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Trans Actor and B&B Alum Scott Turner Schofield Notes, “Soap Operas Have Always Known That the Most Compelling Stories are the Ones Society’s Still Wrestling With”

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: JPI

It was 2015 and on The Bold and the Beautiful, Maya Avant was revealed to be a transgender character, and the role was played by current Beyond the Gates star, Karla Mosley, who is a cis actress.

In a recent interview Mosley shared why she stepped away from the role of Maya, and that she would not play another transgender character again in her career, because it would feel “truly inappropriate,” given that, fast-forward over the last 10 years, Hollywood has moved towards casting trans performers in trans roles and because of her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.

Later, in 2015, B&B brought into the canvas, Maya’s friend, Nick played by trans actor and activist, Scott Turner Schofield. Nick eventually wound up officiating the wedding of Maya to the love of her life, Rick Forrester then played by Jacob Young.

Photo: JPI

By B&B casting Schofield, he became the first openly trans actor to appear in a soap opera and eventually went on to become the first trans actor to be nominated for an Emmy for his work in Sean Kanan’s digital drama series, Studio City.

Now ,in a new interview with PEOPLE during June’s Pride Month, Scott gave high praise to daytime drama and The Bold and the Beautiful for opening the door on television for more trans performers to hopefully walk through.

“Peppermint just had a groundbreaking trans wedding on Netflix’s Survival of the Thickest – and I cheered. I love her and all she does. But we did that on The Bold and the Beautiful 10 years ago,” shared Schofield. He went on to say,“ Soap operas have always known that the most compelling stories are the ones society’s still wrestling with. Throw in a bizarre love triangle and a moral dilemma, and you’ve got the formula that’s kept some soaps rolling for over 50 years.”

Photo: JPI

Scott also expressed his hopes that, “For the sake of my community – and honestly, for the sake of television itself — I hope more producers and execs find the guts that soaps have always had to tell complex stories about very different people. At this point, it’s not just activism. It’s good business sense.”

After reading the article on Scott, Karla Mosley took to her Instagram and shared, “LOVE and FEEL every word of this exclusive interview with my friend Scott Turner Schofield on the importance of not just being a “historic first”, but making sure you’re not the last. Here here!

Scott and I played besties on The Bold and the Beautiful and he points to the groundbreaking nature of Soap Operas. But that we have to keep expanding our “risky” storytelling beyond Soaps! Scott was shining back when we got to play together and has been shining ever since.”

So, should TV and film producers follow the examples set by The Bold and the Beautiful and be more inclusive weaving trans characters played by trans actors into their canvas? Did you like the the story of Maya Avant and her friend Nick on B&B? Do you feel that soap opera’s have always broken ground or showcased flashpoints in our culture? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

 

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Lordy you did not step away from anything Bell as usual got bored and your character disappeared. It was a totally ignorant storyline because he had to go back and do rewrites to even make it plausible the same way he is doing with Looney Luna.

It does seem Mr. Bell gets an idea, develops it quickly without suspense and like a child with toy, tires of it. I wonder if soaps have long-term bibles anymore. Maya Avant and Rick Forrester came and went rather quickly. It is one thing to be the first and to introduce stories. It is better to sustain them too. It happens a lot on B&B but every soap seems to do it. The gay character of Hank of ATWT… Nikki’s MS diagnosis on Y&R… any soap character with breast cancer… any effects from a trauma… disregard for law and order…

Thanks I’m glad to see I’m not the only one out here going what has happened and I don’t believe they do any long term story telling anymore they just throw it against the wall. I only keep a little track of two and just about to throw in the towel I have on Y&R and B&B I catch it once in a while ! Oh seen Katie’s heart transplant scar lately.

You mentioned cancer storylines being a cancer survivor for four years yes I would like for them to mention it you do go and have your mammograms you do go get blood tested etc I think if you are going to tell a story you need to follow up! And Lilly and Ashley should have shown up and supported Sharon they all should have discussed it otherwise do not bring it up in story

I appreciate your perspective on cancer storylines as a survivor. The disease has lifelong impact even with a positive outcome. And the experience is enough to warrant a character’s participation in a blood drive, 5K walk, or charity event that brings attention to the cause, and even reveals something about the character’s response to the experience. God bless you, Kay!

I wish GH would showcase Terry more. Cassandra James can act and is easy on the eyes. It would be sweet to see Terry and Yuri interact more with each other. Doesn’t have to be a major storyline. I know budgets are tight, but the assistant chief of staff should’ve been at the Nurse’s Ball for a bit and checked on her pal Elizabeth during her convalescence.

General Hospital

Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)

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Maura West and Kelly Sullivan

It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.

The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.

Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.

Photo: JPI

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST

Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”

Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”

Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”

Photo: JPI

KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL

Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”

You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.

So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!

 

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General Hospital

Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’

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Steve Burton

The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.

TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.

That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.

Steve Burton

Photo: ABC

STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES

GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.

Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).

Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.

GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS

Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.

Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.

Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.

So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.

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Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027

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Jess Walton

The Young and the Restless enduring favorite and two-time Daytime Emmy-winning actress, Jess Walton (Jill Foster Abbott) is set to release her memoir!

Kensington Publishing has revealed on their website that Walton’s book The Young and the Rest of Us is now available for pre-order while listing an April 27, 2027 release date. In addition, in June of 2027, Walton will mark her 40th anniversary with The Young and the Restless and her debut as Jill.

The official log lines for the memoir share, “Emmy Award-winning actress Jess Walton, known to millions as the iconic Jill Abbott on the #1 soap opera The Young and the Restless, shares her extraordinary journey to stardom, sobriety, true love, and self-discovery in this startingly candid, intimate, and star-studded memoir.”

Jess Walton

Photo; Kensington Books

CAKE FIGHTS AND CORPORATE INTRIGUE

The book description for The Young and the Rest of Us adds,  “In June 1987, Jess Walton walked through the artists’ entrance at CBS for her first day on The Young and the Restless,where she had just been hired to play the recast role of Jill AbbottTwo Emmy awards, four decades, and countless onscreen affairs, marriages, corporate takeovers, and cake fights later, she’s a beloved icon with an astonishing tale to tell.”

“In her refreshingly candid style, Jess shares her journey as a young actress from Toronto theaters to Los Angeles, where she found herself at the center of a Laurel Canyon circle that included the likes of Neil Young, David Geffen, Laura Nyro, and Joni Mitchell. Landing a Universal contract and a steady stream of guest starring roles, Jess embraced everything 1970s L.A. had to offer—including Hollywood parties fueled by limitless booze and drugs, and trysts with stars. She recounts with candor and gratitude the surprising path that eventually led her to sobriety, true love—and ultimately, to fictional Genoa City, Wisconsin, and the role of a lifetime.”

“Brimming with behind-the-scenes drama and celebrity cameos to delight fans, The Young and the Rest of Us is also rich in personal, relatable truths about marriage, motherhood, empty-nesting, self-discovery, and finding the courage to start over—as often as it takes. In a voice as fearless and frank as Jill’s, but with, humor and grace all her own, Jess Walton looks back on a life as unpredictable, and adventure filled as anything she has portrayed on screen.”

WHO ELSE PLAYED JILL FOSER ABBOTT?

Fans of The Young and the Restless know that Walton became the fourth actress to take on the role of Katherine Chancellor’s original nemesis Jill Foster back in 1987. The OG Jill was played by Brenda Dickson, also Deborah Adair, Bond Gideon and Melinda O. Fee played the part.

This year, Days of our Lives star Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) filled-in for several episodes for Walton who was unavailable to travel from her home in Oregon to Los Angeles where Y&R was taped. Walton is still with the long-running soap opera as Jill.

So, excited to learn of Jess Walton’s upcoming memoir, ‘The Young and the Rest of Us?’ Will it be it a must-read for you? Drop a comment below.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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