News
Y&R's Stephen Nichols speaks on his shocking new role!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
The soap shocker of the week had former DAYS fan fave, Stephen Nichols, replacing William Russ in the new role of Tucker McCall on Y&R! Russ had only aired a few weeks and already the soap decided to make a switch. In a great interview out today with TV Guide Magazine. Nichols lets us in on how the quick recast happens, what we can expect from his “Tucker” and his thoughts on the demise of Patch and Kayla! Here are some excerpts!
Nichols on how he stepped into the role with a chance phone call from the shows execs: “I tend to be a very lucky person. My wife reminds me of that all the time, and this is yet another stroke of good luck, especially because the call came from Y&R. Every actor who works on soaps flips channels in his dressing room and every time I landed on Y&R I’d find the acting to be fantastic. I wasn’t laughing at anything. Nothing seemed hokey and stupid. The production values were great. The writing was better than most. And now, on my first day here, I picked up my scripts and could not believe it. There wasn’t one sentence or phrase that was hinky, nothing I felt had to be fixed, and that’s really refreshing. There’s total organization at Y&R. The characters are solid, and the stories are character-driven from what I can tell. And all the actors are exemplary. There isn’t a weak link in the whole bunch and I’ve never done a show where that’s been the case.
Nichols on filming scenes as Tucker: “I had some great scenes today with Jess Walton [Jill] and Jeanne Cooper [Kay] and Daniel Goddard [Cane]. Tucker is coming in to take away everybody’s toys. I really like this guy. He did not come from money but rather he’s a self-made success, a regular guy who can tend bar and shoot pool and talk s–t with anybody. He’s very unassuming in many ways.”
Nichols on being dropped by DAYS with on-screen partner Mary Beth Evans, along with Deidre Hall and Drake Hogetyn in late 2008 and early 2009: “It was unfortunate. But I have to say that from the moment I came back to that show I could see it was in disarray. It just seemed to be really schizophrenic. Nobody had a real vision or thru-line as to what was happening with the stories and the characters. The show was all over the place. So I knew from the get-go that we might not last. Mary Beth and I had a talk about that right at the beginning. We were like, “We better not get too comfortable here. This could end at any moment.” That’s how crazy things were. Plus, with the economy and the budget being cut, it didn’t look good. Ed Scott came into the picture [as executive producer] and morale went up and all the actors were happy, but then there was another [executive producer] change. It was all about politics and personalities and dollars and cents. They fired four expensive people and that’s the reality. I did not take it personally one bit.”
i used to watch y&r because of nick and phyllis..however, since MAB destroyed what they had and the wonderful character of phyllis played by the best actress in daytime, Michelle Stafford it has been hard to watch. I adore Stephen Nichols and have for over 20 years. From Days to GH and back to Days, he has and always will be my favorite. How about MAB be smart this time and pair the great Michelle Stafford with the great Stephen Nichols. What a dynamic duo they would make, sexy, naughty and smart.!
Breaking News
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
For those who were holding out hope that Daytime Emmy winner and fan favorite, Nicholas Chavez would be returning to General Hospital after filming his leading role in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology, it looks like those hopes have been dashed.
According to a report from TV Line, although unconfirmed from General Hospital or a representative for Chavez, the actor will not reprise his role as Spencer Cassadine on the long-running ABC soap opera and continue the love story of Sprina opposite Tabyana Ali (Trina, GH).
Chavez was cast as Lyle Menendez over the the summer of 2023 for the second season of Murphy’s limited Monsters series on Netflix. In the upcoming season, the series will focus on the the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the two well-to-do Beverly Hills brothers accused of murdering their parents in 1989.
Photo: ABC
After word from Chavez casting was revealed, GH fans were concerned over the fate of the Sprina story, a spokesperson for GH shared, “We support Nicholas’ endeavors and look forward to having him return to General Hospital once this project is wrapped.”
In story, the series “killed off” Spencer when he went overboard with Esme to the steely waters below after being injected with a drug, thanks to Esme and falling into the Seine River in France. However, his body was never recovered, and believed to have drowned or washed away. Thus, leaving an opening for Spencer to return in the form of Chavez or be recast down the line.
Photo: ABC
TV Line shared that ‘multiple sources’ are confirming that Chavez is not returning to the ABC soap opera, which is what many had suspected might be the case once he left for this major starring role in a Ryan Murphy project. Chavez has been relatively quiet on social media for months.
Photo: ABC
The Michael Fairman Channel spoke with Nicholas Chavez for a virtual interview when he first joined the show in 2021, and spoke to him right after when he won the Daytime Emmy in 2022 – you can see those below.
No word yet on when Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story will debut on Netflix, but it is assumed later this year.
So, what do you think about the news of Nicholas Chavez not returning to his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital? Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS and ‘Supernatural’ Alum Jensen Ackles Joins the Cast of Justin Hartley’s CBS Series ‘Tracker’
Look who’s joining Justin Hartley’s hit freshman drama, Tracker! None other than another soap alum, former Days of our Lives and Supernatural favorite Jensen Ackles.
In a reveal via Hartley’s Instagram on Thursday, Ackles is set to play Hartley’s on-screen brother on the CBS procedural drama. In Tracker, Colter Shaw is estranged from his brother, Russell, which has been a big part of the mystery of season one.
Ackles is best known for his long run as Dean Winchester in The CW’s Supernatural, a role he reprised in the prequel of the series The Winchesters. He also recently starred in ABC’s Big Sky as Sheriff Beau Arlen and in The Boys as Soldier Boy.
Photo: CBS
Jensen was the original Eric Brady on Days of our Lives, a role he played from 1997-2000, before departing for the world of primetime and film. Eric was in love with Nicole played by Arianne Zucker. The part of Eric was recast with Greg Vaughan taking over the role in 2012.
Photo: JPI
In his Instagram post, Justin thanked everyone for watching Tracker, and then revealed Ackles as the surprise casting announcement in the role of Russell, while Jensen was playing pinball in the video! No word yet on when Jensen’s first episode as Russell will air. Stay tuned.
Check out Justin’s casting post featuring Jensen Ackles below. So, what do you think of Justin and Jensen playing brothers on Tracker? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
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General Hospital
Jack Wagner Open to Making an Appearance in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot and Shares, “You Never Really Die on a Soap”
With the Melrose Place revival the talk of the town, now Jack Wagner (ex-Frisco, GH, ex-Nick, B&B and ex-Peter Burns, MP) has weighed-in on it and if he would show up in the new series if it should find a home.
Currently, CBS Studios is developing a reboot starring Heather Locklear, Daphne Zuniga and Laura Leighton. But what is Dr. Peter Burns were to show up alive?
As those who saw the end of the original MP know, Peter and Amanda (Locklear) faked their deaths and then tied the knot with Peter on a beach, supposedly in a “happily ever after” scenario.
Photo: Fox
Speaking with PEOPLE, Wagner expressed, what we all know who watch the soaps, that no one is never, ever really gone for good. Jack expressed, “You never really die on a soap, right? How they unfold those two characters (Peter and Amanda), it’d be fantastic how they sort of tell that story.”
Wagner added, “That was a great finale to be included in, especially with Heather. If I’m asked to come back, I’d absolutely entertain that.”
Photo: Fox
The original Melrose Place aired for seven seasons from 1992 to 1999. The story featured the residents of an apartment complex, whose lives were intertwined. Eventually Wagner and Heather Locklear dated fro 2007-2011.
As previously reported, the new Melrose Place share that some of original neighbors and friends reunite after a death. The loglines add, “The pressure cooker of a reunion soon uncovers old traumas, rekindles old romances, reignites old resentments, and reveals new secrets… throwing our characters into chaotic drama that’s reminiscent of the past, but with a much more modern perspective.”
So, would you like to see Jack Wagner return as Dr. Peter Burns on Melrose Place, or Frisco Jones on GH, or both? Comment below.
Y&R’s Allison Lanier Lands Her First Daytime Emmy Nomination and Shares “Being a Recast Can Be Daunting”
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
DAYS and ‘Supernatural’ Alum Jensen Ackles Joins the Cast of Justin Hartley’s CBS Series ‘Tracker’
Jack Wagner Open to Making an Appearance in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot and Shares, “You Never Really Die on a Soap”
Wally Kurth Talks on His DAYS Daytime Emmy Nomination, His Emotional Scenes, and Remembering John Aniston
‘Knots Landing’s’ Donna Mills and Joan Van Ark Reunite for Los Angeles Ballet Season 18 Gala
Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital
‘Tracker’s’ Justin Hartley on His ‘Passions’ Soap Start, “They’d Have Me With No Shirt Walking Around a Hospital for Three Weeks. It Was Ridiculous, but I Loved It.”
The Young and the Restless and General Hospital Actress and Writer, Meg Bennett, Passes Away at 75
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
Cameron Mathison Previews New Game Show ‘Beat The Bridge’ (Promo)
Y&R’s Michelle Stafford Talks on Her Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nomination, Allison Lanier, and ‘Pacific Palisades’ with Finola Hughes
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina Confronts Ava for Sabotaging Her Relationship With Sonny and Signs the Divorce Papers
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