura Rape Episode: Writer Sheri Anderson Reveals Behind the Scenes Decisions and Admits ‘I Was Wrong’ to Defend It (Exclusive)
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Days Of Our Lives1 week ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Eric Martsolf Recalls Moment He Learned He Was Cast as Brady Black, and Last Scenes with Drake Hogestyn (SOAPY Exclusive Preview)
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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.