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Y&R's Elizabeth Hendrickson Opens Up About Delia's Death and the Audience Reaction!
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
The Young and the Restless Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe) opened up to Ryan White-Nobles of TV Source in an interview surrounding her sentiments on the controversial death of Delia storyline that has many Y&R fans disgruntled, but has given meaty material to the actors involved in the story, and thus to the audience some powerful performances.
Hendrickson addresses how she prepared for the scenes in which Chloe found out about Delia’s hit and run accident that claimed her life, working with Y&R’s executive producer Jill Farren Phelps during key scenes, (who has taken much heat for this storyline), and addresses the audiences reaction to the unfolding events on-screen. Here are a few excerpts below!
Elizabeth on the audience reaction to the death of Delia and losing Sophie Pollono (Delia) from the cast: “I felt really bad because when I first heard about the storyline as I said, I was excited to have this great emotional stuff and then to hear all the fans be so upset about it, I felt almost insensitive to the fact that I didn’t really think about how it was going to affect our audience. I think that, obviously, everyone has the fight to how they feel. No one wants to see a child die. But I think that after everyone has seen everyone’s performances, I feel like the blow isn’t as hard because now they can just, you know – at the end of the day we’re just telling a story. I hate that it’s a heart wrenching story, but thankfully this is not real life. (Laughs) She didn’t really die, she’s living a great life. She’s back in school, she’s an amazing actress and she’s going to have an awesome career.”
Elizabeth on working with executive producer Jill Farren Phelps in this storyline: ” Through this storyline, I can’t remember the last time that I’ve seen an executive producer be there every second, every minute. While they did the remote out in Griffith Park, I know that she was there until 5 o’clock in the morning. And that’s what it should always be like. She obviously cares very much and her coming into – I always think it’s difficult when they’re walking into a company and everyone’s kind of freaked out when anyone comes in because “What are they gonna change and what are they going to take over” and I’ve got to say that I think the show is the strongest it’s been since I’ve been there.”
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
Elizabeth on prepping for the huge emotional moment when Chloe finds out Delia has died: “Billy Miller came over the day before and we talked about it. And when it really came down to the day of and preparing myself, I locked myself in my dressing room for six hours because they were running kind of late, so I had a lot of time to just sit there and be somber. And that went along with depressing music.”
Elizabeth on Jill Phelps pulling her back during her take during the scene between Chloe and Kevin after Chloe realizes Delia is dead and tries to process it: “I remember Jill, in the scene with Kevin and Chloe where she’s talking about not being able to hear her voice or see her, we had to do that a couple of times because Jill just came out and said, ‘I can’t have this. The viewers won’t be able to watch anymore.’ (Laughs) To me I just thought ‘well she just lost her child! I’m going to the very depths of my soul and reaching everywhere I possibly could.’ [Laughs] But watching the show in its entirety, I do understand what she was saying.”
So Y&R fans, what do you think about Elizabeth’s comments on the controversial storyline? What have you thoughts of Hendrickson’s performances? Comment below!
Great performance.
I’m never a fan of killing a child to drive story on a soap. Especially since this story seems like “BJ’s heart” gone terribly wrong. I do not discount the wonderful acting thanks to the story but the what-if remains – what if the actors were given awesome material [without] having to kill a child to do it?
If this storyline was written so the actors could shine, how sad is that? They had to kill off a child to give the actors good material. I lay the blame for this pitiful story right at the feet of Ms. Phelps and her writing staff. Are they so lazy that they had to duplicate a story already told twice on Y&R (Cassie and Colleen)? Do they have no imagination whatsoever? Can’t they come up with some new ideas? Daytime tv is not about killing children – its about romance, intrigue, beautiful people – its not about everlasting sadness. We aren’t over Cassie’s death yet and now we have another death to deal with. Sorry Ms. Hendrickson if this is the depths that the staff at Y&R had to sink to then maybe its time to watch something else.
I understand that it is awful to see a child killed on the soaps but thank God that its not real… But since when is the soaps not allowed to write about things that really can and do happen in real life, for the sake of people’s feelings… I feel everyone is a little too in their feelings. I know that all kinds of shows and movies the writers intention is to make people feel real hurt and pain and to realize that this can and has happened to do many… It’s not just about the death if a little girl but also about how the human mind works how we grieve and handle certain situations in life… Maybe their are people who may learn something from this… That this can happen to anyone and that it has happened to many…
I agree totally..
I still feel just awful about “The Killing of Delia” but I have to say once again the acting is wonderful . I’m not convinced this was the way to go but here we are still grieving !! I guess the writers got what they wanted but I don’t think it was needed for a story … I remember how sad it was when Delia had leukemia if she had died it was a wake up call that there is treatment , she survived that and she should have survived anything in my opinion . Elizabeth’s thoughts and statement is naive of course we will take this hard , we are invested with little Delia , we love her ……. Sooo glad this isnt reality ! Not entertaining
I agree with all your comments Gloria.
Surely you don’t expect an actress to speak against her Executive Producer???
Ditto. This woman is full of BS!
If she was just ten years older, Jill Farren Phelps would kick her out the door.
Every interview I have seen from an actor over there at Y&R is the same old BS I guess they all have a gun to their head. Thank gosh for Michelle Stafford out their doing her own thing and loving it and having success. She actually beat old JFP at her own game.
Oops I believe the correct word is there!
Suoerb acting by all. Bravo!!! But I don’t like theway Y& R kills off kids
The most telling thing I read was Phelps saying, “they (the fans) are really going to hate me for this”.
But I’m doing it anyway. I guess that’s her “vision” for YR. My way and “f” the fans.
Yeah i’m not a big fan of JFP either i remember one year Anthony Geary won the emmy and he was saying that the actress he was working with the on e that played Skye on GH and they shot to her and she was shaking her head saying don’t say that. So no i’ve not tuned into to YR that much since she’s been at the helm.
Yes, that was the first thing that stuck out about the read was Phelps…she doesn’t give a damn about the audience or their loyalty or concerns.
YR is forever gone and makes me want to wale up inside and cry…not bs here!
WELL IT BROKE MY HEART ,BUT AT LEAST IT MADE ME FEEL .CAN’T STAND THE MOB CRAP ON GH,DON’T WANT TO WATCH THAT,
Well at least the mob (which is 4 people haaaa) do not kill children and give me sadness and depression..
I don’t want to watch a show where the charactors kill their own sister and others like its nothing,
When I read a book, whether all at once or over a space of time I am investing a few hours of my time and emotions into the characters. If I watch a movie I am investing at most three hours, but often less into those characters. If a watch prime time series I am investing an half hour to hour once a week for 13 to 20 weeks a year for one to ten years for most shows. A soap is different because I have invested an hour a day, five days a week for 30 plus years for this particular one.
I remember when the characters Chloe and Billy were born. I sort of watched them grow up– most SORAS, but nonetheless, I was there to watch it. That is quite the investment and when soap opera writers do story lines like this one they cheat me out of my investment. Can you imagine if some short sighted writer in days gone by decided to kill off Adam when he was a child? Or Victoria? Or Nicholas? Or Noah, Or Lily, etc.
My point is all the wonderful stories I got for my investment in those characters from birth to adulthood paid off. But by killing off Delia, they didn’t just kill off a character, they killed the potential this character could have given viewer in years to come. It is so much easier to have long time viewers invest in characters they know and see grow up before their eyes than to accept new characters thrown in just to be thrown in. I do get writer don’t get royalties for characters they did not create– so they have no investment in them, but I did, so it does tick me off to see them kill a generational character off for a lame reason, like ratings.
The sad truth is the vision behind this show, the one who gave birth to the legacy characters, Bill Bell, is gone. His creation is now in the hands of strangers who do not love, or even like these characters the way he did. Until someone is writing this show, who wishes to fulfill Mr. Bell vision for the show, the show will slowly evolved into something unrecognizable to long time viewers.
Killing a character in soap with long term ties to show is always a risk, and if the story was a good one, I could even accept those characters dying- but this story wasn’t even that compelling. The acting saved most of it, but I didn’t invest my time to see great performances, I am invested in watching the story and the characters. I used to act– and I know from experience and training if the audience is more impressed with your performance than connecting emotionally to the character — then trust me, the actor isn’t doing his or her job.
Last year, when I watched the character Paul shoot his own son– I wasn’t thinking how good Doug Davidson was acting– I was feeling Paul’s heart breaking into a thousand pieces– and that why Mr. Davidson richly deserved his Emmy. For me, in this story other than few moments here and there, I was far too aware of actors trying to act sad than feel the pain of their characters.
. And yes, I know it is FICTION– but if you ever read a book, or saw a movie and you hated the ending or were disappointed how it was told– then try to understand that disappointment is ten times worse for a long time viewer of soap who invested far more time into following these characters than any novel or movie.
Totally agree. I have watched this show from the very beginning and have formed attachments with the characters. They did not have to kill her. I know it is just a story, but I think it was a bad idea also.
Well said.
Totally agree with Mary as well. It seems a desperate act and so sad to kill yet anotherchild on y & r. The aftermath is devastating and long-lasting for both characters and fans. Now this tragic storyline will have to be forever woven into the fabric of the show. And I don’t like what I fear is going to happen to adam over this. He deserves some redemption. And victor NEEDS to develop at least a little bit of heart!!!!
I think that I really miss Delia so much in the show
I watch soaps for entertainment, not become depressed..
Y&R has no entertainment value, it is void of humor, mystery, adventure, thrills and surprises..
I do not want watch the sadness and torment of families over a child’s death, it lingers on after I watched..
I want my day happy, not engulfed with sadness and depression..
I still watch for the very short scenes of other stories (soon not worth my effort and time) I FF through all the doom & gloom, it is not welcomed in my life, especially not from day time tv ..
I am not a gawker of a child’s death; drama …
Reading the interview, I have tears in my eyes just remembering the depth of emotion acted by Elizabeth. It was some of the best I’ve ever seen and that includes feature films. With regards to storyline, the show has always pushed the envelope in scripts but with messages. Cassie’s death held a great message and even featured a PSA by Michael G. after one episode about safe driving and not drinking & driving. With Delia’s death one such powerful message was never, ever to leave a child or pet in a vehicle even if for a minute. Look what happened in this Delia storyline. Even though it’s not ‘real,’ sadly, in real life many children are injured, killed, or even abducted from being in a vehicle without an adult. The other huge message is that in a time of immense, unfathomable grief of the loss of a child or other family member, there can be a small outcome that does indeed honour the beloved lost to all in death. To consider and agree to organ donation is truly a most amazing miracle for the recipient who may never know the family who were so generous. As a former Critical Care RN, I have been involved in many stages of this process and always felt humbled by the donation and also the miracle. To increase dialogue about this subject in all ways with this storyline is one amazing outcome that Y&R has instigated. On Twitter, there have been many discussing transplantation at length. It takes a very brave stance for both writers and actors to plunge into the depths I have recently seen on Y&R in recent weeks. I applaud them all, including crew, editing, music additions, hair & make-up. It is a team effort and these recent shows, I will never forget. Thanks to them all at the CBS studios who work tirelessly to bring our daytime drama.
I have been an avid Y&R viewer for years and I am probably done. I cannot believe that JFP is so intent on repeating this same depressing story on each and every soap she becomes associated with. Is it the only story she knows how to present? It is beginning to look like it is. Of course I have been wondering since she was hired as EP if the employment pool for that position is so slim that she somehow manages to talk her way out of taking responsibility for the damage she has done on other shows. If somebody had not finally wised up at ABC and let her go GH wouldn’t even be on the air today. Of course I am painfully aware that she does not care at all about the fans and supporters of any given show she is in charge of and that is really a shame.
As a grandmother of 2 young granddaughters this has been an emotional week watching Y&R. Although I do applaud the actors for their performance, it’s heartbreaking at the same time to watch. I don’t remember crying so much with any soap as I have with Y&R the last few months. I wish this could just be a bad dream for Billy or Chloe. Though I realize this is just a show, in my opinion, the sadness for some fans, myself included, have been constant since the death of Jeanne Cooper, Mrs C.
Donna I agree with you I also have 2 granddaughters with one almost a spit image of Delia. If only this could be a dream. I’ve stated before I’ve been with TY&TR since the beginning but no longer. NO MORE SOAPS FOR ME
The very first time I watched the Young and Restless was that Friday when they killed Delia. I have been watching ever since. We recently lost a young family friend due to a car crash. This storyline is real life! The guilt. The what if’s. Connor just needed a cornea transplant. Adam’s guilt. The acting performed especially by Elizabeth and Billy is amazing!
Why do I get the impression that you’re at FOJ?! Someone put out by JFP to write the drivel that you just wrote?! Gag me with a spoon!
You are entitled to your trite and rude comments, but I must comment that they are cold and calculating. We did just lose a young friend in a car crash. His dad was saying the “wat if’s”at the wake, and his mom looked so sullen and dead herself. It constantly amazes me that people like yourself has time to insult other’s opinions. The immaturity that you posess astonishes me!
By the way, don’t slip on on “drivel” as you call my opinion with that rusty spoon in your mouth!
you like to be sad and depressed and wallow in the pain of losing a child by watching the torment of the grief play out on a daytime soap, yuck.. lol
I agree that you are entitled to your opinion. I must say, though, you Young and Restless fans who were mean and took my opinion out of context, thank you! Now I know why I am a loyal ABC, GH and Frank Valentini and Ron Carlviti fan!! I was just commenting on the acting of the actors and actually they have grown since being on another ABC soap All My Children. If you all keep complaining, you will lose your soap like I lost One Life To Live and All My Children.
Valerie– the trouble with these message boards is when some people cannot find a solid argument to debate their point some resort to personal attacks. I have gotten a few myself. It usually has nothing to do with which soap they are watching, it is just the way they are, you handle yourself beautifully– class act, kudos to you.
If this is your first experience with Y&R you have no previous experience to judge this story line from the past. If you think this story is good, you should have seen this show in it’s glory days. Unfortunately many of us who do remember those days, aren’t as impressed because we know this story line isn’t being told to tell a compelling story, but to quick start the ratings which have been falling. It was a stunt– it would sorta be like GH killing off little Emma for no good reason in same way. Yeah, the story would be gut wrenching, but you can’t tell me GH fans wouldn’t be up in arms if they did that?
Again, I am sorry some of fans of show put you down for your opinion, and I hope you will continue to watch the show— despite them. I only wish you saw the show when it was good as GH is right now. And finally, my prayers go out to those who lost their loved ones in that car accident you mentioned. Somethings we get upset about fictional characters dying we forget to notice the tragedies around us in our own communities. Take care.
Mary, thank you for your kind words. You are right. I did not know the background of The adelua storyline. GH kind of did that year’s ago when they killed off BJ. I was so shocked!! Tony Jones was never the same! Yes, I am still watching Y&R. I know these actors from the daytime emmys!!!! Thank you again!!
Love Chole hate JFP…that bitch has got to go she has killed every soap and older female character from Beverly Mckinsey to Jeanne Cooper
Umm, she didn’t have much choice with Jeanne Cooper since she…ACTUALLY DIED!!!
JFP needs to be
I think they should change the storyline and have Adam wake up to realize it was a nightmare regarding what would happen to a family in order for his son to have sight…because the way it is going sucks because of all people to have hit Delia it HAD to be Adam? He gets ALL the bad luck – poor guy!!! I am Team Adam and want some good luck coming his way for once!!!
I would have like this story better if they hadn’t made Adam the fall guy. I can already hear all the horrible nasty things everyone in town is going to say to him when they find out. Even if eventually we find out someone else hit the girl, we will have to endure the inevitable scenes of Adam bashing from every character on the show when they think it was him. And more than likely they will charge him with murder, believing he did it on purpose to get corneas for his kid. It is so predictable. It this was just about a tragic accident– which do happen– with no one to blame— it would have been more compelling to me, but having this Adam angle and all the vile crap that is going to come his way thrown in– is so yesterday’s news— remember the Kangaroo court at the Abbott cabin?
Has killing off fan favorite characters become the norm of soap EPs and HWs. Isn’t there enough misery in almost every corner of this world. Why do they have to come up with stories involving death including those of innocent children. Soaps are supposed to bring entertainment and joy after a hard day’s work. But looks like misery likes company and now that is extended to soap stories. The EPs and writers seem to have run out of ideas or do not know what to do with the characters they create. So, the easiest solution is to kill them off! And, now that the queen of cluelessness, JP, has been hired by Y&R as HW; it remains to be seen how many characters she kills off by throwing them under a train or bus or car or has them shot in her pathetic SLs and plots,
Please quit making Adam the fall guy for everything getting sick of it!!!!!!!!!! Michelle Stafford was such a loss for the show hard to keep watching. Killing a child really for what storyline? Let me guess Adam you guys are starting to SUCK!!!!
25 Year devoted watcher about to end!!!!!
Rhonda
I don’t like the story. I don’t like them making Adam the bad guy. Yes, they actors have been doing a good job, but their acting has never been the problem. It’s the story and writing and I’m not a fan.
No longer watching. To sad watching a child die.
I wished they hadn’t killed Delia off… however the acting and the entire treatment of it has been heartwrenchingly well done!!! Enjoyed hearing her comments and I understand why the actors like these heartwrenching scenes… it’s great exercise for their talent and it has to make working more rewarding. It’s just difficult to kill off a child…
Liz has been terrific in this SL. Really knocking it out the park for me!
love love LOVE Lizzie Hendrickson. Girlfriend can act and glad she got to shine. People die on soaps all the time. I don’t love a dead kid but if it gets good story then thats all i want.
I have watched this show all my life. I cried so hard with this one. The actors really did a great job but wish she didn’t have to go. She was a great little actress. Chloe and Billy I felt for them like no other, and Vikki I felt for her to, the not know what to do or say. My husband just lost his mom and that’s hard not knowing how to make the pain stop. And when she told Nick that she had to be the stronge one that hit home because I remembered saying those exact words to him. But y’all need to bring back the upbeat of the show.
Have been watching this show for years but I am sick of the killing off the kids..a rerun of GH…please get a new writer before the show goes down the drain…I want to watch smut, fun and drama…not killing kids…get a clue and get off of the writers chair JP as you suck. I am going to watch something else in your slot
Can’t take the sadness any longer. Please make this a dream!!!!!!
You deserve an Academy Award for your performance. Your scenes go down in history mirroring Judith Light’s courtroom scenes as one of Soap’s best performances!
I have read comments hoping Delia is still alive. I saw it in a different way that the writers did a great job of killing off Delia’s character.
If I were the writers/producers I would get very creative in timely manner and figure out a way to swap the dying child as an unknown homeless child that was in the bushes who Adam will pay for Connor’s donated eyes. And the little doggy helps Delia escape (unharmed) and return to her family with a slightly different look, yet a new lovable face we fall in love with.
Then… Maybe just maybe, Y&R will get there viewers back so we don’t have to watch on Hula like we do All My Children.
My original thoughts… Your performance was flawless! Your tears were gut wrenchingly real! You reminded us of every emotion we experienced when we lost someone we loved.
The thing I hate most about this stupid storyline is that its all to create drama around Adam. The cornea transplants etc. but what makes me maddest is all the discussion about finding out “who killed this little girl and left her to die” uum her father did..who the heck leaves a little kid in a car in the dark by themselves outside a store. No one is saying anything about this, but that was the horrible irresponsible act, adam didnt expect a little kid to be on the road in the dark at night..he stopped for the stupid dog and didnt even realize he hit her. Billy is responsible, adam was an accident, the whole thing is a stupid way to give fodder for adam and billy to fight..what kind of irresponsible moron leaves a little kid in a car in the dark outside a sketchy convenience store..thats a much bigger flaw in the contrived story
I feel Adam should quickly be cleared of the car accident and Billy charged with child neglect resulting in deedee’s death.
I mean, Adam’s car was not the car involved. It was a total stranger’s car that hit the child, a woman whose scarf was blowing out the open window and ended up tangled on the bushes which caught in Adams spinning tier. The piece of plastic found on the ground didn’t fit his broken light.
The death of Delia is very realistic. It is great to see how each character reacts to her death, as in real life. What great storytelling, unfortunately very depressing, but this is life. The acting has been SUPERB by each and everyone of them. It will be difficult to see who gets the Emmys for this storyline. The actors have had to be emotionally spent by the events that have occurred and still to occur with Adam’s involvment. Will he fess up or will he end up committing suicide as a resut of his actions? Can’t wait to see how it all plays out. GREAT acting by all and yes– it does happen in real life— AND everyone reacts differently to death/grief process which is quite evident in the storyline. Yes– difficult to watch but portrayed as it should be. Congrats to all the actors.
The death of Delia is very realistic. It is great to see how each character reacts to her death, as in real life. What great storytelling, unfortunately very depressing, but this is life. The acting has been SUPERB by each and everyone of them. It will be difficult to see who gets the Emmys for this storyline. The actors have had to be emotionally spent by the events that have occurred and still to occur with Adam’s involvment. Will he fess up or will he end up committing suicide as a resut of his actions? Can’t wait to see how it all plays out. Congrats to all the actors for accurately portraying the emotions experienced in real life with the loss of a child.
Amazing acting..horrible story line. The killing of a child is just too raw.
Does anyone know anything about the haunting music played in Adam’ scenes?
I’ve been a longtime viewer of Y&R and all the CBS soaps. Never can I remember feeling the need to comment about a storyline as I do about this one. So sorry the writers found it necessary to go in this direction. Can’t keep from watching and I suppose that’s what they were going for but I hope somehow they save this from losing all their viewers . Turn this around so we can feel good about staying with you.
I think you did an excellent job learning and grieving the lost of a child. Keep up the good work….I enjoy watching you.
Kind of a late comment, but I just came across this.
The episode where Delia died was the last episode my sister and I ever watched, or plan to watch.
Yes, I know bad things happen in real life, and the death of a character is dramatic, but killing off a child character is too much. Normally I do not think about the show that much except when I was watching, but found myself angry and upset about this writing decision. Certainly did not want to watch the funeral, and all the angst of grief and guilt going on for who knows how long.
I’ve been finding the story lines and character development erring too much on the side of sad, stupid, and uninteresting, so this was the last straw.
After getting home from a long day of work and a crazy commute I used to love unwinding as I watch my favourite soap, Y&R. I’ve been a fan since 1974. But the story lines are all over the place and they are doom and gloomy and make very little sense. Why in heaven’s name would they kill off Delia and have Adam be involved in that manner? I don’t care that it gives the actors good material to work with and show how good they are at their craft…we were still grieving the loss of Mrs. Chancellor. Now I hear that Billy is leaving the show, and both Kyle and Adam have been let go. I have been fast forwarding through all the grieving scenes with Billy and Chloe because they are too much of a downer. I was so thrilled to see Chelsea and Adam find their way back to each other. With Michael Muhney gone and all these constant re-casting of the roles, I’m no longer being entertained and having fun. Time to say goodbye…
I was amazed by Elizabeth’s performance in the Delia tragic death storyline. Her heartbreak came across as so real and personal , she had me in tears. I hope that they find out that it wasn’t Adam that killed Delia, I think him and Chelsea really do need a chance at a life togetther.
Watched the death of Delia in Australia this week. Not a fan of killing off a child and then of course Adam being blamed for it being called a ‘monster’ for not stopping etc etc. First time ever I stopped watching and have not gone back to another episode. Just too much piled onto Adam and too much to watch the death of Delia.
Why do they keep boring characters like Lily and Kane, I did read once not sure if it was true but they won’t bring Drucilla back (her body was never found) because the the actress who plays Lily doesn’t want her back as she does not like her. Like l said not sure if it’s true. Get rid of boring characters, cannot understand why they killed off Delia,
They seem to get a lot of story lines wrong, what do Lily and Kane do? Always the perfect family.
I stop watching for while because I have granddaughter about Deliah age and I did’t like how story went.
A year and a half later, every time ithink of little Delia’s death, it still brings me to tears. I will never forgive whoever thought this was a good idea.’
Me Too 🙁 It still bothers many of us Fans out there that there was Never really any closure on this story.back then when she died,they said in a february sweeps that it was going to be a female blonde driverand some kept thinking it was Nikki, many of us Believed it was Kelly upon driving into GC. and Pratt decided tochange it at the last minute blaming Adam. Not Right,even to this day.
This summer beginning on July 21, Netflix streams the return of WWE: Unreal for its third season. The behind the scenes docudrama series gives fans a glimpse of life in WWE and inside the writers room, as injuries, last-minute pivots, and career-defining decisions reshape WWE’s biggest event of the year, WrestleMania 42.
WWE Unreal is taking fans deeper than ever inside World Wrestling Entertainment’s creative process, The hit docuseries will once again pull back the curtain on some of the biggest moments, boldest decisions, and unforgettable storytelling with some of the WWE’s greatest legends who’ve shaped the industry and new stars who are emerging as prominent parts of the future.
In the new season of ‘Unreal’ which consists of 5 episodes at 50 minutes each: John Cena says goodbye, a fan favorite returns, and the next generation of Superstars rise to the occasion.
Photo: WWE
The cast and WWE superstars featured include: the aforementioned Cena, plus Cody Rhodes, Liv Morgan, CM Punk, AJ Lee, Trick Williams, Lash Legend, Stephanie Vaquer, Oba Femi, Bron Breakker, Chelsea Green, Matt Cardona, Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.
As previously reported AJ Lee revealed on General Hospital star Maurice Benard’s (Sonny Corinthos) mental health series, State of Mind, that she was part of the cast of WWE: Unreal.
WWE: Unreal production credits include: Directors/Showrunners: Chris Weaver and Erik Powers Executive Producers: Peyton Manning, Jamie Horowitz, Ross Ketover, Keith Cossrow, Ken Rodgers, Jessica Boddy, Lee Fitting, Ben Houser, Marc Pomarico Sr. Producers: Harley Glantz, Brian Decker, Michael Flynn Producers: John Galiani, Dan Gati, Jeremy Lundblad Production Companies: Omaha Productions, NFL Films, Skydance Sports, WWE.
So, what do you think of the loglines for the new season of WWE: Unreal? Who are you most excited to see featured in the behind the scenes drama from the list of WWE superstars and the twists and turns leading into this past April’s WrestleMania 42? Let us know via the comment section below.
If you have ever tuned-in to the soap opera genre over the last 50 years, and witnessed some of the greatest romances, drama, classic and outlandish storylines of all-time, you would have seen Deidre Hall smack dab in the middle of it as longtime Salem heroine, Dr. Marlena Evans.
It was 50 years on this date, June 21, 1976 that Hall first appeared on DAYS on NBC which was its home for 57 years before it moved to its current streaming platform on Peacock in September of 2022.
In Hall’s first episode she was introduced as a psychiatrist treating Mickey Horton (John Clarke) at Bayview Sanitarium after he suffered a complete mental breakdown. Mickey learned that his brother Bill Horton (Edward Mallory) was the biological son of Mike Horton (Wesley Eure) with his wife Laura (Susan Flannery) and that he had been lied to for years and years. From that moment on, the rest is television and soap opera history. Days of Our Lives put Hall front and center.
Photo: NBC
There were so many heartbreaking and shocking story twists involving the beloved Marlena. One of the first was the historic crib death of baby DJ (Don Jr.) in 1980, Marlena’s infant son with Don Craig (Jed Allan). The story had never been told on daytime television and Hall’s performances received accolades from TV critics to fans when Deidre received thousands of letters from grieving mothers who had gone through the same thing in their own lives.
DAYS also brought Deidre’s twin sister, Andrea Hall Lovell to the show as her on-screen sister Samantha, who had a grudge and even locked Marlena up in a sanitarium and took her place! Fast-forward and in 1982, DAYS launched the Salem Strangler story where everyone believed Marlena was his next victim, only it turned out to be Samatha. Jake Kositchek (played by Jack Coleman) was revealed to be the actual serial killer.
Later, Deidre would assume the role of Marlena’s look-alike, Hattie Adams in 2004, once played by her sister, Andrea. Over the years, Hattie has come back to Salem and caused trouble giving Hall a chance to play a different type of character, then the always upstanding Marlena.
Photo: JPI
THE LOVES OF MARLENA
Deidre Hall struck gold with all her leading men: from the late Jed Allan, to Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady, and of course, her enduring love story with the late John Black played by the iconic Drake Hogestyn. In fact, Marlena’s 1986 wedding to John (who was believed to be Roman at the time) remains a favorite of fans to this day.
TOP MARLENA STORYLINES OF ALL-TIME
While the list is long, here are several that were some of the memorable during Deidre’s five decades in Salem!
The Possession (1994- 1995)
Considered one of the most ambiguous, outlandish and unforgettable story arcs in soap opera history, then Days of Our Lives head writer, James Reilly went there! Marlena was possessed by the devil! That included; the demonic eyes, hissing at father John (Black) the priest, morphing into creatures, and the classic levitating in her bed! It became a cultural phenomenon and cemented Deidre Hall’s status as a daytime television legend. Just ask Ryan Gosling!
Photo:JPI
The Affair with John Black (1993)
John and Marlena’s forbidden love could not be denied and they had passionate affair, while she was still married to the real Roman. Problem was her daughter, Sami (Alison Sweeney) caught her mother having sex with John on a desk that changed Sami forever.
The Salem Stalker Mystery (2003-2004)
In a shocker, Marlena was revealed to be a serial killer who bumped off several Salem favorites residents who were all alive on the island of Melaswen (spelled “New Salem” backward). Turns out, she was manipulated and gaslighted by Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) to do the “killings” and had no memory of her actions.
The Pier Scene (1991)
This remains Michael Fairman TV’s all-time favorite Deidre Hall moment, which featured some of the best acting in the storied careers of both Hall and Drake Hogestyn.
In the story, a presumed-dead Marlena returns after four years. One foggy night on the pier, John is alone, and Marlena steps out of the fog to reveal herself, and is reunited with the love of her life. You can watch it any year, any decade, and in any moment, and it will have you reaching for the hankies again and again. (best music score fo a soap scene of all-time too!)
Photo: NBC
Kristen’s Secret Room Reveal (1997)
Marlena was caught in Kristen Blake’s (Eileen Davidson) elaborate web of lies, when she was held hostage in a secret wine cellar/room until John managed to track her down, leading to an iconic on-screen reunion. The classic catfight between Hall and Eileen Davidson was one for the ages.
It should be noted that Maison Blanche, Queen of the Night, Possession, Aremid and Lady in a Cage were all a part of classic DAYS storyline and all featured Hall at the epicenter of it from 1993-1996.
THE RECENT YEARS OF MARLENA
In recent years, DAYS brought back the possession 2.0 storyline under then head writer Ron Carlivati in 2021 where the devil leapt back in Marlena after taking advantage of a frail Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes)
In 2025, viewers watched the end of the love story of John and Marlena, as John succumbed to injuries sustained in an explosion saving a vial of medication needed to bring Bo (Peter Reckell) back to life. Marlena has been a widow on-screen since June of 2025 as Hall as portrayed the good doctor struggling with her grief and to move on with her life since his death.
Photo: JPI
One story that never goes away is Stefano DiMera’s (the late Joe Mascolo) obsession with Marlena, his “Queen of the Night.” Even in death, Stefano is toying with her from the great beyond with the mysterious chess set and the missing “pawn,” that he had gifted John and Marlena in his will. The mystery is currently unfolding on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives.
Tune-in to Days of our Lives on the Monday, June 22 episode as Marlena looks back at her 50 years in Salem.
Share your congratulations to Deidre Hall for this incredible 50-year milestone as Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives in the comment section. Then let us know, what is your all-time favorite storyline or moment in the life of Marlena over the past 5 decades? And, just for kicks, and to celebrate this amazing milestone, here is Marlena levitating below circa Christmas Eve 1994.
General Hospital
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
With the highly-anticipated returns of Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) on this week’s June 24 episode of General Hospital, Steve Burton’s (Jason Morgan) upcoming return on July 13, which also serves as the ABC daytime drama’s 16,000 episode, things are about to fire on all cylinders in the story, as noted today by series star, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos).
On Father’s Day, the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor and mental health activist took to his Instagram and expressed in a video that he has some unbelievable upcoming senes with the aforementioned Burton and Hughes. Add to that Nazneen Contractor (Justine Turner) and Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing), where Benard gave credit where credit is due to the GH writing team, which is led by co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten..
In this video, Benard said, “I just want to get on here and say that I did some work with Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Rick Hearst, Nazneen Contractor, and they’re all just fantastic. Truly fantastic. But, I want to say the writing was just exceptional. It truly was. It was exceptional. So, thankful for that kind of writing. I know writers don’t get the credit a lot, but I just want to say to the General Hospital writing team, keep rolling!”
GENERAL HOSPITAL PREVIEW
So now the question becomes, with a major tease like that, what is about to go down between Sonny, Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric? Will we finally get to the end of the line for Sidwell (Carlo Rota), as previously teased by the GH co-head writers? Will we learn what happened to Jason and Anna, fully? Will Justine and Sonny becomes closer or stop their liaisons? And what of Ric? Will he be true blue to his brother or double-cross him? There is a lot at stake as we move further into the summer and one that looks like it could be one of the more exciting ones in years!
FINOLA HUGHES CONFIRMED AMAZING SCENES WITH MAURICE BENARD
As a punctuation point to his video, Benard also shared this written message in the post: “I just did some wonderful scenes with Steve Burton, Rick Hearst, Finola Hughes and Nazneen Contractor and and unbelievable writing, freaking amazing scenes that you will see in the near future on General Hospital.” In fact, Finola Hughes jumped in the post comment thread and responded, “I loved our scenes so much xxx”
Fans will most likely see all the scenes Benard referred to later in July, since GH tapes approximately six weeks ahead of air.
So, are you excited to see what Maurice is talking about? Are you hyped for what’s to come on GH? Any clue on what you think will go down between the main characters on the soap with the returns of Anna Devane and Jason Morgan to the mix? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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