Recently in Guiding Light

Hunky GUIDING LIGHT Aussie Murray Bartlett (Cyrus) will be back on the small screen next year! The actor has been cast in one of the lead roles in an untitled HBO dramedy about a trio of gay friends living in San Francisco. The eight-episode series will also star GLEE and ONE LIFE TO LIVE alum Jonathan Groff (ex-Henry) and SMASH's Frankie J. Alvarez.

The networks recently revealed their upcoming primetime plans, and there are quite a few daytime alums who will be gracing our TV screens in these new series!

Wendy Moniz (ex-Mayor Finn, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; Dinah, GUIDING LIGHT) is in the cast of BETRAYAL, a sudsy-sounding drama that also stars James Cromwell and Henry Thomas.

And two of AS THE WORLD TURNS' former Lucys have new primetime gigs: Spencer Grammer will be in NBC's crime-drama IRONSIDE, based on the '60s series, and Peyton List will be starring in The CW's THE TOMORROW PEOPLE, a sci-fi adventure based on a UK series from the '70s about teenagers with powerful psychic powers.

Natalie Hall (ex-Colby, ALL MY CHILDREN) will be featured in STAR-CROSSED, a new CW drama set in a world where an alien race have landed on Earth and been forced to live in an internment camp. But things get interesting when an alien boy and eight others of his kind are integrated in a suburban high school, and a romance develops between him and a human girl.

And AMC's Sarah Michelle Gellar (ex-Kendall) and OLTL's Amanda Setton (ex-Kimberly) will be appearing in CRAZY ONES, a new CBS comedy set in the world of advertising and starring Robin Williams.

This weekend, Sherry Stringfield, the actress who portrayed Blake Bauer's crazy youth on GUIDING LIGHT, returns to television in a much more maternal role. She's starring in the Hallmark Channel Original, Beverly Lewis' The Confession as the terminally ill birth mother of a young Amish woman (SWITCHED AT BIRTH's Katie Leclerc) who wants desperately to be reunited. "It's a sequel to Beverly Lewis' The Shunning, and both stories are based on these insanely popular books," Stringfield explains. "It's something that you don't see a lot: a young woman's story of innocence, growing up, and learning about the world. I thought it was beautifully told."

Executive produced and directed by Michael Landon Jr. (the half-brother of Jennifer Landon, ex-Heather, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS; Gwen, AS THE WORLD TURNS), the intriguing tale delves deep into relationships, but it's definitely not all hearts and flowers. "My character [a wealthy socialite] has a husband, and they're going through some things — he's been a total dirt bag," she previews. "As it's turns out, he's tricking her and it's really interesting." For more about the film, which premieres on Saturday, May 11, at 9 p.m. EST, and to hear about what else the popular actress has been up to, check out her Keeping Track feature in the next issue of Soaps In Depth.

Back in March we told you about a collaboration between NATAS and the Smithsonian Institute to bring some of the most iconic daytime television memorabilia to the national museum, and today the first donations were presented!

Today's ceremony officially launched a three-year collecting initiative between the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) and the National Museum of American History, aiming to help the museum expand its capacity to tell the story of daytime television and the Daytime Emmy Awards. At the ceremony, the Smithsonian accepted artifacts that reflect the contributions of daytime television programming, including a 1984 JEOPARDY! script from Alex Trebek, objects from the children's series BARNEY, and the gown that Susan Lucci (ex-Erica, ALL MY CHILDREN) wore on the cover of People magazine celebrating her legendary Daytime Emmy win. "They've asked me for [an AMC] script as well," the iconic daytime actress tells Soaps In Depth. "Plus, People is doing a big blow-up of the cover."

The daytime television collection (which will include children's programming, talk shows, game shows and cooking shows) will be part of a larger entertainment exhibit scheduled to open in 2015. "Right now, the area that the museum is going to devote to this exibit on American culture at large is under reconstruction," curator Dwight Blocker Bowers tells In Depth. "We have a very small soap opera collection, and this is an opportunity for us to add to it."

For more on this collaboration, check out an upcoming issue of Soaps In Depth.

Remember the Web series STEAMBOAT, the comedy about the last days of a dying soap opera that featured GUIDING LIGHT's Michael O'Leary (Rick) and AS THE WORLD TURNS' Michael Park (Jack) among other familiar faces from daytime dramas? Well, Studio 47 Productions and ConvergTV's The Venture Channel have announced that STEAMBOAT will now be available on Roku and NetTalk TV as phase one of a global rollout for the network and the show.

Studio 47 Productions is headed up by O'Leary and Scott Bryce (Craig, ATWT), and also has three more comedies in development and a reality show set to begin production this summer. There are currently 2 episodes of STEAMBOAT with 11 more in pre-production.

Did you know that Frank Sinatra was behind JFK's presidency? Or that the beloved president's assassination was really a Mob retaliation? And it all happened because the crooner introduced his girlfriend to a young senator, who simultaneously had an affair with the presidential hopeful and the head of the Chicago Mafia!

That's the theory behind the play Ride The Tiger -- currently being staged at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, CT, until Sunday, April 21, and starring GUIDING LIGHT alum Paul Anthony Stewart (Danny) as Frank and ALL MY CHILDREN's Christina Bennett Lind (ex-Bianca) as the above-mentioned mistress, Judy Exner. Written by William Mastrosimone -- who spent a year interviewing the beloved singer to write the Golden Globe-winning television series SINATRA -- the play is based on a revelation made during one of their conversations. "The play takes specific plot elements that Sinatra told Bill, who then creates a scenario of what happened in these rooms when no one else was listening," explains Stewart.

Continued after the jump

Set those DVRs! Two of your favorite former daytime stars are about to storm two of your favorite primetime TV dramas. "I'm guest starring on ABC's CASTLE," reveals THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL's William deVry (ex-STORM) of his role in the series' 100th episode. Alas, deVry didn't get to trade dialogue with fellow former soap star, Nathan Fillion (JOEY, ONE LIFE TO LIVE), whose title character is laid up with a broken leg in the tale. "I've known Nathan from the past, so that would have been nice, but my scenes were with Stana Katic, who plays Kate," deVry reveals, adding, "She was great -- I had fun!" Look for the lady detective to head out on her own to investigate the death of an IRS agent. "I'm playing a suspect [named Dan Renner]," deVry reveals. "He's a millionaire, but he's also a real douche." The episode, titled "Plays Well With Others," airs Monday, April 1, at 10 p.m. EST.

The actor tells In Depth that he's already on to his next exciting project. "I'm making The Outsider, a movie starring James Caan," he says of the crime thriller. In it, a British military contractor (played by EASTENDERS' Craig Fairbrass) is mistakenly informed that his daughter is dead and launches an investigation. "My character is just a good dude who helps out his longtime friend (Fairbrass)," deVry offers.

Since returning from Canada, where he starred last year on a sitcom, deVry says he's been fortunate to continue working steadily in Los Angeles and happy to be home with his girlfriend, Rebecca Staab (ex-April, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS; Jessie, GUIDING LIGHT). Alas, the successful couple still hasn't had time to relax. Staab just finished taping a guest appearance for the upcoming summer season of Showtime's DEXTER! Look for her to play a character named Lucy Gerard in the episode airing Sunday, July 14, at 9 p.m. EST.

Now that she's taken a break after ONE TREE HILL wrapped production, GUIDING LIGHT vet Bethany Joy Lenz (Michelle) is moving on to her next project: Showtime's hit series, DEXTER!

TV Guide reports that Lenz has landed a recurring role in the upcoming eighth season, which will kick off on June 30 at 9 p.m. EST. Lenz will make her debut in the fourth episode as Dexter's new next-door neighbor, Cassie, a former executive in the financial world who is seeking out a quieter life.

The Smithsonian Institute has partnered with the National Academy Of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) to bring some of the most iconic daytime television memorabilia to the national museum! A rep tells Soaps In Depth that it is still in the planning stages, but the Smithsonian hopes to eventually showcase a collection that features costumes, props, scripts, awards and much more!

Tell us below, which iconic items from the history of daytime television programming do you think should be included in The Smithsonian's collection?

GUIDING LIGHT alum Beth Chamberlin (Beth) admits that her guest-starring role in tomorrow night's episode of BLUE BLOODS is "very small," but adds that "it was a fantastic experience. It was just a dream."

While her character is married to an old friend of Tom Selleck's police commissioner character played by ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Brian Kerwin (Charlie), Chamberlin is hesitant to reveal much more about the episode's story. "Obviously, I was close as well, through my husband," she says in character of her character's relationship with Selleck's. "But we've, in recent years, lost touch. And so we're sort of meeting up again."

The actress was so impressed with Selleck as a scene partner she even compares him to one of her closest GL co-stars! "It actually reminded me a little of working with Grant Aleksander (Phillip)," Chamberlin confides, "because he had such a level of caring about this scene that we had. For me, there's nothing more satisfying than working with somebody that has that deep level of caring for the whole product. Not just his part of the product — the whole product."

The episode of BLUE BLOODS titled "No Regrets" airs Friday, March 15, at 10:00 pm EST on CBS.

GUIDING LIGHT alum Robert Bogue (Mallet) is about to make a memorable appearance in the high-profile primetime series THE AMERICANS, where he will be playing a CIA agent. "But there's a twist at the end, which I can't divulge," he teases. "The character's not who you think he is."

The actor had a great time working with series stars Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys, even in the somewhat less-than-ideal shooting conditions! "I think it was 11 degrees that day," Bogue recalls, and [the scenes] involved me torturing them with cold water. So the physical challenges were there that day. It was brutal! But a great, spooky character."

Bogue's episode of THE AMERICANS episode, entitled "Trust Me" airs tonight, Wednesday, March 6, at 10:00 pm EST on FX.

Soap opera veteran and two-time Emmy winner Crystal Chappell (Danielle, THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL; ex-Carly, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; Olivia, GUIDING LIGHT) now stars in the entertaining new Web series, THE INN. Part ghost story and part psychological thriller, THE INN tells the tale of a woman (Chappell) for whom getting stranded in a remote town results in a journey of self-discovery.

"It's about how new people come in and teach you lessons that you need to learn and ultimately resolving some underlying demons," Chappell previews. "Steve Silverman (the show runner behind the award winning web comedy, PRETTY) is a wonderful writer and director. He really put a lot into this show -- the script is spooky fun!"

Also in the series is Denise Alexander (Lesley, GENERAL HOSPITAL; Mary, ANOTHER WORLD), whose real-life property was used as the location for the show. "She plays a resident of the neighborhood, and our characters end up bonding," Chappell explains. "It was really fun to [work with] her." Posting at www.theinntheseries.com beginning Monday, February 4, the weekly series will air over the course of three seasons in 2013, all of which have already been shot.

"It has so many twists and turns and symbolism in it," Chappell enthuses. "It's not a gory thing or a scary, 'boo' thing... you just really have to think about it -- the soap fans will enjoy it." For more about the actress and news about her other Internet-based dramas, VENICE and THE GROVE, check out her interview in the next CBS issue of Soaps in Depth.

Ricky Paull Goldin on WhoSay

In his new series for HGTV, SPONTANEOUS CONSTRUCTION, soap vet Ricky Paull Goldin (Jake, ALL MY CHILDREN; Gus, GUIDING LIGHT) takes on the role of host as he uses social media to gather together a flash mob of volunteers and skilled workers to undertake home renovations for a family.

The series premieres on HGTV on Friday, February 15, at 8:00 pm EST, but you can get a taste of it right now with this special preview video!

It was a long time coming, but Happy New Year, the poignant film that Tina Sloan (Lillian, GUIDING LIGHT) made in 2010, has finally made it to the big screen. "It's about an injured Iraqi war vet (Michael Cuomo) who comes back and goes to a VA hospital," Sloan reveals. "In the movie, he's my son, and of course, my own son had been in Iraq, so all the fears I'd had for him I was able to use in this."

In the award-winning picture, the sergeant seeks healing and camaraderie with the other injured veterans, but the ghosts of war arise, leading him and his friends down a self-destructive path. Happy New Year is showing through Thursday, December 13, at the Quad Cinemas (34 West 13th Street) In New York City. For tickets visit movietickets.com. And if you can't make it to one of those screenings, we'll be sure to let you know when we hear of more showings in additional cities or an eventual DVD release so you can see it yourself!

It looks like GUIDING LIGHT's Christina and Remy are moving to Los Angeles to join THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL! Well, not exactly. But coincidentally both Karla Mosley and Lawrence Saint-Victor have been cast on B&B at the same time!

The soap has confirmed that Mosley will first appear on Thursday, January 17, as a woman from Dayzee's past. And Saint-Victor begins his run on Tuesday, January 29, as Marcus' adoptive brother. So it would seem likely that Dayzee and Marcus' young marriage is going to hit a few hiccups!

Congratulations to first time father Jordi Vilasuso (Griffin, ALL MY CHILDREN; Tony, GUIDING LIGHT)! He and wife Kaitlin Riley welcomed little Riley Grace Vilasuso into the world at 5:11 on Monday, November 26. All our best to the happy family!

And check out this adorable photo that Vilasuso tweeted of his baby girl!

GUIDING LIGHT alum E.J. Bonilla (Rafe) has been cast as a mystery man from Nolan's past on primetime soap REVENGE according to TV Line. Although their exact connection is still being kept under wraps, given Nolan's fulid sexuality, he could very well be an ex-lover... something that could throw a wrench into Nolan's recent flirting with co-worker Padma.

As to whether this guest-starring role could turn into a recurring one, we'll just have to wait and see! If he causes Nolan too much trouble, there's every chance Emily will take care of him ASAP!

Having spent a year starring in Follies -- first at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., before a limited-engagement Broadway revival and ending in Los Angeles -- Ron Raines (Alan, GUIDING LIGHT) was ready for a break. "I was so artistically fulfilled... and also physically exhausted," reveals the actor, who received a Tony nomination for his portrayal of Benjamin Stone. I was really not in a hurry to work after Follies in a big show."

But then Disney came calling, making Raines a short-term offer to play Joseph Pulitzer in the smash musical Newsies while John Dossett stars in another musical, Giant. "It's a perfect follow-up," Raines tells Soaps In Depth. "It's not a huge role that I have to carry a major part f the show like I did in Follies. Which I did not want to do immediately. I'm in three scenes -- they're fabulous scenes -- and two songs. A reprise of another song, so a song and a half, if you will! It's perfect."

On October 9, Raines made his debut in the musical based on the 1992 film, based on the real-life newsboys strike of 1899. Set in New York City at the turn of the century, the show tales the tale of a band of teenaged newspaper boys -- aka "newsies" -- who dream of a better life far from the hardships of the streets. But when publishing titans Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst raise distribution prices at the expense of the young peddlers, the boys across the city strike against the magnates. "It had a major impact at that time. It's very David against Goliath," notes Raines, who is scheduled to perform through Sunday, December 16. "That youthful, idealistic hope. And I'm Goliath!" Even though the young actors who play the newies carry the show, the character of Pulitzer is always front-and-center... even if he's not necessarily seen. "I'm talked about the entire time because I'm the bad guy!" Raines says with a chuckle. "I love that!"

Read more after the jump!

It's been 11 years since Laura Bell Bundy (Marah) walked away from GUIDING LIGHT to return to the bright lights of Broadway. Having since also launched a successful career as a country music artist, the Nashville resident is now coming full circle with a new role on The CW's primetime soap, HART OF DIXIE!

Together Again!
Bundy makes her DIXIE debut tonight as Shelby, the first woman with whom George -- played by AS THE WORLD TURNS alum Scott Porter (Casey) -- goes out with following his breakup with Lemon. "I don't know if they are right for each other, but they do have a little thing," Bundy grins. While she has great memories of playing the daughter of GL's wacky Kim Zimmer (Reva), the Kentucky native says she's basing Shelby on someone a bit closer to home. "She's the younger version of my mother -- with the Southern accent, her energy, and her [enthusiasm]!" Bundy giggles. "The show's dramatic, sexy, spunky... It's young, beautiful people doing crazy, scandalous things. It's lighter and [funnier] than GUIDING LIGHT."

This isn't the first time that Bundy and Porter have crossed paths. Not only did they both do daytime TV, but he'd also been one of the finalists to play Warner opposite the Tony nominee when she was starring in the hit Broadway production of Legally Blonde. "He didn't get it, but it was the best thing that could ever happen to him because he ended up on FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS within months," Bundy recalls. "He's such a sweetheart, and we've had a lot of fun together."

Read more after the jump!

Wondering how to spend your Friday? How about catching a movie? Excuse Me For Living, the new comedy starring Tom Pelphrey (Jonathan, GUIDING LIGHT), Ewa da Cruz (Vienna, AS THE WORD TURNS), Melissa Archer (Natalie, ONE LIFE TO LIVE), Tonja Walker (Marie, GL) and David Gregory (Ford, OLTL), premieres today at the Laemmle Town Center in Encino, CA.

And don't worry, on the off chance you can't make it out to California, it's still playing in limited release throughout the country, plus you can catch the flick On Demand or on iTunes starting today! For details about the show visit http://www.excusemeforliving.net/ and a complete list of theaters can be found at ://www.excusemeforliving.net/showtimes/.

"It's really going to be fun," assures Walker of the premiere. "Party and people and tons of celebrations and celebrities! I want to see all my fans there and all my friends there and everybody I don't even know there!"

You heard the lady! Get your tickets while you can!

GUIDING LIGHT's Lauren Mayhew (Marah) will appear on Showtime's DEXTER as Melanie, a bartender at the Snakepit beginning on Sunday, October 14, at 9 pm EST. "I'm the love interest of an intriguing new man on the show named Ray (played by Matt Gerald). But I can't tell you what happens to me!" she previews of the gruesome show.

In the two-part episode, titled "Buck The System," Mayhew was thrilled to work with the show's stars. "Shooting DEXTER was awesome. The whole crew was amazing, and Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter are true professionals, but I got to know Matt Gerald the best," she confides. "We were constantly teasing each other and cracking jokes, and the last night of shooting when we were there to 3:30 a.m. and entertained ourselves with a musical jam session!"

International fans can also keep an eye out for Mayhew in her ongoing role as a correspondent for FOX Japan covering events and shows like AMERICAN IDOL. Additionally, she'll be performing her music in China while sporting cool, glow-in-the-dark pieces from Electrofur, a company that she now represents.

It's time once again for the annual Southwest Florida Soapfest Charity Weekend, held on Marco Island from Friday, November 9 through Sunday, November 11! Stars from ALL MY CHILDREN, GENERAL HOSPITAL, GUIDING LIGHT, ONE LIFE TO LIVE and THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS will all be appearing. Currently scheduled to attend are:

Eddie Alderson (Matthew, OLTL)
Kristen Alderson (Starr, GH & OLTL)
Melissa Archer (Natalie, OLTL)
Jeff Branson (Ronan, Y&R; Shayne, GL; Jonathan, AMC)
Stephanie Gatschet (Madison, AMC; Tammy, GL)
Susan Haskell (Marty, OLTL)
Thorsten Kaye (Zach, AMC)
Christian Jules LeBlanc (Michael, Y&R)
Tom Pelphrey (Jonathan, GL; Mick, AS THE WORLD TURNS)
Sean Ringgold (Shaun, OLTL)
Erik Valdez (Trey, GH)
Walt Willey (Jack, AMC)

Many different events are planned, including a cruise, a celebrity bartending bash and a special play reading with Pelphrey and a "special guest." The event benefits children with autism. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.soapfest.com or call 239-394-0080.

GUIDING LIGHT alum Ron Raines (Alan) has established quite a theatrical career for himself since the soap's demise, and now adds another notch to his belt by joining the cast of the hit musical Newsies!

"I'm thrilled to be going into the Tony Award-winning Broadway show Newsies," Raines says. "It's an exciting show filled with hope and dreams of a better tomorrow. It's a wonderful family event. Come see us!"

A Tony nominee himself for his role in last year's Follies, Raines will be temporarily stepping into the role of Joseph Pulitzer while actor John Dossett stars in Giant. Raines will play the role from Tuesday, October 9, through Sunday, December 16, so if you want to see him on stage, you'll need to act quickly! Visit the show's Web site for more information and tickets!

According to the official fan page of John Driscoll (ex-Chance, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS; Coop, GUIDING LIGHT), the actor has recently joined the military! The runners of the fan club Web site have announced that they will be putting the fan page on hiatus for the time being as Driscoll goes through training, which they expect will last for a year. Our best wishes to Driscoll as he serves his country.

There's nothing Nicole Forester likes better than a challenge, and she proved it by taking over the role of GUIDING LIGHT's beloved Cassie. Now, she's dropping jaws as Maggie Zajac, the icy, ambitious wife of a gubernatorial candidate in STARZ' hit drama, BOSS. "I'd be interested to see what the GL fans think of this role -- Cassie and Maggie are very different," Forester says (tweet your answer to her at @nicoleforester). "Cassie tried to do things more for herself as a result of years of putting others first and kind of being victim; however, I don't believe Maggie has ever been a victim. She just takes the bull by the horns and either openly or behind the scenes, she is in control!"

The riveting drama, which debuted to rave reviews last year, is currently in its second season, during which Maggie's revealed to have her eye on the governor's mansion. "You'll see Maggie and Chicago's Mayor Kane (Kelsey Grammer) have direct interaction," she offers. "Kane becomes aware that Maggie is really calling the shots with her husband and that Kane's dealing with her more than he ever realized." Don't miss the next episode of BOSS, airing Friday, September 14, at 9 p.m. on STARZ. For more on Forester's post-daytime career, including details about her role in the Tom Cruise film, Jack Reacher, this Christmas, don't miss her upcoming Keeping Track feature in Soaps In Depth.

Congratulations are in order for Jordi Vilasuso (Griffin, ALL MY CHILDREN; Tony, GUIDING LIGHT), who tied the knot with his fiancée, Kaitlin Riley! The happy couple married on August 18 at Checca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada, FL. And in case that wasn't enough good news, the newlyweds are also preparing for the birth of their first child, a daughter, in early December! Best wishes!

The apartment building of new ABC drama 666 PARK AVENUE is filling up fast! Aubrey Dollar (Marina, GUIDING LIGHT) was recently cast on the primetime series, and now according to TV Guide, fellow GL alum Wendy Moniz (Dinah) has also booked a muli-episode arc! She'll be playing Ingrid, a therapist treating one of the residents of The Drake, the spooky apartment complex, so she'll definitely have her work cut out for her!

666 PARK AVENUE premieres Sunday, September 30, at 10 pm EST on ABC, and Moniz's first episode will air Sunday, October 14.

GUIDING LIGHT alum Bonnie Dennison (Daisy) has been cast in the Chiller network's new original movie, Beneath. But seeing as how the fright flick is about a bunch of high school graduates whose lakeside celebration is turned into a horror show when a bloodthirsty underwater predator crashes the party, the role probably isn't going to be an easy one!

Beneath has started production in Oxford, CT, and is currently scheduled to debut on Chiller in the spring of 2013.

GUIDING LIGHT's Marina went through some trials and tribulations on the soap, but we're willing to bet they'll pale in comparison to what portrayer Aubrey Dollar is going to endure on ABC's new fall series 666 PARK AVENUE!

The dark mystery series stars LOST's Terry O'Quinn and DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES' Vanessa Williams as the owners of a sinister apartment building. According to TV Guide, Dollar will be playing Annie, an obituary writer who wants to be a serious journalist. The actress debuts in the third episode, so keep an eye out — with this show, there's no telling how long she'll stay alive!

When Emmy nominated Web drama, THE BAY, kicks off its summer special, DARKSIDE OF THE BAY, viewers will learn that there's a whole lot more to Bay City than just rich folks and white sand beaches. Helping to tell the edgy tale will be soap opera veteran, Brian Gaskill (Dylan, GUIDING LIGHT; BJ, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Ozzy, THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL). "The [story] is about the show's younger characters getting wrapped up in this dark world on the other side of the tracks," previews Gaskill. "Lianna (played by Jade Harlow; Jessica, PASSSIONS) gets kind of [involved] in the prostitution ring that my character, Chase, works in as a pimp. I'm not the head honcho, but I work for [him]."

Gaskill has explored his own dark side before while playing ATWT's obsessive, BJ Greene, but the actor says that he approached this new character from another direction. "He's very different... laid back and soft spoken," Gaskill suggests. "Somebody who saw the dailies said that it reminded him of Mickey Rourke." The good news is that Gaskill's time in Bay City won't be wrapping up with the dog days of summer.

"Of all the magnificent roles we've seen Gaskill play, this is by far the creepiest," offers series creator Gregori J. Martin. "He was so captivating as Chase that I just had to bring him back for Season 3 of THE BAY [coming this October]." Also debuting in the special will be fellow soap alumni Rib Hillis (Jake, PORT CHARLES), Terri Ivens (Simone, ALL MY CHILDREN), and Massi Furlan (ex-Giovanni, GENERAL HOSPITAL). DARKSIDE OF THE BAY kicks off on Thursday, August 9, at 12 p.m. EST.

GUIDING LIGHT alum, Broadway star and country singer Laura Bell Bundy (Marah) will be adding another primetime TV appearance to her resume. The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that the actress has been cast on HART OF DIXIE as Shelby, a potential love interest for George, played by Scott Porter (best known as Jason Street on FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, although he did fill in briefly as AS THE WORLD TURNS' Casey!).

Bundy is expected to appear in at least two episodes of the CW drama, which returns to the air with its second season on October 2 at 8 pm, EST.

It looks like cable network Investigation Discovery is looking to lure some soap fans over to its channel with their new daytime block they've dubbed DAYS OF OUR KNIVES. Beginning on Monday, August 20, the various shows aired from 1-4 pm EST will be true-life tales, but featuring bumpers hosted by some familiar faces from daytime television.

"Investigation Discovery is already the home of guilty pleasure programming, but perhaps there is no more popular example of a classic guilty pleasure than the soap opera," says Henry Schleiff, president and general manager for the network.

Each week, DAYS OF OUR KNIVES will have its own theme and different stars to introduce the shows:

Another soap hunk will soon be off the market! Brody Hutzler (ex-Cody, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS; Zachary, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Patrick, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) tells Soaps In Depth that he will be tying the knot later this month with his fiancée, Judith. ""We met at a friend's birthday party almost three years ago," he reveals. "I proposed between Christmas and New Year's Eve last year."

The guest list will be small, but Kristian Alfonso (Hope, DAYS), Hutzler's pal - and landlady - is set to attend. The newlyweds will hold off on having their honeymoon until the spring. "We're going to go to London and Paris," Hutzler shares. "Judith has a sister in London."

The actor can be currently seen on Web soap THE BAY as Kenneth, the press secretary to Nicholas Coster's mayor character. "I have a few episodes coming up," says the actor, who notes that Kenneth is THE BAY's first gay character. "I like it. It brings a different dynamic to the show." To view episodes of the Emmy-nominated Web soap, visit www.thebaytheseries.com.

West Coasters, look for Kim Zimmer (Reva, GUIDING LIGHT) to soon come to a city near you! The actress has signed on to the touring company of the hit Broadway musical Wicked, which tells the story of the witches of Oz long before Dorothy blew in on a tornado! Zimmer will soon embark on an 8-month road trip playing Madame Morrible, the headmistress of Shiz University's Cage Hall, where a young Glinda and Elphaba (who will one day become the Wicked Witch of the West) are roommates.

"My costumes for Wicked are soo incredible!" tweeted Zimmer. "Can't wait to put Morrible together!"

Some of Zimmer's show dates include Las Vegas from August 29 through October 7, then San Francisco in January-February 2013, and Costa Mesa, CA, in March. Tickets are currently on sale for the Vegas shows. To purchase, and for more information about the touring company dates and cities, visit www.wickedthemusical.com.

This Friday, July 13, Tammy Blanchard (Drew, GUIDING LIGHT) will face off on the big screen opposite Mira Sorvino in the independent film Union Square. Taking its title from the Manhattan neighborhood in which it is set, the movie centers around two estranged sisters: Sorvino's hot mess Lucy, and Blanchard's reserved Jenny. The younger of the two, Jenny has spent years distancing herself from her tumultuous upbringing -- and finds herself facing her past when Lucy shows up unexpectedly at her apartment. "It's about two sisters and how they come back together after years of being apart, and how their relationship is so strained," Blanchard tells Soaps In Depth. "We are both so crazy in this movie, it's ridiculous!"

Playing sister to the Oscar winner was a natural fit for Blanchard, herself an Emmy winner. "Mira's vulnerable and she's tough. We had such a good relationship and were so open and honest with each other that it was a really great experience for me."

While Union Square is a much more cerebral film than your average action-packed summer blockbuster, Blanchard is quite proud of the indie drama, which was filmed in less than two weeks. "They did that film with no money. I think they had a budget like $50,000 or something," she says. "I'm so excited to see what they created, because it really is all about the emotion and the story of the two of us. And I think we pulled it off."

For more information on Union Square or to find a theater near you, visit www.theunionsquaremovie.com.

Not only is Jordi Vilasuso (Tony, GUIDING LIGHT) engaged to be married, but he and fiancée Kaitlin Riley are expecting a baby, to boot! "The cat was let out of the bag on national TV," the actor tells Soaps In Depth with a laugh. Last week, Riley's little sister, actress Bailee Madison, appeared on THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO to promote her new film, Cowgirls 'N Angels. When host Jay Leno asked how her family was, the 12-year-old excitedly shared that not only was her big sister engaged, but that she was pregnant! "We knew she was going to say we were engaged... we weren't sure she was going to say that that! The camera panned to us, and we were kind of caught off-guard. But it was very sweet."

Vilasuso says that learning on Easter morning that he was going to be a father sped up his plans to become a husband, as well. "We'd been talking about getting married for quite some time," he says. "We were already looking at places to have the wedding even before we were engaged. Katie would joke, 'I can't believe we're doing this. I don't even have a ring on my finger.' I'd been looking at rings, and had actually put a deposit down on a ring two months earlier. This kind of hurried the process along!"

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Over 30 years ago, Grant Aleksander left college to pursue a career in show biz, landing roles on ALL MY CHILDREN (as Alec) and GUIDING LIGHT (as Phillip). And as reported by WDBJ7.com, the actor finally returned to Washington And Lee University in Virginia to finish up school and collect a diploma! "I always planned to get back and finish," Aleksander says. "I just didn't know it would take 30 years!" Congratulations to the graduate!

Fiona Hutchison (Jenna, GUIDING LIGHT; Celia, AS THE WORLD TURNS; Gabrielle, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) has returned to the genre that made her famous! As the mystery woman on the Web series THE BAY (www.thebaytheseries.com), she's been slinking around a hotel in a trench coat and seducing young Peter (played by Kristos Andrews) in an effort to gain information about her missing child.

"When I got the script, I thought, 'Oh God! I see where we're going with this: It's vixen time!" she laughs of the sexy scene. "But Kristos was a sweetie pie... I had to straddle him and do all the things you're not supposed to and he was fabulous to work with."

In last week's episode, however, the mystery woman pulled a gun on him! "That's really what makes it all work: a mother who is desperate for their child is prepared to do whatever it takes," Hutchison continues. It's a scenario that that she's played before. "Gabrielle would do anything too -- anything!" she recalls. "So I'm familiar with this sort of thing, and I've enjoyed it because my career has now covered more than a couple of years and it's fun to be given an opportunity to take something like this and try it again at another point in my life."

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The latest DVD set from Soap Classics is the GUIDING LIGHT: Farewell To Springfield collection, featuring the last 10 episodes of the daytime institution. And the latest streaming episode on the Web site is a GL one from November 25, 1996, where Meta Bauer returns to Springfield. This is the follow-up episode to the November 22, 1996, episode that is included on the Bauer Family Story DVD set.

Just make sure not to wait too long to watch it, because these special streaming episodes are rotated out for new ones pretty regularly! Click here to visit SoapClassics.com and enjoy a blast from the (recent) past!