Interviews

The Stephen Nichols Interview – The Young and the Restless

By Michael Fairman

Published

17 years ago

January 26, 2010

Michael

©JPI Studios

This week, daytime fans get one of their wishes, to see Stephen Nichols back on daytime. After being let-go by Days of our Lives almost a year ago, the talented and popular actor finally debuts on The Young and the Restless, Wednesday, in the role of Tucker McCall — the billionaire mogul revealed last week to be the son of the grand dame of Genoa City, Katherine Chancellor. Not only did Tucker reveal he is the son Katherine gave away, but that piece by piece he dismantled her beloved company and took it for himself! Poor Katherine is still reeling that the child she gave away was not a little girl (as she had thought) but a little boy! Let the fireworks begin! Nichols could not be coming into the role at a more exciting time.

The back-story, as had been reported…Y&R had decided to make a change in the direction of Tucker McCall after casting veteran actor William Russ in the role. After watching Russ on-screen, the powers-that-be thought it best to make a switch sooner than later, and with a phone call to soap vet Stephen Nichols, the show felt they found what they were looking for.

From his role as Stefan on GH to Patch on DAYS, you know that Stephen Nichols is going to play Tucker for all he is worth, and then some. In this exclusive online interview, Nichols talks about his first airdate, working with the legendary Jeanne Cooper, the state of the genre, and being a soap recast for the first time in his career, and finding professional happiness on the set of the number one soap!

Listen to the audio: The Stephen Nichols Interview

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MICHAEL:

How long have you been taping at Y&R as Tucker?

STEPHEN:

I started right before the holidays and it was such a nice Christmas gift.

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MICHAEL:

Your fans and I were so upset to see you let-go as the beloved Patch on DAYS….

STEPHEN:

…You weren’t the only one.

MICHAEL:

So you received a call from Maria Arena Bell (Y&R head writer and co-executive producer), saying that they would like you to take over the pivotal role of Tucker. You must have been beyond excited when you heard that?

STEPHEN:

Yes, I was happy, excited, and terrified all at the same time.

MICHAEL:

What makes this role so unique? Maria had stated that it’s so integral to the show. Did you know the set-up of the character enough before you came in here to start taping?

Yes, they described what the role would be. I think what makes it exciting is that I am connected to so much history on the show. I am the son of the matriarch on the show. And that is very exciting, number one, because it’s always good to start on a new show with a rich history, and you are not some guy from out of nowhere. It’s so great to have ties to the show and to the history of that show. The most exciting part is working with Jeanne Cooper (Katherine). She is amazing!

MICHAEL:

So, when you first premiere this Wednesday, should we grab our popcorn and sit back and enjoy a Katherine and Tucker smackdown?

STEPHEN:

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I don’t want it to be anti-climatic if things don’t work out when you are watching it. (Laughs) But I have to tell you, the first time I worked with her it was as if I had been working with her for 20 years, and Jeanne felt the same way. We had this connection, and you get that feeling once in a while, especially in daytime where it’s a daily grind and you are doing so much material. It’s rare that you have this feeling with another actor, and I had it immediately with her. On my first airdate, something happens in the realm of business between her and me. But once that is revealed we are left alone in the room, and Katherine says something to me that really hit home. So those are the first scenes we have together alone, and they are pretty exciting.

MICHAEL:

You knew of each other’s work?

STEPHEN:

I had seen Jeanne’s work over the years, and I think there is a secret that a lot of soap opera actors keep, and that is we watch each other’s work. There is a television in your dressing room. So if you are on a soap, and you have a TV in your dressing room, and you have some downtime and it’s around noon, you flip around and there you see Y&R or GH, or one of the other shows, and you watch. I am interested in seeing the work of other actors in daytime, and what the stories are, and if the writing is good and what the production values are. I have tuned in several times to Y&R, and every time I have seen Jeanne Cooper on the show, she has been amazing.

MICHAEL:

Y&R’s co-executive producers, Maria Arena Bell and Paul Rauch and I, spoke about you in an upcoming interview. They had said you bring so many complexities, a strength, sexuality, and drama to this character. Is that what we are going to see with your Tucker?

STEPHEN:

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Oh, sexuality. Did they say that? (Laughs) I am an intuitive actor. I don’t know a thing about big business, for example. Now, I have started in the morning reading the business section of the New York Times. I only used to peruse it. But now I read it cover to cover, because I don’t have a head for business. So, I have to trust the writers that they are going to give me good dialog. I see it and I go, “OK, now that sounds pretty good, but I have to understand it.” If I don’t understand it then it’s not going to come off on screen.

MICHAEL:

Are there tricky words used in your corporate scenes like, “Takeover”? (Laughs)

STEPHEN:

Oh, “Takeover” is a very tricky one, (Laughs) and “Dominant Market Share!” There is a lot of stuff I don’t have a clue about, that’s just not my thing, but the writing is very good and they make me look good and sound good.

MICHAEL:

So we can safely assume that the conflict and confrontations between Katherine Chancellor and her son, Tucker, will continue? He is out for revenge on his mother!

STEPHEN:

Yes, he is out for revenge on his mother. I mean any kid that was put in an orphanage at birth, and whose mother put him there and never looked back, would feel resentful of that. So yeah, I am going to get her.

MICHAEL:

You also get the opportunity to work with the rest of the Chancellor clan. There are so many wonderful actors for you to play with.

STEPHEN:

That is the other thing that is unique to this situation. In fact, Maria said this when I was speaking with her one time, “You know this character will be dropped right in the center of all the main characters on the show.” And I thought, “Wow! What a prospect.” It’s been amazing. I have already worked with Eric Braeden (Victor).

MICHAEL:

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How was working with Mr. Braeden, as the powerful Victor Newman? I hear things are going to get very tense between the moguls!

STEPHEN:

My first day, we hit it off great. We had some great scenes. There was a lot electricity and a lot going on. I so appreciate that, because when you prepare yourself at home and then you come into the studio, you don’t really know what’s going to happen until you get on the set and start doing the scenes with the other actors. When you get that tennis match going and people are really going and hitting the ball to you, and you have to hit it back… that is exciting! I can tell you that is what happened with Eric and that is what happened with Peter Bergman (Jack), and all the young guys I have been working with; Daniel Goddard (Cane) and Michael Muhney (Adam), and especially Jess Walton (Jill). She is amazing! We had a couple of scenes last week where right afterwards I said, “Oh, My God. It’s just amazing working with you!”

MICHAEL:

Now that Jill realized Tucker stuck it to Katherine, do you think the romance between Jill and Tucker is still going to move forward?

STEPHEN:

Well, it’s under the surface, because they had a real hot sexual relationship, and unfortunately, William Russ got to play more of that than I did. So I am looking forward to some of that for me!

MICHAEL:

Is Tucker a ‘playa’?

STEPHEN:

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Oh yes, Tucker is a player. I can give you a little tidbit. One night, Tucker gets a knock at the door and it’s Jill, and he was not expecting her. Tucker is trying to get rid of her the whole time she is standing there, and at the end of the scene, once he finally gets her out of the door, a 20-something year old comes out of his bedroom. I say, “I am sorry this took so long.” And she says, “Less talk and more action, baby.” And I say, “Oh well, I like the sound of that.” And then we get to it…. and so… he is a ‘playa’! (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

Tucker must be torn up inside with huge abandonment issues?

STEPHEN:

He has all that stuff, but he has found a way to create a very strong armor. He doesn’t let it break very often. He does not let anyone see his true feelings, and I think the reason he is such a player is, and it’s my take on it now, is that it’s for that very reason. He does not want to get close to anyone. He does not want to get hurt.

MICHAEL:

So as a recast, how is this going to be handled on-air? Will they make a voice-over announcement, “The part of Tucker McCall will be played by soap superstar, Stephen Nichols?” Or, are they going to have your name on screen under your entrance in typical soap replacement fashion?

STEPHEN:

There is that weirdly embarrassing thing. (Laughs) In fact, I walk out of my bedroom in a robe, and Jill is already out of bed looking out the window. I walk out to see her, and as I am walking out to see her, the director asked me to stop and take a pause at the door before I continued, and that is where they put a chyron emblazed across my robe or my chest, “I am Stephen Nichols and I am playing the part of Tucker McCall.” (Laughs) It’s embarrassing, but fun. It never happened to me before.

MICHAEL:

Is it true what I read previously, that William Russ sent you a note on your first day?

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STEPHEN:

Yes he did. On my first day in my dressing room, on top of my television, was a little piece of paper or a piece of a script, and he had written a note on the back of it and it said, “Good luck with the role, Stephen…William Russ.” It was very nice.

MICHAEL:

How is it at Y&R, compared to your time at GH and DAYS?

STEPHEN:

Things have changed so much in this medium from the time I was at GH, which was from 1996-2003. We were not working quite as fast as we are now. There was a time where it was block and tape and almost no rehearsal. Now, there is virtually no rehearsal. You are lucky if you even get a blocking session, but you get used to it. People say, “Well, how do you learn all those lines?” You just do what you have to do to learn the lines. For some people it’s easier and for some people it’s difficult, but whatever your level is, you do what it takes, because if you don’t, you can’t do the job. It’s the same thing with block and tape. If you can’t do that, then you can’t do the job. You have to find a way where you can do it.

MICHAEL:

How has it been working with Paul Rauch?

STEPHEN:

I worked with Paul on Santa Barbara. I was on the soap for the last three months of its run. We had a good time. Everybody had a good time. First of all, it was a great show with great actors, and really the highest production values of any soap ever on the air, because New World had a hell of a lot of money. We all knew at that point we were going off the air, so everyone was having a good ole’ time. Paul was a lot of fun, and here at Y&R, so far, we have a really good relationship. The thing about Paul is he has really good taste. You can tell by the way he dresses… the man’s got taste. When he gives a note, he knows exactly what he is saying. Paul is very specific and he does not do it very often, and that is a sign of a good producer. He really allows people to breathe and to be creative and to let the thing happen. If it is not quite right, he will get out there and say, “This is the note.” I mean, I have only been here at Y&R a short time, but the notes to me have made perfect sense. He is hands-on, and his eyes are always watching what is going on.

MICHAEL:

You have seen the best and the worst of the genre; budget cuts, stars being dismissed, and cancellations. Are you concerned about what is happening now?

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STEPHEN:

You know, you’ve got to roll with the punches. This is life and that is what life is about, and it’s also about change. Anyone who thinks just because they have a job today, they will have a job tomorrow…. this past year is evidence for me to the contrary. It would be a shame to see daytime go away completely, because it is such a part of American culture, and we have so many die-hard fans. How many shows can say they have an audience for 35 or 40 years? No shows except daytime shows, perhaps some of the game shows. So, it’s important to remember that soaps are part of American culture. If television executives are smart, they will find a way to continue to make daytime thrive.

MICHAEL:

Do you see Tucker as a true villain?

STEPHEN:

No. I don’t believe there is such a thing, unless it’s a cartoon. You said something about humanity before and everyone has humanity, and you aren’t human if you don’t feel things, and at some point it’s going to show. I do enjoy playing villains, but I enjoy playing complex characters more. People have so many different facets to them. These writers are very good. The thing I love about the scripts here is; there is always extra stuff between the lines about character motivation, and you don’t see that very often. I saw it the first year and half I was at GH. The ones who wrote really good dialog, like Patrick Mulcahey, that is always very helpful. So I am not in the dark. I don’t have to call up and say, “What do you mean by this or that?”

MICHAEL:

Did anyone show you around your first day?

STEPHEN:

Jess Walton took me around. She introduced me to everybody and the crew, and every single person I met here including all the actors have been so warm, and even the B&B people I see across the hall! Don Diamont (Bill, B&B) said, “Welcome to the building!” and John McCook (Eric) and Ronn Moss, (Ridge). You see these guys at all the soap events over the years, and I don’t know them well, but to have them come up to me and be so sweet made me feel warm and comfortable. I really appreciated it.

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MICHAEL:

You took part two weekends ago at a Haitian Relief fundraising effort that your former cast mate Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis, GH) organized. What are your thoughts on the disaster in Haiti and what we should all being doing to help?

STEPHEN:

The Red Cross has raised something like a hundred and seventy some million dollars for Haitian Relief, mostly from this country, and that is fantastic! I think people are finally getting the message that we live in a global community with the internet and this quick connection to everybody and the sharing of information. We know what is going on in every corner of the world. We cannot close our eyes anymore and live in our little house bubble. We have to be proactive throughout the world and if someone else is in trouble, we have to do something about it.

MICHAEL:

So did Nancy just call and say…

STEPHEN:

…. Nancy called me the night before and said, “Hey it’s tomorrow at 3PM, can you do it?” My day was booked and I did not know if I could do it, but I got done what I needed to, and I got over to the Rose Bowl quick. There were a lot of young DAYS actors there, who I did not know. (Laughs) There were some GH people there, too, and some folks I knew from other shows. We stood there and collected money as people drove up and put their checks in the box. I think we raised that day something like $100,000.

MICHAEL:

So what can we expect from Tucker McCall, the Stephen Nichols version?

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STEPHEN:

He will be very, very cool, and he will be full of a lot of fire and a lot of surprises.

MICHAEL:

And finally, your avid fan base that has followed you through all of the twists and turns of your soap career must have been overjoyed to hear about your new role!

STEPHEN:

They are excited. I have been almost off DAYS a year. In February it will be a year, and they were getting really tired of not hearing from me. And, they did not see me, so I would do a couple of online chats and we would get together that way. The last chat was right before I got this gig, and I could not tell them. I had to keep it a secret. So I said, “Don’t worry. I bet something is coming down the pike. There will be some really excited news. I can just feel it.” (Laughs) They are very happy and I am happy to be back.

MICHAEL:

You were told by Y&R not to say anything to anyone?

STEPHEN:

I was not sure if I could tell my own mother! So I said to Y&R publicity, “My mother won’t tell anybody. Can I call her and tell her?” They said, “Yes, you can tell your mother.” My mother needed some good news at this point. She lives in Ohio and my grandmother just celebrated her 105^th birthday. I want to say, “Happy Birthday, Maddie!”

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MICHAEL:

Does your mom watch your work?

STEPHEN:

Oh, absolutely. She is very proud.

MICHAEL:

Does she call you up and go, “Why are you kissing that woman?”

STEPHEN:

Once in awhile she will say something like that, especially if I have a love scene. She will usually say, “You are too thin!” (Laughs)

Interviews

‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Heather Tom Talks Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes and What’s Behind Katie’s Deep-Seated Issues with Dylan (Exclusive)

Published

2 days ago

September 11, 2026

Michael

The Bold and the Beautiful’s Heather Tom (Katie Logan) is heading into the 53rd annual Daytime Emmys next month with a chance to win not one, but two gold statuettes to add to her collection of six!

Heather is once again a nominee for the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series, and for the first time a nominee as part of B&B’s writing team in the Outstanding Writing for a Daytime Drama Series category.

Currently, Heather is tied with One Life to Live icon, Erika Slezak (Ex-Viki) as the actresses with the most wins in Daytime Emmy history. An acting victory by Tom would break the tie, although Slezak’s wins have all been for Lead Actress, while Tom literally grew up before our eyes over 35 years in daytime, and has won in all three actress categories: Younger, Supporting and Lead.

Photo: JPI

Whether Tom wins the gold this year, next year is looking even like stronger lock with Heather delivering some of the best work of her career, over the last several months. Who can forget Katie’s showdown with her sister Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) over the creation of her own fashion house named Logan, that slap from Brooke, and eventually being disowned from the Logan family by Brooke and their sister, Donna (Jennifer Gareis).

This fall, Katie is in full momma bear-mode and being overprotective of her son Will Spencer’s (Crew Morrow) heart and pocketbook. In story, Katie has a massive distrust of Melissa Dylan, who has made her move on her son, while Will is still trying to deal with the break-up with the love of his life Electra Forrester.

During a live chat this week on the Michael Fairman Channel, Heather opened up on a myriad of subjects, including why Dylan gets under Katie’s skin in such a major way, and what scenes earned her a shot at Lead Actress gold at the October 30th Daytime Emmy ceremony.

Photo: JPI

HEATHER TOM’S DAYTIME EMMY SUBMISSION

In daytime, Heather Tom does it all, she acts, directs and writes for The Bold and the Beautiful. When deciding what material to submit for Emmy competition with its eligibility rules of episodes from 2025, it relayed heavily on scenes with her longtime B&B scene partner, Don Diamont (Bill Spencer).

“I submitted material having to do with the Luna (Lisa Yamada) storyline and having to do with Katie and Bill. I love that Katie and Bill have been really trying to find their way back to each other for, honestly, five years. He’s been trying to woo her back. Katie’s been like, ‘No.’ However, they come together, especially over their son, Will (Crew Morrow) and they have a very real relationship-type of discussion. It wasn’t an argument. It was more about, ‘I know you. Don’t do this.’ That’s always kind of been Katie’s relationship with Bill. The scenes with Don Diamont were about Katie and Bill’s history, the pain, and the drama, and especially about their son, seemed very familiar to me.”

Heather added, “There’s also a couple scenes with Will and Luna, when Katie finds out that Luna is pregnant. Katie was like, ‘Nope! Our son is having a baby with somebody, and we’re going to figure this out. We’ve got means and the ability to do this. I don’t care if we have to take this baby away from Luna because she’s crazy, we’ll figure it out.’ They were some really good scenes that I felt very proud of. I thought to myself, “OK, this is Katie really taking a stand for her son, and having these conversations with Bill where I just felt they were real and honest.”

In conclusion to standing by her choices of scenes, Heather explained, “It was nice to see Bill and Katie operating as a parental unit and have her be like, “Yep, we’re not doing this. You know, you can’t force Luna to do anything, so let’s just figure out how we’re dealing with this.” Katie was kind of the adult in the room. Then, the scenes where Bill says to Katie, “You have to come back to me and I need you,” while Katie shed a few tears, she still didn’t take him back, not yet.”

Photo: JPI

DYLAN BROKE THE ‘GIRLFRIEND CODE’

There are specific reasons why Katie has it out for Melissa Dylan. In fact, Dylan went so far as to get her mother Darcy Dylan to town to shut down Katie’s suspicions of her, but it still isn’t swaying Katie away from her stance on the matter. Heather revealed how she is playing the scenes.

“So, here’s the deal. It’s multifaceted,” began Tom. “This girl pushes Katie’s buttons. She reminds her of her sister, Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang), and what Katie’s going through with her sister right now is very unpleasant. I think she looks at this girl and says, “This girl is going to crawl over anyone to get what she wants. And right now, she wants my son, and she’s willing to throw her best friend (Electra) under the bus.”

Heather also said, “Honestly, there’s something known as the ‘girlfriend code.’ Would you like to know what the girlfriend code is? ‘The girlfriend code’ is if your girlfriend, who is also your best friend, dates a guy and is especially in love with him, it doesn’t matter if you break up, that guy is off limits. You need to find yourself another guy.”

KATIE’S TROUBLES WITH BROOKE AND DYLAN MAKE HER TAKE A STAND

Katie clearly draws a similarity to her sister Brooke and Melissa Dylan which is also driving her attitude, which Heather confirmed. “So to Katie, it’s like Dylan broke that code. She is someone who follows her heart just like Brooke and leaves carnage in her wake,” said Tom.

She continued, “I think Katie looks at her and goes ‘Okay, one, you were living in your car. You didn’t call your mother who clearly loves you and ask her for help, but you were more than willing to take help from this, lovely rich guy.’ I think Katie feels like the fact that Dylan has been so expressive of how in love she is with Will, I think she finds that a little weird. She’s telling him that she’s e in love with him, and he doesn’t say it back to you. So, clearly he’s in not in love with you.”

In story, Katie can’t trust a young woman, who knows her son doesn’t feel the same way about her and yet is still hanging around. Heather shared Katie’s viewpoint to Dylan: “He’s clearly in love with your best friend. So, isn’t it a little unsettling that she kind of keeps saying she’s in love with him? So that’s my multifaceted reason why Katie doesn’t like her. It really has nothing to do with the fact that she came from humble beginnings because Katie did too. That being said, the Spencers are billionaires, so she would have to also look out for that. However, I don’t think that’s the main reason why she doesn’t like this girl or doesn’t trust her. I really don’t.”

You can check out the full conversation from our livestream conversation on the Michael Fairman Channel below.

Now let us know, are you rooting for Heather Tom to win the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? What did you think of the scenes she submitted? Will Katie be proven right about Melissa Dylan, or will her distrust blow up in her face and she will wind up respecting Dylan when all is said and done? Weigh-in via the comment section.

Interviews

‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Kelly Sullivan Talks Becoming Darcy Dylan, Who’s Melissa’s Dad, and Future Love Interest (Exclusive)

Published

6 days ago

September 7, 2026

Michael

Kelly Sullivan made her triumphant return to daytime on recent episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful in her new role as Darcy Dylan, the mother of Melissa Dylan (Sydney Bullock).

In story, Melissa, better known as just “Dylan,” phoned home to her mother to come to Los Angeles, in an effort to calm the waters with Will Spencer’s (Crew Morrow) nosy mother, Katie Logan (Heather Tom), who doesn’t trust Dylan one iota.

Soap fans remember Sullivan from her previous Daytime Emmy-nominated role sas Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri on General Hospital and as Sage Warner on The Young and the Restless. During a livestream conversation exclusively on the Michael Fairman Channel, Kelly spoke about her time on GH and Y&R, and the wonderful co-stars she shared the screen with, and her excitement on her brand new role on B&B.

Photo: JPI

As to her thoughts on if Darcy will ultimately prove to be a gold-digger, opportunist, but still has a heart of gold (as we saw in recent scenes with her daughter, seemingly), Sullivan explained, “Characters like Darcy can be dangerous. I think Darcy is a survivor and she can charm. She’s a flirt. She knows what she wants. Darcy is self-made, according to her, and she made it.”

THE DYNAMIC BETWEEN DARCY AND HER DAUGHTER, MELISSA DYLAN

However, Melissa plays a big role in what’s next for Darcy! Kelly explained, “She’s got this beautiful daughter and that was her entire life who is now making her way. Let me tell you, I don’t know what Darcy’s retirement plan is, but one would assume she doesn’t have much savings. This is a great opportunity for her to connect with her daughter and get the lay of the land.”

Finding out that Melissa has been dating Will Spencer from the rich and powerful Spencer family in Los Angeles, while initially a shock, could prove interesting if the mother/daughter were to work together for a common cause, their survival.

Sullivan explained, “Darcy’s all about the tabloids and all about this life of illusion and the haves and have-nots, essentially. She would never shy away from an opportunity to see what’s around the corner. I think the interesting thing for me, that I’m excited about is to explore the dynamic between Darcy and Melissa and what is that going to become?”

From all accounts, Darcy is here to stay in Los Angeles, and fans will see much more of Sullivan on their-screens. “Darcy’s not going anywhere”, confirmed Kelly. “I always said to Sydney Bullock, Darcy didn’t buy a round trip ticket. If you think about it, Melissa could be her ticket. She might be Darcy’s only hope. There are serious stakes here if Darcy has been waiting for this moment.”

Photo: JPI

SHARING SCENES WITH HEATHER TOM

Last week, Sullivan had her first on-screen confrontation with Heather Tom. In the scenes, Katie was disapproving of Dylan and let Darcy know it. Eventually, Darcy takes Dylan with her to leave Will’s beach house apartment, but Will stops Dylan.

Recalling the taping of the scenes, Kelly said, “Heather Tom is a real special artist. In the story between Katie and Darcy, you’ve got momma bear and you’ve got momma bear. You can’t fault either of these women for how they feel, and how protective they are of their children.”

There are many things viewers and perhaps the writers have not totally fleshed out about the Dylans. Are their Dylan sisters coming, or to be revealed to rival the Logan sisters? Who is Melissa’s biological father? Plus, some more nuggets as Kelly revealed.

“I think there is a juicy, juicy story there of the Dylans,” previewed Sullivan. “It would also be interesting if they decide who Melissa’s dad is. Who is that? I mean, that’s interesting. You know, when I auditioned for this role, it said on the page that the character was charming, from the Midwest, and dance skills a plus. and I was a Broadway dancer. So, I hope this means there might be an opportunity to dance on the show at some point.”

Photo: JPI

DARCY DYLAN AND WYATT SPENCER PAIRING?

As for the men on the canvas, Kelly was asked what she thought of a potential Darcy and Wyatt Spencer (Darin Brooks) pairing? To which she responded, “That would be so much fun. I’m such a fan of Darin’s work. Oh, I would have a ball working with him. One of the things that really excited me about Darcy when I was coming into audition for her was that they said that they wanted her to have a comedic sensibility, comedic chops as they said it.”

Sullivan concluded, “To work with Darin, I would be so lucky. He’s such a great actor and he’s got great comedic timing and he’s just really present and phenomenally talented. He’s a great actor, so I would love that. I mean, anyone on the show would be really fun. You throw it at the wall (in daytime) and say, ‘Is there a thing? Is there something here?’ Chemistry is chemistry.”

Now below, and in case you missed it, you can check out our full video livestream chat with Kelly Sullivan below.

So, what have you thought of Kelly’s performances thus far as Darcy? Do you think Darcy will turn out to be an opportunistic woman, but who deeply cares and loves her daughter, or will it turn out to be a ruse? Would you like to see Kelly paired with Darin Brooks on-screen as a love interest, and who do you think truly is Melissa Dylan’s biological father? Weigh-in via the comment section.

General Hospital

GH and OLTL Alum Patrick J. Gibbons Reveals the Story Behind Writing Trina’s Song on ‘General Hospital’ (Exclusive)

Published

3 weeks ago

August 21, 2026

Michael

At the conclusion of today’s August 21 episode of General Hospital, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) sings a lullaby to baby Dez, that went into a montage to close out the episode as her father Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) reports to Pentonville and winds up in his jail cell.

However, in a fun fact, the song entitled, “A Lonely Heart To Give” was actually written by none other than former One Life to Live and General Hospital actor, Patrick J. Gibbons.

Daytime fans first met Gibbons as Sam Manning on One Life to Live. At the time, when he started on the soap, he was just 5-years-old. Gibbons played the part from 2010-2013 on ABC and Prospect Park’s editions of the show. Fast-forward to 2018, Gibbons shows up on General Hospital as Wyatt Hoover, the scout who seemed always be injured, but in the thick of the drama. Patrick had appeared on GH multiple times as Wyatt including: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023.

Photo: ABC

FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER’S DEATH CAME THE INSPIRATION FOR HIS SONG

Now in 2026, General Hospital fans are getting to learn about another side of Gibbons’ talent as a songwriter and guitar player after “A Lonely Heart to Give” debuted today! Michael Fairman TV caught up with Patrick, who is now a senior at Penn State entering his final year as a finance major, to get the back-story of how his song wound up on GH!

Gibbons explained he wrote the song in honor of his grandmother who passed away a few years ago with whom he was, very, very close with. “Randomly, my grandmother had a downfall and passed away during the second semester of my sophomore year. I was in my dorm a lot and I was just playing with my guitar. And at the time, I was really into finger-style playing. I wrote the lyric and music to it (with a little help from my guitar teacher Lou), and my mom showed the rough demo to Frank Valentini (EP, General Hospital). He’s like an uncle to me. Frank loved it so much he said, “Finish that up. I want to hear the whole thing, and I want it on the show.”

MAKING MUSIC FOR GENERAL HOSPITAL

Gibbons and his parents took the next steps! “So now, all we needed was a female voice, because I thought that would fit the song well,” Patrick shared. “At the golf club we go to my parents were at a dinner. They liked the singer that was performing and spoke to her about the song, and she says she would like to bring it to her ‘boss’ who ended up being Eric Bazilian of the Hooters fame!” (Bazilian also wrote the smash hit song “One of Us” for Joan Osborne).

Next, “We went in the studio and recorded it and the song came together and it was beautiful. We loved it. They loved it at General Hospital and now they’re putting it the show and they are coming in with a piano, instead of a guitar. Paul Glass, the GH musical director, has been keeping us updated over the last six months of how it was coming along, and when it would air, and how GH put their own arrangement to it. I can’t wait to see and hear what they did with it.”

Photo: JPI

PATRICK’S ONE LIFE TO LIVE FAMILY

Everyone knows that the One Life to Live extended family share a very tight bond, and Patrick said he does stay in touch with a few of his former One Life to Live co-stars, especially those from the Manning family! “I stayed in touch with Kassie DePaiva (ex-Blair) and sent her little videos here and there. She was like my second mom for five years. We keep in contact with Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) over X the most, and she can’t believe how big I’ve gotten. Like, none of them can! (laughs). I also loved working with Roger Howarth (ex-Todd) and Trevor St. John (ex-Todd and Victor Jr.), and to me since I was so young, they were just my friends, ‘Roger and Trevor,’ not Todd Manning or Victor Jr.”

It was a trip to California and a visit to Port Charles that ultimately led to Gibbons second soap role of Wyatt Hoover. Patrick explains, “In 2016, Frank Valentini invited us out to Los Angeles to visit the set of General Hospital. I think he heard me say, ‘This is so much fun. I miss being on the set.’ He goes, ‘You should come out. I’ll bring you on the show. We can make you a character.'”

A few years later, Patrick’s dream became a reality! “Then, by the summer of 2018, I was playing Wyatt, the scout, and shared scenes with Wes Ramsey (Peter August), and the best was when I shared a scene with Roger Howarth and Michael Easton (ex-John, OLTL and ex-Silas, Finn et al, GH), it was like chemistry from the old days.”

Photo: PGibbons

IT’S ALL IN THE NUMBERS

As to his future aspirations, it’s a career in the finance game that has piqued Gibbons’ real-life interest. But never say never to a return to acting. Patrick explained, “I’ve always enjoyed numbers. And on top of that, one of the biggest parts of finance is being personable and outgoing.”

He continued, “That’s one of the greatest skills I developed growing up. I really love the markets. I’m super interested. I’m never going to close the door to acting. I’m always open to that because I just love it so much. It’s such a great art.”

Take note! If there are any investment bankers or private equity folks among the GH faithful looking for a young analyst next year, Patrick’s DMs are open. You can find him on X at @PatrickJGibbons.”

So, what did you think of the song sung by Trina on today’s GH that was written by Patrick J. Gibbons? Did you enjoy Patrick’s performances as One Life’s Sam and GH’s Wyatt? Would you like to see him back on GH at some point? Let us know via the comment section.

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