Angela Weiss/Getty Images

Hot off the heels of finishing the thriller “Scenic Route,” Josh Duhamel (ex-Leo du Pres, “All My Children”) has already landed a role in yet another indie drama. According to Deadline Hollywood, the former soap star has been cast opposite Maria Bello (“Touch”), Lucas Till (“X-Men First Class”) and Tom Everett Scott (“That Thing You Do!,” “An American Werewolf in Paris”) in “Strings,” directed by rookie Daniel Duran.

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Anonymous Content & Best Medicine Productions

Though we’ve tried hard to see Josh Duhamel as any other character besides “All My Children’s” Leo du Pres, it’s been impossible. The unique and loveable charm of David Hayward’s endearing brother always seems to sneak out. That is, until now.

In “Scenic Route,” which is one of Duhamel’s darkest projects yet, the North Dakota native tackles the role of Mitchell, a man who has it all — until an unsuccessful road trip leaves him stranded in the desert with a friend. Emotions run high while Mitchell and Carter (Dan Fogler) try to survive the elements, and then…

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JPI

“All My Children” makes its online debut this spring, and Prospect Park is pulling out all the stops to make sure it’s a success. Several actors have already tweeted that the new writing for the show is outstanding, and fans were happy to hear that some of their favorites — Eden Riegel (Bianca Montgomery), Alicia Minshew (Kendall Hart Slater) and Cady McClain (Dixie Cooney) — were headed back to the show. But could Josh Duhamel (Leo DuPres) be another familiar face headed back to Pine Valley this spring?

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WireImage

Just a short time ago, singer Fergie (real name Stacy Ferguson) announced on Twitter that she and husband Josh Duhamel (ex-Leo du Pres, “All My Children“) are expecting their first child. The multi Grammy Award winner tweeted an instagram photo of herself and Duhamel with the caption “Josh & Me & BABY makes three!!! #mylovelybabybump”

The couple were wed in Malibu in January 2009. In May 2011, Fergie told HollyScoop “Not right this second,” when asked if she’d be starting a family shortly after announcing her decision to take a break from the Black Eyed Peas. Duhamel previously told People Magazine, “We’ll go there at some point.”

Congrats to them both!

CBS

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Daytime Confidential reports that long-time “All My Children” casting director Judy Blye Wilson has decided to move on to CBS’ “The Young and the Restless.” The report indicates that Wilson had hoped to remain on the soap she has spent twenty years casting but the production company that licensed “AMC,” Prospect Park, failed to reach out to her.

Since 1991, Wilson has acted as the casting director for “AMC.” Along with other high-level executives at the soap, that means she has had an influential hand in the hiring of cast members ranging from current A-listers Sarah Michelle Gellar and Josh Duhamel to rising prime-time television and movie stars Micheal B. Jordan, Eva la Rue, Shannon Kane, Kelli Giddish and Leven Rambin. She also played a hand in discovering most of “Y&R‘s” current cast – including Billy Miller, Jeff Branson and Eden Riegel (“Y&R” also recently acquired Debbi Morgan who is not a Wilson find) – and that may be part of the reason the number one soap in the U.S.A. extended the award-winning casting director an offer.

Before joining “AMC,” Wilson acted as the casting director of “Ryan’s Hope” from 1981 to 1987 and held the same position at “One Life to Live” from 1988 to 1991. She won three consecutive Daytime Emmy’s for her casting on “AMC” extending from 2001 thru 2004. She has been awarded ten Artios Awards from the Casting Society of America for her casting work on “AMC” (1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008). She may add another Artios Award to her shelf this November.

ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Monday, September 5, 2011 will mark the final Labor Day repeat airing of ABC’s canceled daytime dramas “All My Children” and “One Life to Live,” and likely the second to last time “General Hospital” will air one during its current 3:00 PM ET/2:00 PM PT timeslot as Katie Couric takes over “GH’s” slot beginning in September 2012.

Since debuting re-runs several years ago, the network has been able to utilize the “AMC,” “GH” and “OLTL” repeats to help define important moments in each soaps current storylines. For “All My Children” in particular, the episode set to air is expected to set the course towards the soaps ABC series finale on Friday, September 23. Only “One Life to Live” will air an episode older than a few weeks as both “General Hospital” and “AMC” will air episodes that aired two weeks ago.

“All My Children” and “One Life to Live” will debut online in January 2012 on the as-yet-to-be named entertainment hub by production company Prospect Park.

What follows are the final labor day re-runs scheduled to air on ABC on Monday, September 5, 2011:

Disney/ABC Television Group

All My Children (Episode # 10,678; OAD: 8/5/11)
Bianca and Kendall are surprised to find an unharmed Erica on their doorstep. Appears Erica and Janet were not the only ones to escape and Janet brings in Marian and Dixie. Dixie runs out when she hears sirens but no one is able to catch her and Erica hopes she finds Tad and JR on her own. Emma tells Ryan about the fire and asks if Annie is alright. Both are surprised to see Annie at the door and Ryan makes it clear he won’t allow her to hide out there, but she just wants to see Emma. Thorsten Kaye returns as Zach Slater.

Special Note: This episode features Leo’s (Josh Duhamel) return plus the fire at Oak Haven which brings all the crazies into town.  Tad talks to Kathy and then Dixie, Griffin pressures David regarding Orpheus info and Zach appears at the end.

Disney/ABC Television Group

General Hospital (Episode # 12,364; OAD: 8/8/11)
Liz wakes up from the car accident and discovers Siobhan unconscious.  She finds Jason unresponsive in the other car and Carly injured.  Meanwhile Sam starts to get excited about her wedding date!  Sam gets a call from Monica.  Shawn and Jax, with Josslyn in his arms, face off, but Shawn suffers a PTSD attack.  Jackal, P.I., takes interest in Lulu, to Maxie’s chagrin.  Robin’s regime as Chief of Staff continues to wreak havoc for Patrick, Matt and Steve.  Later, Patrick and Robin get romantic but are interrupted when Patrick is called back to the hospital for an emergency.

Disney/ABC Television Group

One Life to Live (Episode # 10,903; OAD: 4/6/11)
Natalie visits with Clint and admits she’s not over John. Blair and Starr take Jack home and make him take the Shane video off his computer. Blair admits to Starr that she hit Jack. In the aftermath of Shane’s suicide attempt, Rex and Gigi argue over what’s the right thing to do, but ultimately decide to take him to the hospital. Viki visits Todd, but instead finds Téa. Viki tells Téa that she found Charlie in bed with Echo. Téa realizes that Viki is going to give Echo a piece of her mind. Destiny tells Shaun about Shane, says she’s going to tell Matthew what happened. Shaun and Téa bond over Destiny and Danielle.

People Magazine/Time Warner, Inc.

“All My Children” will end its network television run in just five weeks on Friday, September 23, 2011. The soap that houses the biggest name in the history of the daytime drama format, Susan Lucci (Erica Kane), debuted on ABC on January 5, 1970. The entertainment industry is set to pay tribute to the show that left its mark on pop culture with several special installments that fans will not want to miss out on.

People Magazine has spent the summer working on a Special Collector’s issue for fans of “AMC.” The issue is now available for pre-order at Amazon.com for a discounted price. The publication date for the issue is September 27, 2011, which means it should be on newsstands as early as the first week of September. The following is a description of the issue provided by the editors of the popular magazine:

A commemoration of the long-running soap opera that ends in September, 2011 after 41 years. With dozens of pages of brand new, exclusive photographs and interviews, the book visits Pine Valley and all the characters that made the show an American institution. Chock full of favorite moments, story lines, and insights from star Susan Lucci, creator Agnes Nixon and many others, it’s a collector’s book that will satisfy millions of fans.

Cameron Mathison will host a one-hour special on the TV Guide Network honoring “AMC” on Sunday, September 11 at 8:00 PM EST. Mathison has played Ryan Lavery on the ABC daytime drama since December 1997, save a one year break. Mathison posted on his Twitter page that among other past and present “AMC” stars that he has interviewed Kim Delaney (ex-Jenny Gardner) and Josh Duhamel (ex-Leo du Pres) for the special. The handsome actor who will turn 42-years old next week is also a special correspondent for “Extra” and “Good Morning America.” “GMA” which airs every morning on ABC will also be airing a special on “AMC” at an air-date yet to be announced.

JPI

(SoapOperaNetwork.com ) — Esta TerBlanche and Shannon Kane will both return to “All My Children” later this summer. Kane, a rising film star, will reprise the role of Jesse Hubbard’s (Darnell Williams) daughter, Det. Natalia Fowler, beginning on Friday, August 26. 38-year old South African beauty, TerBlanche reprises the role of the love of Ryan Lavery’s (Cameron Mathison) life Princess Gillian Andrassy beginning on a date yet to be announced by the ABC soap.

TerBlanche appeared as Gillian on “AMC” from 1997 to 2001. In June 2001, after being shot dead, Ryan agreed to donate Gillian’s heart to Brooke English’s (Julia Barr) adopted daughter, Laura. Fans may remember Dr. David Hayward (Vincent Irizarry) was the physician that took care of that medical emergency. Hayward is currently in the middle of resurrecting many of Pine Valley’s deceased characters through what we assume is the most incredible medical science breakthrough ever; is Ryan’s princess next? Stay Tuned. Kane debuted on “AMC” in October 2008 as the beautiful daughter Jesse conceived while on the run for close to twenty years, Natalia. Kane, who has appeared in Richard Gere’s “Brooklyn’s Finest” and Tyler Perry’s “Diary of a Tired Black Man” and “Madea’s Big Happy Family,” parted ways with “AMC” in February 2011. Natalia has visited her family and her long-distance boyfriend Brot Monroe (J.R. Martinez) just once since leaving the Pine Valley Police Department for the Philidelphia Police Department. Stay Tuned to find out where Natalia’s relationships will pick up from when she returns later this summer.

According to a show spokesperson, TerBlanche will be back for a handful of episodes. It’s expected that Kane will appear in as many episodes. TerBlanche and Kane’s upcoming appearances bring the total of returning actors to “AMC” since word of cancellation in April to a whopping seventeen. The pair join Cady McClain (Dixie), Thorsten Kaye (Zach), Eva LaRue (Maria), Josh Duhamel (Leo), Leven Rambin (Lily), Carol Burnett (Verla), Kate Collins (Janet), Melissa Claire Egan (Annie), Jennifer Bassey (Marian), David Canary (Adam), Julia Barr(Brooke), Ray MacDonnell (Joe), Lee Meriwether (Ruth), Alexa Havins (Babe) and Justin Burening (Jamie). As previously reported, McClain and Kaye’s returns are extended. Collins, Canary and Barr will each air in anywhere up to ten episodes each. Everybody else will air in up to handful of episodes each before “AMC” last airs on ABC on Friday, September 23.

The CW

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) – Soap Opera Network first reported that Sarah Michelle Gellar was interested in returning to her roots for a guest appearance in May. Today, the same day that film-star Josh Duhamel first aired on “All My Children” in his return stint as Leo du Pres, it was announced that Gellar’s interest had come to fruition. Early this afternoon, Soap Opera Digest broke the news that he 34-year-old actress will appear on “AMC” for one episode before the September 23 finale on ABC.

Gellar, who has been a fan of the 41-year-old ABC soap almost her entire life, is also a fan of the actress that with much success took over the role of Erica Kane’s first born in 2002, Alicia Minshew. On that note, the actress will not be returning to reprise the role of Kendall Hart. Gellar originated the role in 1993. Of her successor, Minshew, Gellar says, “[it's her] role now. She has made that beyond her own. She’s amazing.” Who will Gellar be playing? She has no idea, yet. The actress tells Digest she is open to playing any role, from a bar patron to the long-missing Bobby Martin’s new ski-bunny wife, as long as she gets to bid the soap that started her career a respectful adieu.

The Daytime Emmy Award winner, who became a mainstream star for her seven season run (1997 to 2003) on the cult-classic and critically acclaimed “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” is set to star on the CW drama-thriller “Ringer“ which debuts in the 2011-2012 prime-time season. Speaking of “AMC” and “Ringer,” Justin Bruening (who is also returning to “AMC” as Tad Martin’s (Michael E. Knight) son for a short stint this summer) will be joining the cast of “Ringer” as a potential love interest for Gellar’s character. The role is recurring. (Bruening had originally been set to star on an NBC reboot of “Wonder Woman” for the 2011-2012 prime-time season; the production was dropped due to expense.) Gellar adds that she believes she is coincidentally set to tape at “AMC” on the same day her new co-star, Bruening, returns to tape his episodes. Update (8/6): Gellar will air on Wednesday, September 21.

Check out the August 23 issue of Digest for more from Gellar pertaining to her return to “AMC.”

Yolanda Perez/ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — On Friday, ABC Daytime finally announced the return to the canvas that “All My Children” viewers were most anticipating since the news of the 41-year old daytime drama’s cancellation on ABC back in April. David Canary is returning to the 41-year old daytime drama as the one and only Adam Chandler. His return will coincide with the returns of long-time veterans Julia Barr, Ray MacDonnell and Lee Meriwether. The foursome will return to the Los Angeles studio to tape their scenes next month and are slated to air in approximately a handful of episodes this September.

Five-time Daytime Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Lead Actor, Canary joined the cast of “AMC” in 1983 as tycoon Adam Chandler. The male equal to Erica Kane (Susan Lucci), Adam would quickly become one of “AMC’s” most iconic characters. In 1984, Canary ushered in Adam’s better half Stuart Chandler. The 72-year old actor remained on the show until his retirement. He last aired in April 2010. Prior to his more than a quarter of a century of delighting ABC Daytime fans, Canary was best known for the role of Candy Canady in the Western series “Bonanza.” The thirteen-time Daytime Emmy nominee started his daytime career on NBC’s “Another World” as the second edition of Steve Frame.

Ten-time Daytime Emmy Award nominee, Barr joined the cast of “AMC” in 1976 as the troubled niece of delightful socialite Phoebe Wallingford (Ruth Warrick). For thirty years, fans were spellbound as Barr took us on a journey through Brooke’s many personal and professional trials and tribulations. Barr’s most memorable work as Brooke included her numerous verbal sparring matches with Erica, her romance with Adam, and the heart-breaking death of Brooke’s baby daughter Laura. In 2006, Barr was told she could only remain on cast if she agreed to a downgrade to recurring status. She decided to exit. In 2010, the 62-year old Barr returned as the love of Adam Chandler’s life to usher Canary off the canvas in top form.

MacDonnell and Meriwether portray the husband and wife duo of Dr. Joe Martin and Ruth Martin on “AMC”. MacDonnell, who turned 83-years old this March, is one of “AMC’s” original cast members. He debuted on the ABC soap on January 5, 1970 alongside Lucci. The actor who received a Lifetime Achievement Daytime Emmy award in 2004 last appeared on “AMC” in January 2010. MacDonnell officially retired from the contract role in the wake of “AMC” moving production from New York to California in late 2009. Lovely as ever at 76-years-old, Meriwether, also known as Miss America 1955, debuted in the role of the Martin matriarch Ruth in 1996 taking over the role from the popular Mary Fickett. MaDonnell and Meriwether last returned to the show last March for their son Tad’s (Michael E. Knight) wedding.

Canary, Barr, MacDonnell and Merriwether join a long list of returning actors who have been asked to or requested to return to say goodbye to “AMC” before it ends its run on ABC on September 23. That list includes Cady McClain who returned as Dixie Martin on May 17. Joining her this month are Eva La Rue, Kate Collins, Melissa Claire Egan and Jennifer Bassey as, respectively, Maria Santos, Janet Green, Annie Chandler and Marian Colby. In August, look for Josh Duhamel and Thorsten Kaye to make their returns as Leo du Pres and Zach Slater, respectively. Carol Burnett and Leven Rambin will join the gang as Verla Grubbs and Lily Montgomery, respectively, in September. While fans can expect a couple of more surprise returns to be announced before all is said and done, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos will not be among the returning actors. The East-coast based duo have officially announced they will not be reprising the roles of Hayley Santos and Mateo Santos due to scheduling conflicts that could not be resolved.