There seem to be quite a lot of comings and goings in the soap world, so here’s a scorecard to keep track:
— Josh Duhamel will return to All My Children as Leo in August. Fans are hoping that Leo is alive and will reunite with Greenlee (Rebecca Budig). Duhamel’s Leo first appeared in 1999 before plunging to his presumed death in November 2002. Also returning to AMC are Leven Rambin (Lily), Eva La Rue (Maria), Kate Collins (Janet), Jennifer Bassey (Marian) and Melissa Claire Egan (Annie). Apparently, Janet, Marian and Annie are all set to break out of Oak Haven psychiatric hospital, which is also holding a presumed-dead Dixie (Cady McClain).
— The Bold and the Beautiful’s Rick Hearst (Whip) was recently bumped to recurring.
— Days of our Lives has let go Crystal Chappell (Carly), Louise Sorel (Vivian), Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe), Tamara Braun (Taylor), Bren Foster (Quinn) and Francisco San Martin (Dario). Look for old favourites to return, including Deidre Hall (Marlena), Drake Hogestyn (John) and Matthew Ashford (Jack). 90210 guest-star Freddie Smith has been cast as Sonny, Justin and Adrienne’s son and rumored gay love interest for Will (Chandler Massey). Mark Hapka (Nathan) and Bryan Dattilo (Lucas) are also rumored to be returning to the soap. The “new” Days is set to debut in September with a big party or event in Salem. The new writers, Marlene McPherson and Darrell Ray Thomas will be joined by new co-executive producers, Noel Maxam and Greg Meng.
— New head writer Garin Wolf will bring back Ingo Rademacher’s Jax for a proper exit later this summer on General Hospital. Wolf is also planning to bring back old favourites (he told TV Guide: “sometimes they come back”). The first big return is Leslie Charleson as Monica. Meanwhile, Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo last airs as Brenda around July 14th. Wolf’s full material will begin airing the week of July 25th. Rumors of Tamara Braun’s return to GH were greatly exaggerated yesterday. The former Carly will not be returning as a new character to the soap.
— One Life to Live’s Joey and Kelly will leave Llanview together as Tom Degnan and Gina Tognoni will exit the soap this summer, before the soap’s January finale. Also leaving early is Robin Strasser (Dorian), who tapes her final episode on June 24th and David Fumero (Cristian). The soap’s scribe Ron Carlivati will head over to help write General Hospital once OLTL wraps up. Although the soap just killed off Gigi, look for Farah Fath to stick around for awhile.
— Over at The Young and the Restless, Melody Thomas Scott hasn’t taped any more episodes since Nikki checked into rehab. Meanwhile, three of her co-stars have new deals including Eileen Davidson (Ashley), Michael Muhney (Adam) and Billy Miller (Billy). Newcomer Jessica Heap has been cast as the new Eden.
