Tuesday, August 4, 2009 1:50 AM ET | By Scotty Gore
(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — What do Russian gangsters, physics, and corrupted politicians have in common? They’re all heading to Llanview in the weeks and months ahead.
Jonathan Phillips tells the Greenwich Gazette, in an interview dated July 31st, that his was recently hired by “One Life to Live” to play an upcoming role. “I’m playing a Russian mobster. I spoke Russian in my audition. I still speak it fluently, as I studied it for years and years, first at Andover and then at University of Michigan,” he explains.
Phillips goes on to reveal that “We’ve shot one episode. We’re shooting another on Tuesday.” The aspiring actor is the nephew of “Gone With the Wind” actress Barbara O’Neil (who portrayed the mother of Scarlett O’Hara). For more about Phillips’ theater and television career, click here to read the full article.
Rumors claim that the Cole’s undercover mission to take down Llanview’s drug ring may result in the kidnapping of Starr and baby Hope by Russian mobsters in an act of vengeance. However, it remains little more than speculation at this time. Although, a hint at what may lie ahead can be found in “OLTL’s” recently released audition script for the role of Phylicia Evans (mother to Destiny, Shaun, and Greg). From the tone of the script, it appears that Shaun is injured while attempting to save Starr and Hope from danger. It remains to be seen how any of this will play out on camera, given the fact that it will likely not air until sometime in late September or early October, considering “OLTL’s” advanced production schedule.
In related news, it appears that “OLTL” is looking to cast a Shaun ‘body double’ for an upcoming episode.
Michael Lowry first airs as Ross Rayburn on Friday, August 28th, when he his tracked down by Blair.
Patrick Allen Cole returns as Rodi’s Manager Jeff on Monday, August 17th. According to his website, he has also recently taped another episode set to air in later summer/early fall.
Anthony Bradford portrays an ICU Orderly on Thursday and Friday, September 10th and 11th. Bradford’s other soap credits include appears on “All My Children” as a Yacht Club Member on “As the World Turns” as an Old Town Shopper.Â
“One Life to Live” seems to have developed a fetish for introducing the parents of characters who are/were on canvas. Already this year the soap has cast the parents of Markko Rivera, Oliver Fish, and the dearly departed Nash Brennan. Now the show is preparing to welcome in not only the Evans’ siblings mother (as noted above), but also their father Richard, as indicated in a new audition script released just like week. The ever-expanding Evans clan also includes the past characters of cousin Tyrone (Destiny’s original prom date) and Grandpa Fred (whom Shaun introduced during 2007’s ‘One Pure People’ storyline).
Is Llanview Mayor Stan Lowell (Kevin O’Rourke) somehow connected to the city’s drug problems? That may be the question many of the town’s leading citizens find themselves asking later this month as the shady politician begins to raise more than a few eyebrows. Look for Llanview’s commander-in-chief to have more of a presence later this month. After causing a stink at a Llanview Hospital on Wednesday, August 12th, Mayor Lowell returns on Friday, August 24th to take part in some unethical dealings. According to SOAPnet, this will be the beginning of a promising storyline for both Viki Banks (Erika Slezak) and Dorian Lord (Robin Strasser), as Viki ponders taking a second run at the Llanview’s highest office. Hopefully, this plot won’t prove reminiscent of Viki’s last stint as mayor back in 1990 when she was shot by the corrupted then-Police Commissioner Harding, and suffered a subsequent stroke.
Lea DeLaria is back once more as Madame Delphina on Wednesday, August 20th when Jessica enlists the much-in-demand medium to try to summon Nash’s spirit.
Nicholas Rodriquez debuts as Nick (the character was originally named Griffin) on Tuesday, August 18th, who begins to take a shine to Kyle, which makes Fish a little hot under the collar.
In other news…
“OLTL” has recycled the audition script (released in March) for ‘Veronica,’ changed a few names, and re-released it for the role of ‘Dakota.’ As the scene opens, ‘Dakota’ talks about how she used to run through fountains in the buff while living in Paris, prompting ‘Matt’ to ask her if she is telling the truth. She tells him that people in Paris are not prudes like those in Llanview. Matt asks what her date thought of her behavior, to which she responds that followed her lead, danced nude in the fountain with her, and then drew her into a hot, steamy kiss. However, when she claims they returned to hotel room afterward for an evening of romance, Matt cuts her off. Claiming her tales sound more like romance novels than real life, Matt has serious doubts about the validity of what she is saying. When Dakota asks him if he believes her, he confesses that no, he does not. He also says that he didn’t want to hurt her feelings, and wants to know more about her — the real her. As the scene comes to a close, Dakota chimes in that just because it didn’t actually happen, doesn’t necessarily mean that it couldn’t, and that if he had been stuck in a boarding school as she had been, that he too would have developed a very vivid imagination. Be advised that “OLTL” frequently changes the names in these audition scripts in an attempt to confuse viewers.
A second script is for the role of ‘Tom,’ who is a school bully that is tormenting ‘Sarah.’ Tom advises Sarah against making empty threats, to which she claims she can make good on. Tom tells her that, when you are the daughter of a man who attempted to kill your baby brother, that it’s best to try to blend in with the crowd and not stand out. Sarah exclaims that her father is not a murderer, to which Tom says sure, and that he bets her mother isn’t the biggest slut in Llanview either. Tom warns Sarah that she should be very afraid of him, when she tells him that she’s not. Sarah advises Tom to shut up or risk his father cutting off his trust fund. Tom blasts back that his father hates snobby, whiny little girls just as much as he does. Taunting him, Sarah asks him what’s wrong, and that it looks like he’s going to cry. Tom quips that they’re not in Algebra, and that Sarah is no match for him. As the scene closes, Sarah screams that she is going home, but Tom says that first she must pay for crossing his path. As with the first script, this too appears to be a reworded version of one from several years ago for a different role.
The final audition script (which also appears recycled from another old script) released last week is for the role of a ‘Headmistress.’ The seen begins with her telling ‘Liz Cohen,’ one of the teachers, that she has heard good things about her from her students and fellow faculty members, which places a smile on Liz’s face. However, the headmistress reminds her that she must uphold the school policy that personal matters should not be brought into the classroom. Liz responds that she just finished informing one of her pupils of that very thing. Nonetheless, the headmistress instructs her that it never should have even brought up in the first place, and regrets to inform Liz that, until the custody matter is resolved, she can no longer allow her to teach at the school. Shocked, Liz cannot believe that she has just been fired. As the headmistress places her on leave until the matter is concluded, Liz states that nothing that has happened has been her fault and that she loves all her students. The headmistress tells Liz to look around at her empty classroom, and ask herself if she would be letting her students down by staying. As the scene ends, Liz asks for a moment to gather her personal belongings before leaving.
Odds and Ends…
Salsa sensation Frankie Negrón brings his band with him when he perform on “OLTL” on Wednesday, August 5th.
As of July 31st, Jack Rovello (Justin) is no longer listed in the closing credits…could this be the end for Matthew’s occasional bully and his crush Becca (Dina Sipovich)? One can only hope.
Scott Clifton tweeted on July 29th that he was on yet another location shoot for “OLTL,” this time in New Jersey, and on August 3rd that he had a ton of lines to learn for the following day’s episode taping.
Kristen Alderson tweets that she “Can’t wait for everyone to see my dress for the Emmys. it’s def. a statement. lol”
Kassie DePaiva reveals on Twitter that she returned Monday (August 3rd) from a family vacation in North Carolina and “Had location shoot with ‘OLTL’ at 6:30 am.”
According to IMDb, Zetna Fuentes will direct episode #10534 of “OLTL,” which should air sometime on or before Tuesday, October 6th.
Just how adorable were the two gray kittens during “OLTL’s” tribute to “Grey Gardens” on Monday, August 3rd? One can only hope that we will get to see more of them, along with the equally adorable Tallulah Bean (Aziza).
“One Life to Live” airs Weekdays on ABC. Weeknights on SOAPnet. Check local listings.
Discussion: ‘OLTL’ Late Summer Casting News
