In light of the news that All My Children is potentially being rebooted as a holiday movie on Lifetime, Soap Hub reached out to a few of your favorite As The World Turns alums to see their thoughts about the potential to bring their show back.
History
The show aired on CBS from 1956 to 2010, making it one of the longest-running daytime dramas in TV history. Created by Irna Phillips, a pioneer in the soap opera genre, ATWT focused on the lives, loves, and challenges of the residents of the fictional town of Oakdale. Known for its mix of family-centered drama and socially relevant storylines, it became a staple of daytime television for more than five decades.
The show initially centered around the Hughes family, but over the years expanded to include a wide range of characters and families. It gained popularity in the 1960s for its realistic portrayal of everyday life, unlike many other soaps of the time that leaned toward glamorous or sensationalized stories. As the years went on, ATWT tackled serious social issues like mental health, addiction, and even same-sex relationships, often making headlines for its progressive storylines.
As the World Turns earned numerous Daytime Emmy Awards throughout its run and helped launch the careers of several actors, including Julianne Moore, Meg Ryan, and Marisa Tomei. Despite a loyal fanbase, the show struggled with declining ratings in the 2000s and ended its run in 2010 after over 13,000 episodes.
Martha Byrne (Lily)
How would you feel about a reboot as a movie for ATWT? I think it’s an excellent idea. Now that Proctor and Gamble are back in the soap opera world, it would be a much easier conversation. When many people, including myself, tried to bring the show back, the timing wasn’t right, and other obstacles prevented it.
What would you like to see Lily doing now, if such a reboot were to happen? I think with the passing of Elizabeth Hubbard, we should address that in a major way. Lily would be the one handling all of Lucinda’s businesses, and we know that would open up many story lanes. Yes lanes. The reuniting of Holden and Lily would be a wonderful story for the fans who didn’t get closer. There’s so much to explore.
What do you miss about being on soaps? I miss our family. Some of us recently saw each other after a passing of someone’s family member, and we not only comforted each other but laughed and lifted each other up. That’s a bond none of us have had since, no matter where our lives took us after the show ended. We went through decades of life together. It was so special. We were very blessed for our time together.
Ellen Dolan (Margo)
How would you feel about ATWT being rebooted as a movie? First of all I think the fans would LOVE to see all their old friends from each of these shows. I think they would like to see them again on a weekly basis BUT…….I don’t act anymore. I have moved on to writing but Margo is such a part of my core, I could easily put her back on. It would be fun.
Where do you see Margo at this stage of her life? I see Margo continuing as LT. Margo Hughes, Chief of Police — in the footsteps of Dan McCloskey (Mac). Dan was a great guy and truly missed when we lost him. I think it’s important that Margo stays the cop that she is. It’s important that a woman is in charge.
What do you miss about being on soaps? Honestly, I really like the work ethic; the PLAY ethic (our rehearsals were the best part of the whole job — hysterically funny). I miss the family of our whole production. I miss ATWT. I was one of the people that thought it could never die. But, alas…OH! And I miss my paycheck!!!!!
Van Hansis (Luke)
How would you feel about ATWT being rebooted as a movie? I hadn’t heard that they were doing an AMC movie. I think that a ATWT one would be really fun. I’d love to see where everyone in Oakdale is now. I think the fans of these canceled shows would love it. The characters and stories were in people’s homes every day for decades. To catch up all these years later would feel like a family reunion in some ways, not just for the cast and crew but for the viewers as well.
Where do you see Luke at this stage of his life? I’ve often wondered what might have happened to Luke. I think wherever he is he’s filthy rich. I’d say he’s taken over Damian’s shipping company, maybe living in Oakdale still, or in Malta. I bet his heart is in the right place, but can be ruthless in business. If I were to write it, I’d have him as a businessman who after the death of Reid has shut his heart off and is solely focused on his company. Noah has become a documentary filmmaker; they haven’t really been in each other’s lives since the end of the series, and Noah has married someone else. Noah is making some sort of film that brings him back to Oakdale or Malta or wherever Luke is. Seeing each other for the first time in over a decade brings up old feelings. Boom – sparks and drama fly.
Now that you are rejoining the soap community, what did you miss most about being in the genre? Recently starting as Lucas on General Hospital, I think the thing I missed about being on daytime is honestly how much fun it is living in these heightened worlds. Every day kind of feels like a new challenge, and I like that the pace in which we shoot keeps me on my toes and forces me to focus and be in the moment.
Scott Holmes (Tom)
How would you feel about a reboot of ATWT as a TV movie? I think a TV movie would be so much fun.
What do you see Tom doing at this point in his life? I would hope Tom is retired and teaching scuba diving lessons on the Amalfi coast.
What do you miss most about being in the daytime community? One always misses the companionship of the company when they have stayed at a job for so long. It’s all about the people, And seeing them every day.
Paul Leyden (Simon)
How would you feel about ATWT being rebooted as a movie? I mean, getting any movie made these days is an absolute miracle so yes, it would be great if they were able to do so!
Where do you see Simon at this stage of his life? Well, probably in some parallel world to where I am personally in my own life, maybe. I am happily married with a beautiful family and live in Paris and the French countryside. I am sure Simon wouldn’t have changed his spots and would probably be down in the south of France somewhere, most likely St. Tropez, bouncing from one scam to the next, falling in and out of love and never really recovering from losing Katie, the true love of his life.
What do you miss about being on soaps? It was such a great and precious time being on ATWT. I miss the people I worked with on a daily basis. I miss the energy of the fast-paced shooting schedule and the equally fast-paced lifestyle of New York, where we were shooting. And I miss playing the character of Simon. It was a blast playing such an impulsive, ethically flexible, but hopefully lovable rogue like him!
Cady McClain (Rosana)
How would you feel about ATWT being rebooted as a movie? What a great idea! So many great characters and storylines to choose from…perhaps a limited series?
Where do you see Rosana at this stage of her life? I would love to see Rosanna at the top of the world, running a giant multi-national corporation and backing political campaigns. She was born to rule!
What do you miss about being on soaps on a contract basis? I miss the people most of all. I loved working with the same group again and again. It was like being a part of a repertory theater company. Very special.
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