Tracker’s season four is underway on CBS, and that means daytime fans will also be able to see soap alums in primetime when Justin Harley continues as series lead Colter Shaw, Jensen Ackles returns as brother, Russell Shaw and Hartley’s real-life wife, Sofia Pernas also returns in the role of Billie Matalon.

Recently, Entertainment Tonight caught up with the trio to discuss how their soap opera roots prepared them for longevity in their careers in primetime and motion pictures, and to talk more about what’s ahead the rest of the season on the popular nighttime drama series.

As soap fans know, Justin Hartley got his start as Fox Crane on NBC’s Passions from 2002-2006 and later went on to play Adam Newman on The Young and the Restless from 2014-2016. Jensen Ackles was the original grown-up Eric Brady on Days of our Lives from 1997-2000 and Sofia Pernas played Marisa Sierras on The Young and the Restless from 2015-2017.

Photo: JPI

WHAT’S MY LINE?

So, what’s the trios take away from working on the soaps? Justin Hartley said, “The ability to memorize lines quickly so that you can then start working on them. I can’t really go to work on a scene until I have it memorized. That’s kind of how I work. So, to have to be able to do that quickly and then be able to start working on it.”

Jensen Ackles echoed his Tracker TV brother, and added it’s all in the lighting too! “I would say yes, memorizing lines, but also the technical aspect of acting that I don’t think a lot of people really think about. Understanding that if you’re not on your mark, that light’s not set up for you. You’re going to be out of focus. So, you’re going to block someone else. You’re going to block somebody else’s light.”

Photo: JPI

WHERE’S MY LIGHT?

“So, I think being very aware of of the technical side of things is something you learn very very early, especially as a soap actor,” shared Ackles. “And then, you don’t have to think about it when you’re doing other things. It just kind of becomes that you’re way more present with your scene partner because everything else you already figured out.”

The trio also spoke to how on the set of a primetime show or movie, when you come in to film your scenes during a hectic day to the actors, crews and producers, its not for them, because of their experience working under pressure, and fast from their time on the soaps.

Justin Hartley explained, “Those chaotic days where you come in and people turn to you and go, ‘You came from soaps as well.’  So, you come to set and everyone’s like, ‘Okay, just so you know, there is a lot going on today. You got to be here, then you got to be here, then we’re going to do this. And it’s just a lot. So, bear with us.’ I’m in my head, I’m going, ‘That doesn’t seem like that much.”‘

Photo: JPI

Tracker returns with an all-new episode on Sunday, November 15 entitled, “Blind Spot” beginning at 9pm ET/PT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

Check out Justin, Jensen and Sofia talking Tracker and their soap opera pasts with ET below.

Now, let us know, have you been watching Tracker season 4? Do you agree that former soap actors can handle anything thrown at them in other projects, due to the pace and learning curve working on a daily soap provides an actor? Did you enjoy watching Justin on Passions and Y&R, Jensen on DAYS, and Sofia turning her time on Y&R? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

Next week on the Friday, November 13 episode of Beyond the Gates, Yvette Nicole Brown and her real life husband Anthony Davis guest star. In story, Brown takes on the role of Temeka the cousin to Shanice (Ernestine Johnson Morrison).

When Temeka comes to Fairmont Crest she will be accompanied by her husband, Tony, played by real-life hubby Anthony Davis. The castings come as the soap opera continues to expand the family of Shanice. Previously, we met her brothers, Cedric and Lamont.

As Shanice gets ready to head down the aisle with Dr. Ted Richardson (Keith D. Robinson) will the presence of Shanice’s family members actually deter the nuptials from ever taking place?

Photo: CBS

This now makes the third daytime drama appearance by Yvette Nicole Brown. She first popped up on The Young and the Restless in 2016 and 2017 as reporter Lois Thompson.

Then in 2023, she played a nurse on General Hospital when she appeared in the March 29, 2023 episode honoring her real-life friend, Sonya Eddy who past away in real-life in December of 2022, The soap honored her in death when her character, Epiphany died.

Photo: ABC

Brown and Eddy first met in 2003 while testing for an ABC pilot titled “The Four Divas” alongside Octavia Spencer and Carla Renata and became very close friends up until Eddy’s passing.

It was actually Brown’s character, who came forth to Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) and shared that Epiphany died saving her life which gave some sort of solace to Elizabeth; knowing Epiphany died doing what she loved, helping people.

As for Anthony Davis, not only is he an actor, but a writer and minister known for TV and film roles including: He Wasn’t Man Enough (2025), The Family Business: New Orleans, and The Upshaws.  

Brown is also recognized from her roles on: Community, The Odd Couple, The Mayor, That ’70s Show, The Office, Boston Legal, Chuck, Mom, Big Shot to name but a few.

So, looking forward to see Yvette Nicole Brown and her real-life husband, Anthony Davis on Beyond the Gates? Happy to see more family members from Shanice’s life showing up at Fairmont Crest? Do you remember the heart-tugging episode where everyone learned Epiphany had died on General Hospital and Yvette Nicole Brown’s part in the story? Let us know via the comment section.

When you’re in demand, you’re in demand! Such is the case for The Bold and the Beautiful’s Daytime Emmy nominee for Supporting Actor and writing at this year’s Daytime Emmys, Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter Walton). While Lawrence did not walk away with either statuette, he was clearly acknowledged by his peers.

Currently, in one of B&B’s frontburner storylines with Carter and Steffy’s (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) surrogacy ploy, Saint-Victor also had some time to film a guest star role on an upcoming episode of famed ABC medical drama, Grey’s Anatomy!

Look for Lawrence to appear on the November 12 episode entitled, “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” with a few other soap opera alums and Grey’s cast members: Jason George (ex-Sunset Beach) and Chandra Wilson (ex-Tina Estrada, ex-Dr. Francine Massey and ex-Sydney Val Jean, General Hospital).

Courtesy/ABC

In story, Jo faces a life-or-death crisis when a house call goes wrong, and Ben meets Bailey’s new study partner. Meanwhile, Blue struggles with an unexpected family issue.

B&B fans can catch Saint-Victor’s upcoming guest star role as Mark, Bailey’s “environmental life partner” on Grey’s Anatomy next Thursday night. The medical drama airs Thursdays at 10pm ET/9pm CT and streams the following day on Hulu.

Grey’s Anatomy is now in its 23rd season having premiered on March 27, 2005, The medical series follows the personal and professional lives of surgical interns, residents, and attending physicians at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

Cast member, Harry Shum Jr. (also featured in next week’s episode) is also pulling double duty this coming week, as he is still in the running for the Mirrorball Trophy on ABC’s current season of Dancing with the Stars.

Now below, check out the promo for next week’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy.

So, looking forward to seeing Lawrence on Grey’s? Do you like seeing some of your favorite soap stars take on guest star roles on primetime dramas? Do you think Carter and Steffy will continue to get away with their surrogacy deception on The Bold and the Beautiful? Weigh-in via the comment section.