Breaking News
Erika Slezak Pays Tribute to ‘One Life to Live’ TV Sister Lynn Benesch Upon Learning of Her Passing
When Erika Slezak joined One Life to Live in 1971 as the third Victoria Lord (following Gillian Spencer and Joanne Dorian), longtime fans of the beloved soap remember that Viki had a younger sister, Meredith, who was played by Lynn Benesch (born Lynn Benish, and who later was also known as Lynn Chester). Benesch was the second actress to take on the part of Meredith Lord following the exit of Trish Van Devere.
Now, Erika has posted a touching remembrance after having recently found out that Lynn Benish Chester had passed away. Obituary records detail that Lynn died back in 2023 at the age of 82. The obit shares, Lynn was the mother to two daughter, Jennie and Annie, and wife of Larry Tucker (who passed away in 2024).
Lynn appeared on One Life to Life from 1969-1973 until Meredith was killed-off when she suffered a massive brain trauma, but before succumbing to her injuries, tells Viki how happy the love of her life, Dr. Larry Wolek (Michael Storm) made her. Benesch appeared one more time in 1987 when Viki traveled to heaven and saw her sister. Throughout her career, Lynn also appeared on other soap operas including: General Hospital, The Doctors, and The Young and the Restless.

Courtesy/ErikaSlezak.com/ABC
In q heartfelt post on her website on January 19, 2026, Erika expressed, “I recently learned that Lynn Benish, who portrayed my sister Meredith on One Life to Live, has passed away. After she left California, Lynn and I had lost touch. Lynn was incredibly supportive during my early days on the show, providing invaluable help throughout my first year on OLTL. She led me by the hand and told me where everything was and what the schedule was. She and Syd Andrews, our stage manager and Ernie Graves who was Victor, literally walked me through that first day. Lynn’s kindness will always be remembered. May she rest in peace.”
It’s pretty incredible to hear those words from the six-time Daytime Emmy winning legend, and for those of us who watched One Life to Live from the very beginning and who remember the relationship between Viki and Meredith.
When Erika mentions Ernest Graves, he was the first Victor Lord of One Life from 1968-1974, and at that time the character was not the monster he later became when the writers wrote into the story of Viki’s sexual abuse by her father as a young child; which caused her to split into multiple personalities: Tori, Tommy, Jean, Princess, Niki, and Victor.
Share your remembrances of Lynn Benesch as she was known during her run on One Life to Live as Viki’s sister’s Meredith Lord via the comment section below, and your reaction to Erika Slezak’s sentiments on her former co-star.
Lynn was great as Meredith as was Ernest Graves as Victor, hated what they did with the character later. Both he and later Shepard Strudwick played Victor as a difficult man but one who was devoted to his daughters.
I am very sorry to hear this news. I most definitely remember Lynn as Meredith Lord Wolek. Lynn played Meredith longer than the originator of the role. I was very sorry when they killed off the character. It bothered me that in later years, Meredith was completely forgotten. Meredith was a much better sister to Viki than perpetual trouble maker Tina.
May Lynn Benesch rest in peace.
My watching of OLTL was kind of akin to being a fair weather fan. I loved OLTL but could not afford the time it took to juggle AMC, ( my first soap)OLTL and GH. It was embarrassment of riches back in the day. But my spotty watching of OLTL afforded me the pleasure of watching the brilliant Erika Slezak interact with the incredibly talented and charismatic May Lynn. She was so good that she had the ability to piss me off on behalf of Vicki.
I always liked watching Lynn as Meredith. I probably didn’t see Trish Can Devere as I started watching OLTL in 1970.
I remember her scenes with Dr Joyce Brothers, in the hospital. I believe Meredith was experiencing postpartum depression and Dr Brothers was helping her through it.
Didn’t Larry call her Mery?
I always thought it was unfortunate that Meredith was killed off so early in the show’s run. She could have had terrific storylines.
R.I.P. That is THE Meredith I remember. First time I was devastated when a soap character was killed off.
I’m shocked that the soap world is just now learning of Lynn’s passing. I always thought she deserved a larger television presence after leaving One Life to Live. Had I known of her turns on The Young and the Restless and General Hospital, I may have tuned in. Her seven episodes on The Doctors can be viewed on the free streaming service, It’s Real Good TV, which hosts episodes from December 1967 to September 1980. Lynn’s episodes were in 1968.
It was unfortunate that Lynn’s swan song of episodes had to play out during the regular disruption of the Senate Watergate Hearings.I also always thought Agnes Nixon erred in killing Meredith off (and Jenny on All My Children too) because there ought to have been so much more to their stories. In both cases, it had an unfortunate effect of neutering Larry’s character (and Greg’s). Larry perhaps got better treatment than Greg, but still, there was really nowhere to go without their true loves.
Breaking News
‘Days of Our Lives’ Officially Confirms Ryan Quan Returning as Co-Head Writer Beginning in July
There is definitely a shake-up going down at the writing team at Peacock’s Days of Our Lives. Now, the long-running soap opera has confirmed, what has been previously reported, that current General Hospital breakdown writer, Ryan Quan is heading back to his old stomping grounds in Salem. This time as the series co-head writer.
The appointment of Quan comes with the official news that current co-head writer, Paula Cwikly, who was previously rumored to be departing the series, is not. She is staying with the soap opera and transitioning to a consultant role with the show. Now, Quan will join current co-head writer, Jeanne Marie Ford to steer the ship for the characters on the canvas.
On Wednesday, TV Insider, reported the official confirmation and that Quan will return to DAYS next month in July. In a statement to the outlet, executive producer, Ken Corday expressed, ‘We are lucky to have Ryan back in the fold. There are very few people who have such a deep knowledge and understanding of our show’s history. Stay tuned!”

Photo: JPI
THE FUTURE OF DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Since Days of our Lives unusual production schedule tapes ten-months ahead of air, the new creative team’s vision led by Quan and Jeanne Marie Ford are not expected to stream on Peacock until mid-2027.
Days of Our Lives is currently renewed through its 63rd season. The former NBC soap opera which transitioned to Peacock in September of 2022, celebrate its 60th anniversary in November of 2025.
The writing regime change comes after NBCUniversal Media Chairman Matt Strauss revealed that Peacock is expected to turn a profit for the first time in the current quarter, punctuating their investment with the enduring soap opera on its platform.
As for Quan, his knowledge of Salem is tremendous. Ryan joined Days of Our Lives as a writer’s assistant in 2007 after some time over at Passions. He then spent two decades and held every position on the writing team where he previously served as co-head writer from 2016-17 alongside Dena Higley.
Later, when Ron Carlivati took over as head writer for 7 years in 2017, Quan became his right-hand man and main story consultant for his deep knowledge of the history and the legacy of the show. After Carlivati exited the show in 2024, General Hospital hired Quan in 2025.
So, what do you think about DAYS making it official with Ryan Quan as the new co-head writer of the series alongside Jeanne Marie Ford. What do you think about the fact we won’t see the changes on-screen till 2027? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Breaking News
ABC Announces ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Texas Spin-Off Gets Straight-to-Series Order
In a surprise move, coming a week after ABC unveiled its 2026-2027 fall television schedule, Grey’s Anatomy is getting a new spinoff co-created by the original series’ creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes.
The new untitled medical drama will be written and executive produced by Rhimes and Grey’s Anatomy showrunner/executive producer Meg Marinis under the Shondaland and 20th Television umbrella. In addition, long-running ‘Grey’s’ star Ellen Pompeo will also serve as an EP of the spinoff.
The upcoming new series will debut midseason in 2027. This will be the first of Grey’s franchise not set in urban city or West Coast locale. According to Deadline, the new “edgy drama is about a team at a rural West Texas medical center — the last chance for care before miles of nowhere.”

Photo: ABC
In a statement, Marinis shared, “I am incredibly excited to expand the Grey’s Anatomy universe. This opportunity will bring new characters and stories to life that will embody the same heart, emotion and connection audiences have loved from Grey’s for more than two decades — all set in my home state of Texas. I am so grateful to Shonda Rhimes for creating this dynamic world and feel so fortunate that I get to be a part of it.”
A NEW GROUP OF DOCTORS IN RURAL TEXAS
The Texas spinoff will feature a a new group of doctors, but there will be some connection to the OG Grey’s Anatomy and possibly to Debbie Allen’s character of Catherine Fox. The amount of episodes in the series order has not yet been determined. Previous Grey’s Anatomy spinoffs were the defunct Station 19 and Private Practice.
Previously, Grey’s Anatomy was renewed for its upcoming 23rd season while the amount of episodes is unclear. The last two seasons the series produced 18 episodes.
It should also be noted, Grey’s Anatomy and the Texas spinoff would likely share a time period, which requires limited-run orders for both with Grey’s premiering in the fall, followed by the spinoff on the midseason programming block.
So, what do you think about a Texas spinoff of Grey’s Anatomy coming in 2027? Who would you like to see from daytime or primetime as some of the featured roles as new doctors? Put on your casting directors hat and let us know via the comment section below.
Breaking News
‘Santa Barbara’ Alums A Martinez and Marcy Walker: In Conversation; Two-Hour Livestream Event with the Iconic Cruz and Eden Announced
Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 7. That’s when Daytime Emmy winners, A Martinez and Marcy Walker, also known as beloved Santa Barbara supercouple, Cruz and Eden, will participate in a global two-hour streaming event where they will be in conversation together for the first time in years.
The last time A and Marcy appeared publicly together was back in August of 2024, when both stars were in attendance at the 40th anniversary of Santa Barbara. Now, host Melissa Braverman, who has also penned the upcoming book, Santa Barbara: The Complete Story, will moderate this special event beginning at 4pm ET/1pm PT.
Fans around the world who continue to celebrate the enduring legacy of Santa Barbara will be able to watch Braverman lead an intimate discussion with the actors and go behind the iconic characters of Cruz Castillo and Eden Capwell.

Photo: JPI
In a statement, Braverman shared, “A Martinez and Marcy Walker didn’t just play a couple. They created a cultural phenomenon that resonated across continents. This event is a rare opportunity for fans to hear directly from A and Marcy about their chemistry, their favorite storylines, and the lasting impact of the show’s unique storytelling.”
She added, “A and Marcy’s partnership as Cruz and Eden was unforgettable. Bringing them together for a dedicated conversation about their SB journey is a true event, and a testament to their enduring appeal and the sheer popularity of the characters they created.”
The exclusive event will feature: a moderated discussion exploring the actors’ favorite memories from the Santa Barbara set. Behind-the-scenes insights into the show’s most famous location shoots and dramatic arcs, and a Q&A session where ticket holders can submit questions in advance to the stars.
Martinez, currently starring in AMC’s hit series Dark Winds is known for his multi-decade TV and film career. He won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in 1990 for his portrayal of Cruz. In the soaps, A has also appeared on General Hospital, One Life to Live, Days of Our Lives and The Bay. Walker, whose unforgettable daytime run began as Liza Colby on All My Children before her definitive turn on Santa Barbara, took home the Outstanding Lead Actress honors in 1989 for her work as Eden Capwell.
Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime reunion are $100, and registration is open now. For additional event information, visit Melissa’s author page on Facebook or www.melissabraverman.com.
So, if you are a Santa Barbara fan and one of the unforgettable Cruz and Eden, does this sound like the event for you? Let us know, and share your favorite Santa Barbara moment and storyline of Cruz and Eden’s via the comment section, But first, in case you missed it, the Michael Fairman Channel shared the arrivals at the 40th anniversary of Santa Barbara in this video below.
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