(4/4/24) Netflix has revealed the cast of Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black, a new series coming to the streamer that’s the result of a previously announced creative partnership.

The pact calls for Perry will write, direct, and produce feature films and series under a multi-year first-look deal.

Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black follows two women leading very different lives. While Kimmie is struggling to make a living after her mother kicked her out, and Mallory is running a successful business, they find themselves entangled in each other’s lives.

The 16-episode hour-long drama is written, directed, and produced by Perry.

The cast includes Taylor Polidore Williams (Divorce in the Black; Snowfall) as Kimmie; Amber Reign Smith (Outlaw Posse; Wu-Tang: An American Saga) as Rain; Crystle Stewart (Tyler Perry’s The Oval; Acrimony) as Mallory; Ricco Ross (A Husband for Christmas; Aliens) as Horace; Debbi Morgan (Power; Power Book II: Ghost) as Olivia; Richard Lawson (Black Hamptons; For Colored Girls) as Norman; Steven G. Norfleet (Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire; Ruthless) as Charles; Julian Horton (National Champions; Tyler Perry’s Bruh) as Roy; Terrell Carter (Empire; Diary of a Mad Black Woman) and as Varney.

Other cast members are Shannon Wallace (Diarra from Detroit; City on a Hill) as Calvin; Bryan Tanaka (Entourage) as Officer Alex; Joy Rovaris (Saint Clare; The Neighborhood) as Gillian; Xavier Smalls as Angel; Charles Malik Whitfield (The Temptations; If Loving You is Wrong) as Jules; Tamera “Tee” Kissen (House Party; White Men Can’t Jump) as Body; Ursula O. Robinson (Hightown) as Delinda; Ashley Versher (This is Me… Now; Law and Order) as Lena; and George Middlebrook (The Final Play; McGraw Ave H-Block) will play Officer Trackson.

Angi Bones and Tony Strickland will also produce for Tyler Perry Studios.

In February, Perry struck a first-look series deal with Netflix, adding to his pact with the streamer on movies. That’s on top of Perry’s BET deal for TV, which is ongoing with more than 10 series at the company.

CBS Studios NAACP Venture To Develop New Daytime Drama For CBS Called ‘The Gates’

(3/6/24) In a move that could bode well for the future of daytime dramas, CBS Studios and the NAACP, in partnership with P&G Studios, is developing a new sudser for CBS that would follow the lives of a wealthy Black family in a posh, gated community.

Dubbed The Gates, the new daytime drama is from Michele Val Jean, who has written more than 2,000 episodes of daytime dramas and won multiple Daytime Emmys for her work on The Bold & The Beautiful and General Hospital. She will serve as writer and showrunner and will also executive producer alongside CBS Studios NAACP Venture President Sheila Ducksworth, along with Leon Russell, Derrick Johnson and Kimberly Doebereiner.

“The Gates will be everything we love about daytime drama, from a new and fresh perspective,” said Ducksworth. “This series will salute an audience that has been traditionally underserved, with the potential to be a groundbreaking moment for broadcast television. With multi-dimensional characters, juicy storylines and Black culture front and center, The Gates will have impactful representation, one of the key touchstones of the venture.”

“I’m excited to develop this project with CBS and P&G, two of the longest and most passionate champions of broadcast and daytime television, and the NAACP, whose enduring commitment to Black voices and artists is both powerful and inspiring,” continued Ducksworth. “I also want to thank CBS’ George Cheeks, NAACP’s Derrick Johnson and P&G’s Marc Pritchard for their personal involvement and support to take our next step forward with The Gates.”

It’s been years since one of the broadcast networks launched a new daytime sudser. There are only three still existence between CBS and ABC — B&B and The Young and the Restless on CBS, and General Hospital on ABC.

CBS continues to rank No. 1 in daytime with its dramas but all three of the soaps are down in the key demos versus last year. Days of Our Lives is now streaming on Peacock — having moved from NBC to the the platform in 2022.

The CBS Studios’ production venture and development deal with the NAACP was established to help elevate a diverse range of voices as well as increase the visibility of Black artists on broadcast and streaming platforms in an ever-evolving media landscape.

P&G Studios is a division of Procter & Gamble.

Michele Val Jean was represented by Gersh in the deal with CBS and the NAACP.

Garret Dillahunt, Nolan North, Elijah Richardson Among 6 Cast In Peacock’s Satanic Panic Thriller Series ‘Hysteria!’

(2/28/24) Garret Dillahunt (Ghosts of Beirut). Nolan North (Pretty Little Liars), Elijah Richardson (Fantasy Football), Milly Shapiro (Hereditary), Allison Scagliotti (Warehouse 13) and Jessica Treska (Alex & Me) are set for recurring roles in Hysteria!, Peacock‘s coming-of-age Satanic Panic thriller series. They join previously announced cast Julie Bowen, Anna Camp, Emjay Anthony, Chiara Aurelia, Kezii Curtis, Nikki Hahn and Bruce Campbell.

Written and executive produced by Matthew Scott Kane (Stitchers) and David Goodman (The Orville), Hysteria! explores America’s dark history of mass hysteria through the shocking story of the teenage Satanic Panic. The series follows a group of 1980s high school misfits as they exploit the growing hysteria around teen occult activity.

Per the official synopsis: “When a beloved varsity quarterback disappears during the “Satanic Panic” of the late 1980s, a struggling high school heavy metal band of outcasts realize they can capitalize on the town’s sudden interest in the occult by building a reputation as a Satanic metal band, until a bizarre series of murders, kidnappings, and reported “supernatural activity” triggers a leather-studded witch hunt that leads directly back to them.”

Character descriptions are being kept under wraps. Dillahunt plays The Reverend, North portrays Gene, Richardson is Cliff, Shapiro plays Ingrid, Scagliotti is Officer Olsen and Treska portrays Judith.

The series will be produced by UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group. John Francis Daley & Jonathan Goldstein (Dungeons & Dragons) and Chris Bender & Jake Weiner (My Spy) will also executive produce. Scott Stoops serves as supervising producer for Good Fear. Jordan Vogt-Roberts (The Kings of Summer) is set to direct the first episode and serves as an executive producer.

Dillahunt is repped by IAG and D2 Management; North by Paradigm and Cheri Barner Management; Richardson by CESD Talent Agency and Untitled Entertainment; Shapiro with Artists & Representatives & Thruline Entertainment; Scagliotti with Singular Talent, Zero Gravity Management & Meyer & Downs; Treska with LA Talent, Paradigm and Schuller Talent.B

‘Port Charles’ Actor David Gail Cause Of Death Determined, Mother Speaks Out Against Fentanyl Epidemic

(2/23/24) The Port Charles actor David Gail, who died last month at the age of 58, passed away from brain and heart complications following drug intoxication involving amphetamines, cocaine, ethanol and fentanyl, and his mother is now speaking out about the dangers of pharmaceutical addiction and the fentanyl epidemic.

The official cause of death is anoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (a brain injury due to lack of blood flow) following resuscitation from cardio pulmonary arrest due to the drug intoxication.

“It breaks my heart to learn that my son died this way,” said Gail’s mother Mary Painter in a statement to Deadline. “David became reliant on medicine many years ago, after multiple surgeries on his hands and wrists. He lived in enough pain to prevent him from working for almost a decade, with relief only achieved through full disability, physical therapy and pain medicine. He struggled to stop taking pharmaceuticals and did before turning toward a more Eastern pain management including acupuncture and natural medicines. I can only assume that his former opioid dependence played a part in self-medicating from uncontrolled sources.”

Gail was found unresponsive by emergency personnel who attempted to save his life with cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation. Despite their efforts, he was put on life support where he remained for several days, and was pronounced dead on January 16.

His family initially believed his death was due to heart failure.

Gail grew up in Tampa, Florida, where he studied finance and went on to work in the stock trading industry. His interest in acting led him to the stage and eventually to Los Angeles. He made his onscreen acting debut in 1990 on an episode of Growing Pains, with appearances on other episodic series leading to his casting in the recurring role of Stuart Carson, a love interest of Shannen Dougherty’s Brenda Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210.

In 1999, he landed the role of Dr. Joe Scanlon on the General Hospital spin-off soap Port Charles, a role he’d play for more than 200 episodes.

Other TV credits include The Roundtable, Savannah, Matlock, Murder, She Wrote, Doogie Howser, M.D., and Perfect Opposites. He starred opposite Bradley Cooper in the film Bending All The Rules.

“David’s death shines a light on the countless innocent victims of pharmaceutical addiction and the fentanyl epidemic that has taken so many of our sons and daughters,” the actor’s mother said. “Please keep David and others battling pain or dependence, in your thoughts and prayers.”

In addition to his mother, Gail is survived by son Guthier, and sister Kathryn Gail. The family asks for privacy at this time, and requests that in lieu of flowers, donations to be made in Gail’s name to the Partnership To End Addiction.

“We are extremely touched by the outpouring of love from David’s dedicated fans and colleagues,” said his mother. “We are grateful for all the support received during this very difficult time.”

David Gail Family Says No Reason To Suspect Cause Of Death “Anything But Heart Failure”

(1/23/24) David Gail, the Port Charles and Beverly Hills, 90210 actor who died January 16, passed away after suffering sudden cardiac arrest and being placed on life support for several days, a spokesperson for the actor’s family says.

In a press statement obtained by Deadline, Gail’s publicist Linda Brown says the actor “was found unresponsive by emergency personnel who made every attempt to save his life including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation. Despite their efforts, Gail was put on life support where he remained for several days. He was pronounced dead on January 16, 2024.”

The statement continues, “The family has no reason to suspect the cause of his death was anything but heart failure.”

The statement released last night on behalf of the 58-year-old actor’s family came on the same day that TMZ cited unnamed law enforcement sources as saying that an official cause of death is pending toxicology reports. While no foul play is suspected, TMZ reports, the possibility of a drug overdose has not been ruled out.

Gail’s death was announced by his sister Katie Colmenares in a January 20 Instagram post, in which she wrote, “There’s barely been even a day in my life when you were not with me by my side….I will hold you so tight every day in my heart you gorgeous loving amazing fierce human being missing you every second of every day forever.”

Gail made his onscreen acting debut in 1990 on an episode of Growing Pains, with appearances on other episodic series leading to his casting in a recurring role on Beverly Hills, 90210. From there, in 1999 Gail landed the role of Dr. Joe Scanlon on the soap Port Charles, a role he’d play for more than 200 episodes.

'Beverly Hills, 90210' Star David Gail's Death Investigated As Possible Overdose

(1/22/24) David Gail's sudden death is under investigation ... and cops tell us they are looking into the possibility of a fatal drug overdose.

Law enforcement tells TMZ ... no foul play is suspected in David's case but police are waiting for toxicology tests to determine an official cause of death. With that said, we're told an OD is what police suspect might've gone down here. No word on what type of substances are on cops' radar just yet.

As we reported ... David's sister, Katie Colmenares, announced his death Saturday in a social media post -- leaving a sweet and touching remembrance in confirming his passing.

His sibling did not give a cause of death for her brother -- but did say she would "hold you so tight every day in my heart." She also said she'll miss David "every second of every day forever."

Remember ... David famously appeared in 7 episodes of 'BH: 90210' as Stuart Carson, the fiancé of Shannen Doherty's character. DG was also big in the soap opera world ... he's in 216 episodes of the "General Hospital" spin-off "Port Charles."

His other acting credits include ... "Matlock," "Murder, She Wrote," "The Round Table," "Doogie Howser, M.D.," "Perfect Opposites" and "Growing Pains." On the big screen, David starred alongside Bradley Cooper in the 2002 rom-com "Bending All The Rules."

David was only 58.

David Gail Dies: ‘Beverly Hills 90210’ And ‘Port Charles’ Star Was 58

(1/21/24) David Gail, who played Shannen Doherty’s fiancé on Beverly Hills 90210 and Dr. Joe Scanlon on General Hospital spinoff soap Port Charles, has died at 58, according to a post from his sister and numerous reports.

Gail’s sister, Katie Colmenares, posted on the death of her brother.

“There’s barely been even a day in my life when you were not with me by my side always my wingman, always my best friend, ready to face anything and anyone [with] me,” Colmenares wrote via Instagram on Saturday. “The bears will never be the same but I will hold you so tight every day in my heart, you gorgeous loving amazing fierce human being.”

She concluded, “Missing you every second of every day forever there will never be another.”

A cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.

Soap opera vet added to the Young and the Restless

(12/29/23) Soap opera vet Brian Gaskill has been added to the Young and the Restless cast as Seth, who Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) will encounter in AA, according to Soap Opera Digest. Gaskill previously portrayed Bobby Warner on All My Children, B.J. Green on As the World Turns, Rafe Kovitch on Port Charles, Oscar “Ozzy” Marone on The Bold and the Beautiful and Dylan Lewis on Guiding Light.

John J. York Shares an Update on His Cancer Treatment and Return to GH

(12/26/23) (soapsindepth.com) (Video) Fans have been closely following updates on GENERAL HOSPITAL star John J. York’s health since the actor revealed back in September that he had been diagnosed with two blood and bone marrow cancers and was taking a hiatus from his role as Mac Scorpio on the soap. By the end of the month, the actor reported that they were closing in on a stem cell donor, and treatment began in November.

On Dec. 22, York took to X/Twitter to share a video update with fans and began by joking about his bald head and bare face. “You’re thinking, ‘Why did Mac shave his beard?’” he smiled. “I didn’t shave my beard. I actually shaved the little bits of hair that were still left there.”

Thankfully, the actor reports that the treatment is progressing well and he’s even anticipating returning to GH. “I wanted to give you a little update as to how things are going along,” York explained. “They’re actually going along very well. I’m still in the middle stages of everything. I have a long road ahead. But the test results are looking good. I’m feeling really good. Hopefully, things go the way they are, maybe be back on the show late spring, early summer.”

The daytime vet also expressed his gratitude to the multitude of fans showering him with love throughout this difficult time. “And I just wanted to thank you all so very much for all your notes and messages of support, encouragement, all the love you’ve been sending my way,” York declared. “I feel your hugs every day and I thank you very much for that.

“So… one day at a time, I’m gonna take care of this,” he concluded. “In the meantime, I want you all to have a very, very Merry Christmas with your family and friends and loved ones. I wish you all a very healthy happy and prosperous New Year.”

York finished off by rubbing his newly bald head for luck. “How about some luck?!” he grinned. “Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, everyone!”

John J. York Explains His Blood Stem Cell Transplant Treatment

(11/9/23) (soapsindepth.com) On Nov. 7, Jon Lindstrom (Kevin) asked for “healing thoughts” for his GENERAL HOSPITAL co-star and friend John J. York (Mac) as he began the blood stem cell transplant process to treat his blood and bone marrow disorders.

The actor opened up about his health battle back in September as he explained that his “brief hiatus” from the soap was due to his being diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome and multiple smoldering myeloma. And now he’s going into more detail about his treatment and what it entails.

“The first week is an eight-day process of heavy-duty chemo where I’ll probably lose my hair, and that’s okay,” York told People. “And, you know, there’s just all kinds of issues. I could, I could pass away. I mean, maybe not from the chemo, but when the transplant starts. So after the eight days of these different chemo treatments that they’re doing, they’re basically wiping my body of what I’ve been living with in terms of my blood and DNA and all this stuff for my entire life. They’re wiping that clean and then they’re gonna put new stuff in me from the donor. And that’s going to be the new me.”

After receiving the stem cell transplant, York then must go to the hospital every single day for 100 days in order to undergo repeated testing to see how his body is accepting the new cells. “If tests come back after, let’s say after 30 days or 35, 40 days, tests are looking really good, that would be wonderful,” he explained. “Then they may say, ‘You don’t have to come in tomorrow, come in the next day. And then we’ll test after that.’ That goes on for 100 days, and I would say the first, probably 20 days [after the transplant] are the crucial days. From the first day of the transplant, I’m guessing 14 to 20 days out, they’ll be able to tell with testing daily how I’m receiving and accepting the stem cells.”

Following those 100 days of testing will come another year or two of medication and continued testing. But the GH vet is maintaining a positive outlook on what his future holds. “Well, you know, what can I do?” he mused. “There’s nothing I can do about it. I said it before: one day at a time.”

Jon Lindstrom Asks for “Healing Thoughts” for John J. York

(11/9/23) (soapsindepth.com) Fans were worried when John J. York (Mac) announced back in September that he was taking a “brief hiatus” from GENERAL HOSPITAL, especially when the actor confirmed that it was for medical reasons as he had been diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome and multiple smoldering myeloma, two blood and bone marrow disorders.

Thankfully, by the end of the month, York announced that things were looking good as a match had been found and he would receive a blood stem cell transplant. And now, in November, it appears that the big day has finally arrived.

“I hope you’ll all take just a minute today to send some healing thoughts to my friend, John J. York,” Jon Lindstrom (Kevin) shared on social media on Nov. 7. “It’s a big week and we would all appreciate your help. Thank you.”

York reposted his GH co-star and friend’s sentiment and responded: “Thank you, my friend… and to everyone for your positive thoughts and prayers! It’s game time!”

The actor has already received multiple chemotherapy treatments, and the stem cell transplant is another step in treating his blood and bone marrow disorders. Please join us in wishing York all the best for a successful transplant and a speedy recovery..

For Older News Visit The Daytime Soap Operas News Archives: Here!

Facts

March 30, 1994: Jagger Cates and Karen Wexler were married at Kelly’s Diner on GH.
April 18, 2000: Wheelchair-bound Matt used a groundbreaking device that allowed him to take his first steps.
April 20, 2001 PC celebrated the show's 1,000th episode
April 25 and 27, 2000: Sonny turned up in PC along with his dad, Mike, and bodyguard Johnny.
May 5, 2000: Dr. Ian Thornhart arrived in Port Charles.
May 24: On this date in 1999, as they looked back at how their lives had changed since they first met, Scotty presented Lucy with an engagement ring.
June 1, 1997: PORT CHARLES premiered on ABC, with Lucy getting her pregnancy-test results.
August 20, 2001: The Tainted Love story arc brought Rafe, a vampire slayer-turned-angel, to Port Charles.
August 1999: Frank found out that he was Neil’s biological father.
September 17, 1999: Chris and Julie were married.
October 26, 1999: The murdered victims of General Homicide, Jake, John, Bennett and Grace, returned to Port Charles for a visit.
December 1999: Courtney was in a car accident, which resulted in her miscarrying her and Frank’s baby.
The Book Titles:
1. "Port Charles: Fate" (2000)
2. "Port Charles: Time In a Bottle" (2001)
3. "Port Charles: Tainted Love" (2001)
4. "Port Charles: Tempted" (2001)
5. "Port Charles: Miracles Happen" (2001)
6. "Port Charles: Secrets" (2002)
7. "Port Charles: Superstitions" (2002)
8. "Port Charles: Torn" (2002)
9. "Port Charles: Naked Eyes" (2002/03)
10. "Port Charles: Surrender" (2003)
In June of 1997, the first spin-off of ABC’s venerable GH debuted. Port Charles is the only show that takes place in the same town as its sister soap.
In November 1997, wheelchair-bound surgeon Dr. Matt Harmon (Mitch Longley) overcame hospital prejudice when he performed his first operation with the aid of the revolutionary Levo stand-up wheelchair.
Lynn Herring (Lucy Coe, PC) has appeared on primetime series such as "Hotel," "The Colbys," "T.J. Hooker" and "L.A. Law."
Michael Dietz (ex-Joe, PC) met his manager when he tagged along with a friend who was catering a party for Woody Harrelson.
Kin Shriner's (Scott, PC) dressing room was used by John Travolta when he was on the television series "Welcome Back Kotter".
When a garment is removed from the show's inventory, it is taken to a resale shop in Burbank called It's a Wrap to be resold.
While the character of Lucy has 65 pairs of shoes, all of the other actresses on Port Charles have approximately eight pairs of shoes in inventory while the men have only three pairs each.

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‘Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black’: Netflix Reveals Cast For New Series Under Creator’s First Look Deal