‘When Calls the Heart’ Prequel Series ‘Hope Valley: 1874’ Years Will Star Bethany Joy Lenz, Benjamin Ayres & Jill Hennessy

Hallmark is expanding the universe of When Calls the Heart with the new series Hope Valley: 1874, which begins production next week in Vancouver, BC and will premiere in March 2026 exclusively on Hallmark+. Starring Bethany Joy Lenz (A Biltmore Christmas), Benjamin Ayres (The Santa Class) and Jill Hennessy (City on a Hill), the eight-episode series takes place in 1874 and explores the early days of the settlement that later becomes Hope Valley.

'Made in Korea' Trailer Released, Series Premieres December 24

Hulu has released the official trailer and key art for Made in Korea, starring Hyun Bin and Jung Woosung.

Set in 1970s Korea, Made in Korea Season 1 follows Baek Kitae, an ambitious KCIA agent who's living a double life. Driven by his thirst for power, Kitae works as an agent by day and a smuggler by night. Smart, suave, cunning and capable, Kitae rapidly moves up the ranks after using his smuggling operation to consolidate power, protect his brother, and generate vast sums of money for the agency. Seemingly unstoppable, only one thing stands in his way - a tenacious prosecutor who can't be reasoned with, bought or bribed. With everything at stake for both men, the series will follow the duo as they look to take each other down.

The series stars Hyun Bin, Jung Woosung, Woo Dohwan, Cho Yeojeong, Seo Eunsoo, Won Jian, Jung Sungil, Kang Gilwoo, Roh Jaewon, Lily Franky and Park Yongwoo.

Made in Korea premieres Wednesday, December 24 on Hulu and Disney+ with additional episodes on December 31, January 7 and the finale on January 14.

Watch the trailer below.

Paramount Sends Letter to Warner Bros. Discovery Shareholders

Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (NASDAQ: PSKY) ("Paramount"), today sent a letter to the shareholders of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBD) ("WBD"). The letter clearly sets out why Paramount's $30.00 per share all-cash offer to acquire all of WBD is superior to WBD's transaction with Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX). Full text of the letter follows below.

Dear Warner Bros. Discovery Shareholder:

Paramount began pursuing Warner Bros. Discovery ("WBD") because we, along with our partner RedBird Capital, believe we are the best stewards not only to build long-term value for the asset but also delight audiences and help cultivate a more vibrant creative community. We funded, founded and then merged Skydance with Paramount and know the sacrifices and investment it takes to capitalize and grow a media business. I am passionate and dedicated to this pursuit, committed to putting my own money in, and that is why I am writing to you today. 

The Rise of the Microsoap—How Vertical Dramas Are Reshaping Serialized Storytelling

The Binge-Worthy Future: Why Your Next Addiction is Only 60 Seconds Long
For nearly a century, serialized dramas—the beloved soap operas—have been staples of our culture, built on the slow burn of romance, betrayal, and cliffhangers. But in a world ruled by the smartphone, the slow burn is officially over. Meet the Microsoap.

This new format, often called a vertical drama, is exploding in popularity worldwide. It’s the classic soap opera reimagined for the TikTok era: a full story, often 90 minutes in total length, expertly sliced into hyper-addictive, one-minute episodes watched vertically on your phone. They are engineered for speed, spectacle, and that irresistible, immediate satisfaction.

Serial Scoop Now Episode Guide: Season 4

Below is a list of episodes from the fourth season of Serial Scoop Now. Click on the title to watch the episode (more links coming soon).

S4.E1 ∙ 10th Annual Indie Series Awards Red Carpet, Part 1

(Michael Slade, Cady Huffman, Erin Cherry, Scott Michael Salame, Lauren B. Martin, Wayne Wilcox, Keylor Leigh, Danny Wascou, Joy McElveen, Tanee McCall, Terrence Terrell, Mansa Wakili, KJ Smith, Ashly Williams, Kareem James)

S4.E2 ∙ 10th Annual Indie Series Awards Red Carpet, Part 2
(Nikki Coble, Jessica Alexandra Green, Krista Hosvepian, Samara Stern, Marie Wilson, Jillian Clare, Dee Freeman)

S4.E3 ∙ 10th Annual Indie Series Awards Red Carpet, Part 3
(Anne Marie Cummings, Sebastian Heinrich, Terra Strong, Lou Diamond Phillips, Gustavo Velasquez), Or Die Trying (Jenny Austin, Chelsea London Lloyd) and Roads to Keystone (Colin Deane, George Barr, Christopher Smith, Brad Ulbrich, Manny Patel)

S4.E4 ∙ 10th Annual Indie Series Awards Red Carpet, Part 4
(Caleb Leach, Seth Morton, Victoria Rowell, Alesha Renee, Irene Roseen, Dawnn Lewis, Richard Brooks, Michael Colyar, Brenda Epperson)

S4.E5 ∙ 10th Annual Indie Series Awards Winners Circle, Part 1

S4.E6 ∙ 10th Annual Indie Series Awards Winners Circle, Part 2

Serial Scoop Episode Guide: Season 3

Below is a list of episodes from the third season of Serial Scoop Now. Click on the title to watch the episode (more links coming soon).

S3.E1 ∙ 'Driving Miss Daisy' Opening Night, Part 1
(Donna Mills, Arthur Richardson, James Leo Ryan, Heather Provost)

S3.E2 ∙ 'Driving Miss Daisy' Opening Night, Part 2
(Kathleen Gati)

S3.E3 ∙ 9th Annual Indie Series Awards Winner's Circle, Part 1
(Giants, How to Buy a Baby,  The Rich and the Ruthless, James Bland)

S3.E4 ∙ 9th Annual Indie Series Awards Winner's Circle, Part 2
(Arianne Zucker, Ian Buchanan, Alex Wyse)

S3.E5 ∙ 9th Annual Indie Series Awards Winner's Circle, Part 3

(Dan Ast, Marem Hessler, Druw Anthony, Lindsey Middleton)

Listen to 'Rockland County' Episodes 3 & 4

Audio soap opera Rockland County centers around the lives of the Ramos, Morgan and Givens families living in Rockland County, New York. Everyone has a secret. How far will these people go to keep it that way? The show stars Anne Sayre (As the World Turns), Gavin Houston (Guiding Light), Don Money, Stephen Seidel, Abby Wathen, Nick Sullivan, Monica Bailey and Kale Browne (Another World),

'Rockland County' Audio Soap Opera is Back, Listen to the First Two Episodes

Rockland County is back — and honestly, it couldn’t have better timing.

Two decades ago, this audio soap I created slipped offline and became a bit of a lost gem. Today, with audio dramas hotter than ever, the series finally steps back into the light. If you love character-driven chaos, cliffhangers that don’t play fair, and families with more secrets than good sense… pull up a pair of earbuds. Rockland County was ahead of its time — now it’s right on schedule.

Rockland County centers around the lives of the Ramos, Morgan and Givens families living in Rockland County, New York. Everyone has a secret. How far will these people go to keep it that way? The show stars Anne Sayre (As the World Turns), Gavin Houston (Guiding Light), Don Money, Stephen Seidel, Abby Wathen, Nick Sullivan, Monica Bailey and Kale Browne (Another World),

Serial Scoop Now Episode Guide: Season 2

Below is a list of episodes from the second season of Serial Scoop Now. Click on the title to watch the episode (more links coming soon).

S2.E1 ∙ 7th Annual ISAs Nomination Special

S2.E2 ∙ 7th Annual ISAs Red Carpet Show, Part 1
(Jen Lilley, Eric Martsolf, Janessa Alberre, Amber Nash, Kevin Gillese, Benjamin Scott Holst, Judith Avers, Melissa Malone, Frances Southwick, Frank Leone, Kathleen Gati, Kevin Spirtas, Martha Madison, Josh Thrower, Barbara Caruso, Michael Caruso, Colleen Zenk, Yancy Butler, Jillian Clare, Patrika Darbo, Kiko Ellsworth)

S2.E3 ∙ 7th Annual ISAs Red Carpet Show, Part 2
(Sebastian La Cause, Jason Cicci, Cady Huffman, John Cramer, Darcie Siciliano, Bradford How, Veronica Reyes-How, Ryan Gowland, Molly Hawkey, Julia Wackenheim-Gimple, Daniel Betances, Melissa Archer, Barry Brisco, Richard Cutting, Victoria Guthrie, Johnny Alonso, Melissa Claire Egan, Paul Gosselin, Paula Rhodes, Matt Newcomb, Beth Newcomb, Sandra Solanchick, Ryan Robert Daggitt)

S2.E4 ∙ 7th Annual ISAs Red Carpet Show, Part 3

180 Series and Counting: Why the Indie Series Awards Matter to You

Fourteen ceremonies in, the Indie Series Awards (ISAs) have built something special. What started as a small passion project has grown into a global tradition, celebrating the storytellers who do it their own way.

But there’s one number that really tells the story: 180.

That is the number of different series that have won at least one Indie Series Award over the years. One hundred and eighty unique shows! This milestone proves that great stories can come from anywhere—from New York apartments to London flats, and everywhere in between.

For fans, this means one thing: Endless entertainment.

These 180 winners represent a massive library of diverse voices, creative visions, and genres. Whether you love drama, comedy, or something entirely new, the ISAs are highlighting the best "hidden gems" you might have missed.

Why You Should Care About the ISAs

Serial Scoop Now Episode Guide: Season 1

Below is a list of episodes from the first season of Serial Scoop Now. Click on the title to watch the episode.

S1.E1 ∙ Weight NYC Premiere
(Elizabeth Hubbard, Martha Byrne, Michael Park, Daryn Strauss, Anne Sayre)

S1.E2 ∙ My Prime Time
(Nelson Aspen)

S1.E3 ∙ Jeffrey Christopher Todd

S1.E4 ∙ 6th Annual Indie Series Awards (ISAs) Nominations
(Eric Martsolf)

S1.E5 ∙ Victoria Rowell Press Conference

S1.E6 ∙ 6th Annual ISAs Red Carpet Show - Part 1
(Ashley Reinke, Joanna Gaskell, Sheena Metal, Barry Dodd, Karen L. Dodd, Anthony Anderson, Marion Akpan, Lora Lee, Pasha Diallo, Tia Dae, Alexis Robinson Smith, Kelvin Terrell, Melan Perez, Rolfini Whidbee, Rick Kain, Darnell Lamont Walker)
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Denise Alexander Interview Archive (2010, 2013)

Actress and longtime soap opera star Denise Alexander was beloved by fans for her portrayal of Lesley Webber on General Hospital and Susan Hunter Martin on Days of our Lives.  

Early in her career Alexander voiced characters on multiple radio soaps before making her Broadway debut in “The Children’s Hour”. On primetime television she made appearances on classics Father Knows Best, The Twilight Zone and The Danny Kaye Show. In the early 1960s she moved to daytime TV on the CBS soap The Clear Horizon.

She joined the cast of Days of our Lives in 1966 as Susan, where she rose to stardom during her seven-year run. She left Days in 1973 and joined the cast of General Hospital as Lesley to help give the ratings-challenged ABC soap a boost. Lesley fell for Rick Webber (Chris Robinson) and became entangled in a love triangle with rival Monica Bard (Leslie Charleson). Lesley also confessed to the murder of David Hamilton, a crime her daughter Laura (Genie Francis) committed. Her acting earned Alexander a Emmy nomination in 1976 for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series.

When storyline called for Lesley to be killed off in a car accident in 1984, fans became outraged. (Editor's Note: Alexander shared the what really happened back then, off the record).  It wasn’t until 12 years later in 1996 that it was revealed that Lesley was actually alive. In between the two soaps, Alexander appeared on NBC’s Another World as Mary McKinnon, working once again with Robinson during a portion of her three-year stint.  She last appeared on General Hospital in 2021.

Denise Alexander passed away in March at age 85, which led me to revisit the times we spoke (always by phone).  Below are my interviews with Alexander from 2010 and 2013 below.

First published in November 2010

ROGER NEWCOMB: You were involved in the industry when it was transitioning from radio to TV.
DENISE ALEXANDER: At the tail end of it. I got to do a little bit of everything.

Lights. Camera. Action. The 14th Annual Indie Series Awards is Now Streaming!

Complicated: Atlanta creator Johnny Sizemore.  Photo Credit: Michael Mattes

Yes—you heard it right. The night of nights for indie creators, actors and storytellers has dropped and it’s ready for your couch, your popcorn and your applause.

Held at the sold-out Colony Theatre, Burbank (yes-really, sold-out) and hosted by Emmy winner Patrika Darbo (most famously ex-Nancy on Days of Our Lives), this event pulls back the curtain on the future of screen storytelling.

Top Winners Who Stole The Spotlight

• Kombucha Cure took home Best Drama Series plus six awards, including Best Directing (Drama), Best Supporting Actress (Drama) Denise Boutte, Best Guest Performer Drama Jennifer Bassey, cinematography and production design.

The Ellen Holly Story: A We Love Soaps TV Special

We Love Soaps TV traveled to Westchester County, New York, in 2012 to speak with daytime television legend Ellen Holly about her storied career. In the never-before-released video, Ms. Holly talks about the early years of soap opera One Life to Live, which premiered on in 1968, and the cultural impact of her character, Carla Gray.

Watch The Ellen Holly Story below.

Interview Revisited: Ellen Holly on the Early Years of 'One Life to Live'

We Love Soaps TV traveled to Westchester County, New York, in 2012 to speak with daytime television legend Ellen Holly about her storied career. In the never-before-released video below, Ms. Holly talks about the early years of ABC soap opera One Life to Live, which premiered in 1968 and featured her character, Carla.

'Beyond the Gates' Premieres February 24 on CBS

Upcoming CBS daytime drama Beyond the Gates, a set in a leafy Maryland suburb just outside of Washington, D.C., and in one the most affluent African American counties in the United States, premieres Monday, February 24, 2025 at 2pm ET/1pm PT on CBS.

'Beyond the Gates' Cast (and the show's families) Revealed

CBS has revealed the next round of casting for Beyond the Gates, including Brandon Claybon, Timon Durrett, Sean Freeman, Marquita Goings, Maurice Johnson, Trisha Mann-Grant, RhonniRose Mantilla, Ambyr Michelle, Colby Muhammad and Arielle Prepetit. Joining previously announced stars Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Daphnee Duplaix (Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson) and Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), the new cast members round out the extended families of the Duprees and key characters who influence their worlds. Beyond the Gates, from the CBS Studios/NAACP Venture, begins production in November and will premiere on CBS in early 2025.

THE RICHARDSONS

Maurice Johnson stars as Ted Richardson, Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson’s husband and father to Martin and Katerine “Kat”. Ted is a brilliant plastic surgeon with an ultra-exclusive private practice and women clamor to put their faces and bodies in what they call his blessed hands. Ted has created an impeccable life with his wife – whom he loves passionately – and sleeps well at night, secure that his past will never disrupt his perfect world. Maurice Johnson’s credits include “Chicago Fire,” “Good Girls” and “To Catch a Killer.”

Interview Revisited: Larkin Malloy on the Nelson Aspen 'Where Are They Now Tour' (2010)

Serial Scoop Now is back! Look for brand new content in the coming months as well as interviews from my personal archive. Some have been offline for years while others will include never before seen material. Kicking things off is a video interview from March 2010 with Emmy-nominated Edge of Night actor Larkin Malloy, who passed away in 2016. The interview was conducted by Nelson Aspen as part of his "Where Are They Now Tour" series for We Love Soaps.

Malloy, who came in at #45 on the We Love Soaps 50 Greatest Soap Actors of All Time list, played Sky Whitney on Edge of Night, Kyle Sampson on Guiding Light, Travis Montgomery on All My Children and Clay Alden on Loving. He also had a memorable guest run as Dr. Weston on As the World Turns.

The complete interview has been offline for a decade. Watch it below.

'Days of Our Lives' Announces "Day of Days" Fan Event to Celebrate Season 60

The stars of Peacock’s Days of our Lives will be back with fans at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 2 for the annual “Day of Days” fan event to celebrate the start of the 60th season of the beloved series.

Beginning at 10 a.m., the free event will offer Days of our Lives fans the opportunity to meet their favorite cast members in person, participate in autograph signings, photo ops, giveaways, a Q&A session with the cast, and so much more!

Peacock has some exciting surprises lined up in honor of the milestone season that fans definitely don’t want to miss. For the first time ever, in conjunction with Sony Pictures Consumer Products, there will be celebratory Days branded merchandise for sale.

Tamara Tunie, Daphnee Duplaix & Karla Mosley to Star in 'Beyond the Gates'

Tamara Tunie - Photo Credit: Emilio Madrid; Daphnee Duplaix - Photo Credit: Getty Images; Karla Mosley - Photo Credit: Karla Mosley

The first cast members for the upcoming CBS daytime soap opera BEYOND THE GATES have been revealed. Tamara Tunie, Daphnee Duplaix and Karla Mosley will star as prominent members of the Dupree family. Formerly known as “The Gates,” this series from the CBS Studios / NAACP Venture is the first Black one-hour daytime drama to air on television. BEYOND THE GATES begins production later this fall in Atlanta and will premiere on CBS in early 2025.

Tamara Tunie stars as Anita Dupree, matriarch of the family. A famous singer back in the day, Anita worked hard for her success, and raised two daughters with her now-retired senator husband. But underneath her glamorous and refined exterior is a fierceness she gained from her humble beginnings in Chicago. Tamara Tunie is a seasoned daytime star appearing on “As the World Turns” for many years. Also, she originated the role of medical examiner Dr. Melinda Warner with a now landmark 23 seasons on the legendary series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” In addition, she has held recurring roles on shows including BLUE BLOODS, THE GOOD WIFE and ELEMENTARY for the Network.