Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Congratulations are in order for former “General Hospital” and “General Hospital: Night Shift” actress Kent King and husband Christian Cardona, who welcomed their first child, Griffin King Cardona, on Thursday, December 27, 2012. “He is so sweet and yummy, and I’m so in love!” said King in a posting on Facebook. The newborn baby boy was born at 12:29 PM PT and weighed in at 8lbs 1oz, the actress told Soap Opera Network exclusively.

Last summer, King and Cardona celebrated the premiere of their online fan film “Y: The Last Man Rising,” which was based on the Vertigo comic book series “Y: The Last Man” that produced only 60 issues in the span of nearly five years (September 2002 to March 2008).

TV Guide‘s Michael Logan pulls off another exclusive! In an interview with Steve Burton, the actor reveals that he has in fact decided to leave ABC’s “General Hospital” after two decades at the drama series. First joining the cast in 1991, Burton had portrayed the role of Jason Quartermaine turned Morgan. He left the series in 2000, but returned in 2002, and has remained at the show ever since. He’s also appeared on the “GH” spinoff, “General Hospital: Night Shift,” during the SOAPnet original series’ first season.

According to Burton, it was his contract coming up and his desire to move his family to Tennessee that resulted in him making this important life changing decision. “I’ve been through 21 years of ups and downs with ‘GH’ — regime changes, cast and crew changes, budget cuts, shakeups of one kind or another, and it’s been nothing but a huge positive in my life and for my family. I have no complaints, no negative feelings at all. But it’s time to go. I’m going to take some time off and do nothing but relax, just enjoy life a little bit with my wife and kids,” said Burton to TV Guide.

The actor also revealed that his next career move will be working on a project with James Franco (ex-Franco) and Jill Farren Phelps (former executive producer of “GH,” now at the helm of “Y&R”). “Jill went off and did that telenovela ‘Hollywood Heights‘ [at Nickelodeon] and James did a day’s work there. Suddenly he decides he wants to make one of his own novelas through his production company and we’re like, ‘Huh?’ So the three of us collaborated on an idea and came up with a really good one. Jill will EP it, I’ll produce and star in it and so will James. We’ll be able to get a lot of great cameos and guest stars because of James’ connections. It’ll be a fun show to do.”

As for rumors of him possibly joining “Y&R,” Burton says, “Jill is one of my dearest friends. [Laughs] I’m never going to say never because , as soon as I do, I’ll be popping up over there! Here’s the thing: As cool as it was to know I had a nice, cushy place to go every day with ‘GH,’ I think it’s going to be just as cool to not have a nice, cushy place to go every day. I like not knowing what’s next for a change. I’m jumping off a cliff in a total leap of faith.”

Burton is expected to complete filming at “General Hospital” on Tuesday, September 25, but he has informed the show that, if necessary, he would be willing to stay on little longer to help wrap his characters storyline. Whatever the case may be, look for the actor to air through at least the end of October or sometime in November.

Photo Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

UPDATE, 9:43 PM ET: Should Burton ultimately depart “GH,” as rumored… Soap Opera Network is hearing rumblings of the actor heading to “The Young and the Restless” now that Jill Farren Phelps is EP’ing the CBS soap. Phelps had been the executive producer of “GH” from 2001-2011.

PREVIOUS, 8:48 PM ET: Daytime Confidential is reporting that ABC’s “General Hospital” and Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) may part ways as the show has been unable to broker a new deal with the actor.

“Steve and ABC have been negotiating for quite some time and it doesn’t look like he’s going to stay,” said a source to DC.

Should Burton depart “GH,” it would mark the end of a nearly two-decade long career at the drama series. First joining the cast in 1991, Burton left the series in 2000. He returned in 2002, and has remained at the show ever since. He also appeared on the “GH” spinoff, “General Hospital: Night Shift,” during the SOAPnet original series’ first season.

A representative for “General Hospital” was unavailable for comment at press time.

Photo Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Based on the Vertigo comic book series “Y: The Last Man,” which produced only 60 issues in the span of nearly five years (September 2002 to March 2008), “Y: The Last Man Rising” is a fan film that tells the story of Yorick (Travis Quentin Young), an artist who must be protected at all costs in order to ensure the continued survival of the human race. Special Agent 355 is the one tasked in protecting him by any means necessary. In July, IGN Entertainment debuted the film online that stars former ”General Hospital” and “General Hospital: Night Shift” actress Kent King (ex-Dr. Lainey Winters) in the role of Agent 355. King co-produced the film alongside her husband Christian Cardona, who also served as writer, producer and director of the 21 minute long film.

In addition to King, the film features “an ensemble cast, including my good friend and fellow ‘GH’r' Bergen Williams,” said the actress to Soap Opera Network. ”A few of the other cast members have soap history as well. And if you look/listen really really closely, you can spot my bestie Minae Noji [ex-Dr. Kelly Lee, "GH" and "GH: NS"]. It also stars Travis Quentin Young, Rebecca Marshall, Vida Guerra, and Traci Dinwiddie.”

Note: “Y” is a non-profit fan film and is not endorsed or affiliated with DC Comics/Vertigo or Warner Bros. Studios. It is intended for entertainment purposes only. All names and references of “Y: The Last Man” are copyrights of DC Comics/Vertigo and their respective trademark and copyright holders.

Press Notes

Song: Rise
Artist: DJ Adam 12 (Performed by Chole Leighton)
Download it here: http://soundcloud.com/dj-adam-12/rise

Based on one of the most critically acclaimed comics of all time. A mysterious plague has wiped out all men on the planet, and women are left to pick up the pieces of society. The only surviving man is Yorick, an amateur escape artist who is the key to the continual survival of the human race. Special Agent 355 is tasked to protect his life at all costs. Luckily, she’s really good at her job…

IGN and Drake 1129 Productions are proud to present this new short film, made by super fans of the comic. It covers the initial plague that kills any mammal with a Y chromosome (except Yorick and his trusty monkey companion, Ampersand) and an awesome fight between Agent 355 and a fanatical group of Amazons.

Directed and Written by Christian Cardona
Produced by Kent King and Christian Cardona

Yorick………………….Travis Quentin Young
Agent 355…………….Kent King
Hero……………………Rebecca Marshall
Roxy……………………Vida Guerra
Victoria………………..Traci Dinwiddie

This fan film is not endorsed by or affiliated with DC Comics/ Vertigo, Warner Bros Studios, or the original creators of the comic, Brian K Vaughan & Pia Guerra. You should read the original comic though — it’s really, really good.

GrahamShiels.com

Update, Wednesday, August 8 5:41 PM ET: Soap Opera Network has learned Shiels will be portraying the character “Moran” in his scenes with Braeden and Francis.

Previous, Tuesday, August 2 3:07 PM ET: Soap Opera Network has learned that actor Graham Shiels, who most recently appeared in an episode of TNT’s “Leverage,” has booked a recurring role on CBS’ “The Young and the Restless.”

While his character name is being kept under wraps, Soap Opera Network has learned that the role may vacillate between perceived enemy or ally and that Shiels will appear in scenes with Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) and Genie Francis (Genevieve Atkinson). His first airdate is scheduled for Monday, September 10.

Read More >>

IMDb

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Former “General Hospital” and “General Hospital: Night Shift” star Graham Shiels (ex-Cody Paul) will appear on the Sunday, July 22 episode of TNT’s “Leverage.”

The actor will portray Craig Marko, who is a “bruising, yet emotionally bruised, minor league hockey player,” according to the actor. This will be the first time he gets to do more than than grunt work in Hollywood.

Episode Description
The “Leverage” crew helps a veteran hockey player who thinks team management is trying to get him injured on purpose but discover their real intentions are far more ominous.

“Leverage” airs Sundays at 8:00 PM ET/7:00 PM CT on TNT.

IMDb

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) – Finola Hughes, who has portrayed Anna Devane on “All My Children,” “General Hospital” and its spin-off “General Hospital: Night Shift” over the course of nearly thirty years, has been bumped to contract status at “GH” according to executive producer Frank Valentini, who made the announcement via Twitter.

“I am so excited to announce the lovely @finolahughes is now on contract!” Valentini said. Hughes followed up the producers tweet shortly afterward when she said “@valentinifrank And I am so happy to be there xxxx.”

Hughes returned to the ABC daytime soap in early 2012 and has appeared in numerous television programs in between her appearances as Ms. Devane including roles on such series as NBC’s “Blossom,” FOX’ “Pacific Palisades,” The WB’s “Charmed,” and NBC daytime’s “Sunset Beach.” In addition to television, Hughes has provided voice talents to the films “Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World” and “Scooby-Doo! Legend of the Phantosaur.”

In 1991, Hughes appeared in a faux Daytime Emmy reel for the fictionalized soap opera “All My Trials” as part of the film “Soapdish” starring Sally Field as Celeste Talbert – a spoof character of Susan Lucci‘s Erica Kane from “All My Children.” From 1999-2003, Hughes transplanted Anna Devane and her twin sister Alex Devane Marick to “All My Children” in one of ABC’s first attempts to provide cross-over character appeal to its daytime soaps.

In 1984, the legendary star received two Razzie Awards nominations for her role in “Staying Alive, the sequel to John Travolta‘s “Saturday Night Fever.” She won for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series at “The 18th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards” for her role on “GH.”

IMDb

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — On tonight’s episode of CBS’ “CSI: Miami,” former “General Hospital” and “General Hospital: Night Shift” star Graham Shiels will appear as Michael Galliver, an out-of-work construction worker with no criminal history who, to feed his young family and pay his mortgage, turns to crime.

In the episode entitled “Dead Ringer,” Horatio (David Caruso) finds another corpse with missing eyes. While everything points to his nemesis, “The Taunter” – he has an airtight alibi.

“I got to work with the incredibly generous, classy, and talented Emily Proctor for my biggest scene,” said Shiels when asked about his appearance on the veteran crime procedural.

In addition to his role on “GH” and “GH:NS,” Shiels appeared in episodes of HBO’s “True Blood,” NBC’s “The Event” and ABC’s “The Whole Truth.” Earlier this year Shiels appeared on CBS’ “The Mentalist” as Officer Tom Rowley, who pulls over Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) as Jane’s day goes from “bad” to “worse.”

“CSI: Miami” airs Sundays at 10/9c on CBS.

Sean Smith/JPI

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — On Thursday, October 20, it was announced that longtime “General Hospital” writer Michele Val Jean would be joining the Emmy Award winning writing team of CBS’ “The Bold and the Beautiful.” Also on that day Val Jean was given the opportunity of visiting the set of the soap while they were filming so she could get a better feel of the characters and the actors.

“I am pleased to announce that Michele Val Jean will be joining our writing team,” said Executive Producer and Head Writer, Bradley P. Bell shortly after showing Val Jean around the set amidst introductions to cast and crew. “With her vast wealth of knowledge, experience, and creativity, Michele is sure to be a significant addition to ‘The Bold and the Beautiful.’”

For the past 18 years Val Jean held numerous positions as a writer at “GH” including a brief stint as Co-Head Writer in early 2001 (January 2001 – April 2001) along side “GH” Script Editor Elizabeth Korte. Val Jean was also an Associate Head Writer and Occasional Scipt Writer on the soap from 1996-2000. Val Jean joined the “General Hospital” writing team as a Script Writer in 1993 and departs in 2011 in the same position.

One of the rarest of qualities found in a daytime writer today is a presence that connects fans of daytime serials to the creative minds behind what appears on screen. Unlike many of her peers, Val Jean has been a key fixture in social networking services including Facebook and Twitter. Just a short time ago for instance Val Jean wrote on her Twitter page and said, “Home stretch. One more script and I turn the page on an 18+ year chapter in my life and begin another. #lookingforwardtothefuture.” Laura Wright, who portrays the popular Carly Jacks on “GH” responded to Val Jean’s tweet shortly afterward by saying, “@MicheleValJean so excited for u and super sad not to say ur words anymore! Enjoy ur next chapter!!!”

In addition to her work on “GH,” Val Jean is credited as a writer on both “GH” spinoffs (SOAPnet’s “General Hospital: Night Shift” and ABC’s “Port Charles), ” NBC’s “Generations” and “Santa Barbara.”

At this time it remains unclear as to when “B&B” scripts written by Val Jean will first appear on screen. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Network as this story develops.

Thomas A. Montalto/MontaltoPhotos.com

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — As Soap Opera Network first reported yesterday evening, Lisa De Cazotte has been hired to fill the shoes of the departing Noel Maxam as Co-Executive Producer of NBC’s “Days of our Lives.” In a statement issued earlier today to the press, Co-EP Greg Meng confirmed that De Cazotte will be joining him as Co-Executive Producer and that, “[Executive Producer] Ken Corday is excited to have Lisa join the ‘Days of our Lives’ family.”

The change from Maxam to De Cazotte is effective immediately.

De Cazotte was the Executive Producer of “Passions” for the show’s entire run (July 5, 1999 – August 7, 2008). This reunites her with former “Passions” writers and current  “DAYS” Co-Head Writers Darrell Ray Thomas, Jr. and Marlene McPherson.

De Cazotte began her soap opera career as an intern for “One Life To Live” in the early 1980′s and worked her way up to Coordinating Producer before leaving in 1991 to join “Santa Barabara” as a Producer. When “Santa Barbara” ended in 1993, she joined “All My Children” where she was a Coordinating Producer and later Supervising Producer. In 1996, De Cazotte left “AMC” to help start NBC’s new soap opera “Sunset Beach” where she worked as a Producer and Supervising Producer. In 1998, De Cazotte was chosen to be the Executive Producer of another new NBC soap, “Passions.” After “Passions” ended, De Cazotte was name the Executive Producer for the second season of SOAPnet’s “General Hospistal: Night Shift” (July 22, 2008 – October 21, 2008). In 2009, she returned to “All My Children” as a Producer and worked there for a year.

Maxam joined “DAYS” as a Producer/Director in August 2007. In late 2008, Maxam was promoted to Supervising Producer. Beginning his daytime career with “The Young and the Restless” in 1997 as an Associate Director, Maxam directed a number of episodes at the drama series starting in 1999 until his departure in August 2007 to join “DAYS.” He was named Co-Executive Producer along with Meng in June 2011 in what producers called a “reboot” of the series.