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 Sunset Beach alums to see their thoughts about the potential to bring their show back.
SB History
SB aired on NBC from January 6, 1997 to December 31, 1999. SB was the first and only daytime soap opera created by Aaron Spelling. It also marked NBC’s return to new daytime dramas since the network canceled Generations in 1991.
Sam Behrens (Gregory)
How would you feel about a reboot as a movie for SB? As unlikely as it is, I’d be tickled.
Where do you see Gregory at this point? Well, I haven’t given much thought to the show since it went off the air. Perhaps he and Olivia would be in their rockers on the back porch swatting flies Olivia identifies with. That’s a funny thought. More likely, it would parallel the series Succession. That’s equally funny to think about.
What did you most enjoy about playing Gregory? That’s easy. It’s the people I worked with. The cast, the creative crew, the technical crew. I don’t know where Hollywood got such a crazy reputation. From my experience of the people I’ve worked with, they are pretty normal people, creative and trying to raise families just like everyone else.
Are you in touch with any of your former co-stars? Not really, although I just saw Hank (Cheyne) a couple of weeks ago.
What do you miss about being on soaps? The work and the paycheck.
Christina Chambers (Maria)
How would you feel about a reboot as a movie for SB? It would be absolutely amazing to see and work with everyone again! I as well would love to know where life took all these fabulous characters.
Where do you see your character being at this stage all these years later? I feel like she would be either a therapist for people with brain injuries or own a much sought-after wedding consultant business with Meg.
What do you miss about being on soaps? Working on a soap is a different kind of energy. The stakes are always high, the pacing is quick and taxing emotionally at times. But being around so many creative, fun, and kind people, cast and crew, who are in the same zany world of soaps with you, is simply the best.
Hank Cheyne (Ricardo)
How would you feel about a reboot as a movie for SB? [It would] be great to get the “Beachers” together again. [I] haven’t seen so many in a long time while, others we see more often. But to get all together on the boards again would be electric, especially with the passage of so many miles and pursuing storylines that may have played out
What do you think Ricardo would be up to? I think Ricardo would most likely be retired from the force and now could be a private detective, still keeping an eye on Ben Evans and the other local miscreants.
What do you miss about being on soaps? I enjoyed the routine of working every day, playing and developing the character, much like theater, and having the opportunity to interact daily with good friends and crew. [It is] much different than doing guest spots etc., where time constraints often prevent serious interaction or a sense of a company of actors, which we had in spades on SB. It was a beautiful slice in time.
Lisa Guerrero (Francesca)
How would you feel about a reboot as a movie for SB? SB was one of the most amazing experiences of my professional career and have so many fond memories of playing the villainess, Francesca, who, in my opinion, was a bold, brave badass. After all, what kind of woman would move to a beach community all by herself in order to fight for her true love and manipulate a dozen others along the way who got in her way? Francesca!
Anyway, it was an absolute blast to play her, and I was sorry when the series ended. If they ever were to resurrect the show in any format, they should definitely resurrect Francesca! I would play her again in a hot second. (I’m currently the chief investigative correspondent for Inside Edition, wrote a book last year, [Warrior: My Path to Being Brave], that included my experience with the show, and am now developing one scripted and two unscripted projects. But acting has always been my first love.)
What do you think Francesca would be up to? If the show were to come back, I think Francesca would still be scheming away and trying to win back Cole. By now, she’d probably have three ex-husbands, a fabulous beach house, and a few arrests under her belt, but nothing as insignificant as a rap sheet could stop Francesca.
What do you miss about being on soaps? The thing I miss the most about being on SB was the camaraderie of this extraordinary cast. I became close friends with both Kam Heskin (Caitlin) and Priscilla Garita (Gabi), and so many of us still remain in contact. We’ve had several gatherings throughout the years. We continue to support each other‘s careers and projects. I also miss Francesca’s fabulous wardrobe. [It] seemed like she was either wearing a leather catsuit or a towel. What a woman!
Dax Griffin (Tim)
How would you feel about a reboot as a movie for SB? I think a reboot for any soap opera would be advantageous. This helps re-introduce characters to new generations. As for a reboot of SB, I think the people that are fans of soap operas would be more than willing to entertain the idea of a Christmas movie or some other type of storyline to re-introduce the show. And the best thing about a soap opera is you can pick up exactly where you left off.
Your character of Tim was strangled to death by Derek, but since this is a soap opera after all, what would you like your resurrection comeback story to be? I would like to be resurrected as a completely changed Tim, who is more loving, caring, and forgiving….. only to resort back to my deviant ways. There’s no better character in soap operas than a bad guy.
What do you miss about being on soaps? The FANS, FANS, FANS we don’t exist without them. I enjoyed them all!
Dominique Jennings (Virginia)
How would you feel about a reboot as a movie for SB? I think it would be great if SB were resurrected as a movie.
What do you think Virginia would be up to? I see Virginia as a best-selling author with a cooking show “Basting w Virginia” that has a massive social media following. And she is currently being sued for plagiarism.
What do you miss about being on soaps? I miss seeing and laughing with my co-stars the most. It just never felt like work!
Nick Stabile (Mark)
How would you feel about a reboot as a movie for SB? That sounds like an exciting idea! A tribute to the Aaron Spelling dynasty could definitely resonate with fans, especially with beloved characters returning and the original cast looking fantastic after all these years. Exploring their lives as older versions of themselves could lead to some compelling storylines.
With my recent experience in global productions and understanding of the current landscape in film and television, this idea brings viewers to the network right off the bat. Creating great content at reasonable production costs is achievable with a Soap like this and follows the business model of reducing production costs, but still creating compelling content.
Resurrecting a classic like this on NBC could tap into nostalgia while attracting a new audience, leveraging the built-in fan base for a strong start.
Your character of Mark was murdered with a hook by Derek. Would you like to see Mark resurrected resurrected or would you like to play a new character, like a twin brother perhaps? I think I’d like to see a brother to Mark struggling and looking for Adrienne Frantz’s character (Tiffiany). He was so squeaky clean it would be nice to have some layers of struggle and strife on his character. Might be more interesting to play….and would make sense with my grey hair. Maybe he’s a business mogul with all kinds of revenge for Ben on his mind.
What do you miss about being on soaps? I miss the daily regular cadence of working as an actor. Being there every day in and day out doing what you love and developing character is what I miss most about daytime TV.
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