Soap operas aren’t for everyone and you can add motion picture and television star Mary Elizabeth Winstead to the list. It was back in 1999 that a 14-year-0ld Winstead joined the cast of the upstart NBC soap opera in the role of Jessica Bennett.

Now in a new conversation on Off Camera with Sam Jones, Winstead talked about the early years of her career in Hollywood, which was topped off by her decision to get out of her contract with Passions after just a year.

Opening up about her experience on the set of Passions, Winstead shared, she didn’t particularly enjoy it. Having worked on other sets before landing the role of Jessica, Winstead said that compartively, “I kind of knew this wasn’t what everything was like.”

Photo: NBC

DISGRUNTLED OVER SOAP OPERA’S TOXIC ENVIRONMENT

However, Mary Elizabeth then went on to explain the set of Passions has a real “militant vibe” and “it was friendly and it wasn’t encouraging or warm.” She cites an example of how her mother wasn’t allowed on set and and was forced by the producers to spend her day in Mary Elizabeth’s dressing room.

Winstead added, “There were times where she (her mother) would kind of try and quietly be there (on set), and they would be like, ‘We’ll just pretend we didn’t see you around here.”‘All of this, and her unhappiness, led Winstead to break her contract.

For those who need a Passions refresher course, the character of Jessica Bennett ,who was later played by Jade Harlow and Danica Stewart, was initially a quiet introverted teen. Eventually, Jessica went through a major downward spiral that included substance abuse, being forced into prostitution by Spike Lester (whom she briefly married), a fake death and burial, and rehab!

MARY ELIZABETH WINSTEAD’S CAREER

As for Winstead, she most recently appeared in the Hulu remake of The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, A Gentleman in Moscow, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, Smashed (for which she received an Independent Spirit Award nomination), 10 Cloverfield Lane and FX’s Fargo.

Meanwhile on the home front, Winstead is married to motion picture and television star Ewan McGregor. The couple tied the knot in 2022 after meeting on the set of FX’s series Fargo in 2016.

You can check out Mary Elizabeth Winstead talking about her experience on Passions on the Off Camera Show below.

What do you think of Winstead’s feelings on the environment on the set of Passions? If you watch the clip below, do you think host Sam Jones talked down about soap operas as well? Weigh-in via the comment section.

After her star turn in recent episodes of Beyond the Gates, soap opera’s latest vixen Hayley Lawson Hamilton played by Marquita Goings has grabbed viewers attention just waiting to see what stunt she’ll pull next!

Now, Marquita Goings will visit the Michael Fairman Channel for a livestream chat on Thursday, October 22 beginning at 7pm ET/4pm PT and you can join us with your questions!

Previously in story, Hayley has racked up some pretty despicable acts and crimes thus far which have included, trying to poison and kill Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett) for his life insurance in order to cash in and hightail it out of Fairmont Crest with the moolah.

Photo: CBS

Then, let’s not forget using the recordings she obtained to blackmail everyone with the the secret that Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis) and Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) have been trying to keep under wraps about the hate crime years ago, which saw Martin kill one man, while another later died, in an effort to save his grandfather.

NEXT WEEK ON BEYOND THE GATES

Now, the week of October 19-23 previews that it appears that Hayley may be pregnant (take a look at the video preview below) with Bill’s child when she gets a little queasy, after she went to see her partner in crime, Randy (Maurice P. Kerry) to get a fresh ID to skip out of town and away from the DMV.

In fact, on the Tuesday, October 20 episode, official BTG spoilers indicate, Vernon assures Dani (Karla Mosley) that he’s got things handled, while Hayley’s ready for her next act, while on the Friday, October 23 episode, Leslie (Trisha Mann-Grant) has devastating words for Hayley and Bill’s got another thing coming.

If you have a question for Marquita but cannot join us for the live broadcast, drop it in the comment section and we just might ask it during the chat.

Now let us know, do you think Hayley will be pregnant? How will she continue to evade any prison time? What has been your favorite scene of Marquita Goings on Beyond the Gates thus far? Comment below.

It had become abundantly clear that roomies Dr. Lucas Jones (Van Hansis) and PCPD detective Joe Fitzpatrick (Jonathan Bennett) seem destined towards a romance on General Hospital.

In fact, to get Lucas all hot and bothered (although he does fully let on), during the Friday, October 16 episode, the good doctor helps Joe pick out something less stuffy to wear to a bar to meet people.

However, the moment is met with Joe taking off his shirt in front of Lucas and doing a quick change from sport coat and button down shirt to a more relaxed casual button down shirt. In fact, the ABC soap opera even called out the moment as their clip of the day (see below).

Courtesy/ABC

MAJOR STORY TEASE FOR JOE

Bennett spoke with OUT in a new feature about what may be on the horizon for the by-the-book Joe and the moral Lucas, and how he learned that once the producers and writers on a soap script in a shirtless scene, if it goes over well, said actor, can expect many more in the months to come!

“I’m so excited for the audience to see where my character goes on General Hospital. It’s going to be monumental and I think people are going to love it,” teased Bennett. “I was shirtless in an episode and so petrified to shoot it,” he added. “I wanted to look my best and feel good. I really worked hard to get my body to a good place and I did it.”

STAYING CAMERA READY

However as Jonathan points out, now he is finding himself half-naked in upcoming scenes as officer Joe! “I think I shot myself in the foot! Now that I did it once and it turned out well, every few weeks I read a script and I’m coming out of the shower, changing my shirt, or in the bathtub,” revealed Jonathan.

So, how does he keep camera ready? “I’m in the gym more, I have a better diet,” pointed out Bennett. “You have to stay healthy if you’re going to be shirtless every few weeks! I’m gay, an only child, and an actor. Of course I love the attention!”

While Bennett’s Port Charles story is going to reveal itself in the coming months, you can also see Jonathan back as the host of The Food Network’s Halloween Wars 16th season which concludes on Sunday, October 25.

Now below. check out the scene in question from Friday’s GH entitled, “Lose the Shirt.”

Weigh-in: What do you think will be “monumental” that Jonathan has teased that viewers will find out about Joe in the coming weeks? Are you feeling the on-screen chemistry between Joe and Lucas? Share your thoughts in the comment section.