News
Sofia Pernas Let Go From Y&R! Lands Role In CW Pilot "Transylvania"!

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
Looks like there will be no more Marisa in Genoa City! According to an item from Deadline.com Wednesday afternoon, Sofia Pernas (Marisa) has been let go from The Young and the Restless due to budgetary reasons. But Pernas landed very quickly on her feet!
Sofia has been cast as a series regular opposite Laura Brent in CW’s genre-themed drama pilot Transylvania!. Pernas is stepping into the role and replacing Amrita Acharia who was originally slated for the part. Apparently, twenty four hours after she was let go from the number one soap opera on Monday, Pernas booked the role in Transylvania, and Wednesday, got on a plane to go shoot the pilot.
The pilot Transylvania is set in 1880 and centers on Victoria (Brent), a headstrong young woman in search of her missing father who ventures from NYC to Transylvania where she teams up with a wrongfully disgraced Scotland Yard Detective, and together they witness the births of the most famous monsters and villains in history. Pernas will play Coriander, an exotic gypsy, the leader of the matriarchal Szgany clan that runs the fleshpots of the Old City — the haunted spot where Vlad the Impaler once killed thousands of their tribe.
So, what do you think about Sofia being let go from The Young and the Restless? How will she be written out? What do you think of Sofia’s new role on the CW pilot? Comment below!
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.
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This is EXCELLENT news. May the speed at which newbies are fired pick up!
Sorry to see her go, but Noah deserves better than a conniving liar. Luca or Victor will probably have something to do with it, or maybe she will go back to Spain to be near her daughter.
Budgetary cuts?? Does that mean there are more on the way?
They should let the fans vote!
Hope they replace the actress. There are several talented actresses looking for work. I hope she is not killed off.
I dont think Angelia Jolie could make that character interesting!
“Angelina!”
I didn’t care for her on Y&R but happy that she got a bigger gig so soon!
My biggest surprise is that Y&R has budget issues!
I was sort of taken aback, blake. I had not heard any rumors or anything. I can take her or leave her. I could never see her with Noah, though. I hope this does not mean Robert is leaving as well.
I am as surprised as you about these budget issues.
You would be shocked at all the budgetary cuts, and the many ways if affects the shooting. I’m told there are few retakes. Used to be they’d go until they liked the performance.
Yeah Kathy it seems Y&R is going where even Guiding Light was before it was cancelled. Not saying Y&R is anywhere near cancelled, but GL only had a handful of sets and had people living in a hotel and even board meetings in restaurants lol. And they had no time to rehearse scenes either.
“Budgetary reasons”. Why not put her on recurring status if it’s budgetary reasons? But they’re okay with recasting Billy and keeping Luca.
Yeah, right….
Apparently that’s what they did…recurring.
I do agree about Billy and Luca, JustSaying. I want Luca gone for good. What is his purpose? Why do they need a Spaniard with a very, very old ITALIAN name as a Victor adversary/antagonist. There are one and a million ‘rich’ American “Howard Hugheses” around…..why a foreigner? Bah!!
Same with Kyle. The actor who plays him is Australian. Where is President Trump when you need him!
Hindsight, Billy should have been written off the show until Billy Miller was ready to return.
I know, Timmm. But, at least Kyle did not look ethnic. He was believable as an American….and, he looked lke Jack!!
Not that there is anything wrong with looking ethnic. But, i know what Italians look like..I i am married to one; and, I know what people from Spain look like, as well. Manny are dark complected. But, it is called the Mediterranea look from Southern Italy, Spain, Greece, Malta etc. the features are all wrong.
Why make him European? Neither has that ethnic look as he. Italians are caucasian, as are Spaniards, as are Europeans. Luca plays the part of a Spaniard with an Italian name. The name LUCA is Italian , as is, Santori. Makes no sense. Just like Marco Annicelli….a Peruvian with an italian name. Okay, that, at least makes more sense. Marco did not look ethically Peruvian, as Luca does.
The least TPTB could have done was give this guy a Spanish name and be of mixed genetic characteristics. He looks Cuban, not Spanish, as from Spain.
Sorry for the rant….grrrr.
I will not say anything ‘bad’ about Trump. My father knows him. He is actually a nice guy. Honest. But, I do love the joke, and the inference.
Luv-ya.
LOL yeah sure..
Y&R has budget problem and the sky is red..
” Sofia Pernas (Marisa) has been let go from The Young and the Restless due to budgetary reasons.”
If anyone believes that, post back I’d like to know who believes that LOL ahaa!
I believe it, su0000.
Just look at the recent ratings reports. The women 18-49 demo is the soaps moneymaker. That demo has been down approximately 400,000 from a year ago the last several weeks. Concessions have to be made early to avoid problems down the road.
Rumor has it that producers were already in talks with EB and MTS about cuts in pay. Alot of budgetary decisions are based on those vets earnings.
Good luck trying to get Eric to take a pay cut!
The way those demos are yeah there is going to have to be more cuts all around. They already don’t have many sets. Imagine EB having to take a pay cut. LMAO
Liked her and Robert Adamson together. The #1 show can’t afford to pay for a decent cast now?
Jill Farren Phelps has always been over budget with every soap she’s been EP on and her co-EP Chuck Pratt isn’t helping either!
That is true, Jill always has to have big events take away from budget. She started with Guiding light then Another World, General Hospital and now Y&R.
Hmmm, interesting. Budget reasons?
Her character was interesting at first and I liked her.
But for months it seemed hard to figure out her place
on the show, where she really belonged.
Wonder how she will leave. And I hate that sweet Noah
will probably have his heart broken. Again.
But good luck to Sofia in her new project!
Please soap gods… FIRE Summer
Yes!!!!
No big loss — the character was overplayed and had zero chemistry with Robert Adamson.
Might I also suggest writing off Abby, Stitch, Max, Natalie, Luca, and Summer to help with those budget problems?
Y&R had a horrible February sweeps and the early numbers in March are worse. This show is sinking fast. Sony & CBS can’t be happy with this mess. Phelps & Pratt are ruining this show with FOJs and newbies galore. It’s time to intervene before these two do long-term damage.
It doesn’t make sense that they will let Marisa go and keep Luca. How about they get rid of all the new dead weight? Let’s see, Luca, Marisa, Max, the pregnant teenager chick, Natalie, and just for good measure get rid of Christine. Let her finally die under a tire. She has been hit twice and she won’t die. Please soap opera gods, let her go into the sunset with skidmarks on her nasty personality.
Mateo…
1. More and more, I cannot stand Max (Stitch’s kid). I think that Max is nothing but a two-faced, whiny and even brattier DEMON-CHILD…SHUDDER!!!!!
2. Shawn (that pregnant teenager) is getting to be W-A-Y too nosy. Annoying.
3. Annoyingly smart by the mouth, awkward, humorless…to me, that Natalie chick is a real downer. No Thank You.
4. I CANNOT STAND CHRISTINE, PERIOD!!!!! I’ve always found Christine’s prissy-filled personality and attitude to be a real turn-off. Oh…if and when Christine does go ‘into the sunset’ (as you say), then maybe Paul can find himself a REAL WOMAN a la a woman who is ‘anti-Christine’. Y-e-p.
Take care, Mateo.
Agreed, Jay…except for Natalie. I think she’s a hoot…She’s nerdy and quirky….so different.
You watch; she will come out from hiding behind those glasses and bloom. Ugly duckling no more; but, a Swan!!
Christine acts like the dowager duchess from a 17th Century horror movie. To think poor Paul goes to bed with her every night. Lighten up, girl!!
I love children, I take to little actors, even at their worst. But, Max is not a pleasurable kid. He is so one-dimensional. He is an evil kid….wait and see…LOL. later, my friend.
Demon child! I am still laughing about you coining the kid that! So so so funny.
Natalie gets on my nerves also.
Since you mentioned getting run over by a car, here are my four tire victims!
1 Glummer
2 Stitch
3 Devon
4 Phyllis
Wish her the best of luck. Working in the biz I know all about budget cuts. I think there might have been a bit more to it than just that though. However, Y&R is pretty cast heavy and between guaranteed days paid to actors and costs of production, I’d say Y&R could use a serial killer or natural disaster storyline right about now. They really should get back to the core characters and cut away the dead wood. There are many characters, that while played by good actors/actresses can and should be let go. I’m sure she’ll be great on her new show!
Take Luca, Noah, Summer and Natalie with you!
This show Transylvania sounds alot like showtimes penny dreadful
Summer and Natalie definitely, but please not Luca!!!
Okay but Luca needs a haircut and a family on the show!
I agree about the family, but not the hair!!! Luca has the best hair!