Viewers keeping up with the latest “All My Children” comings and goings news know that Daytime Emmy Award nominated actress Alicia Minshew has been in discussions to return to the internet revival of the soap opera, which she starred on from 2002 to 2011. TVLine broke the news on Thursday afternoon that the return of the eldest child of Erica Kane (Susan Lucci), Kendall Hart, as portrayed by Minshew is now a done deal. Minshew will make her return sooner than expected; she tapes scenes opposite Eden Riegel, who plays Kendall’s little sister Bianca Montgomery, later today as “AMC” wraps up its first round of taping. Seconds before TVLine put up the news bulletin, Minshew took to Twitter to exclaim to fans her impending plans: “Guess who is popping into Pine Valley for the day?…um me! Excited to see the gang tomorrow! Gonna wear Kendall’s sassy shoes!!”
Less fortunate for fans of the popular actress is the corresponding news that today is also the day Minshew’s return will wrap up for the foreseeable future. Prospect Park, the production company behind the “AMC” and “One Life to Live” revivals, and Minshew have so far been unable to iron out a deal due to conflicting schedules. “AMC” is scheduled to resume filming for five weeks in April; meanwhile, Minshew has multiple prior commitments keeping her busy throughout the spring. In a recent issue of Soap Opera Digest, Minshew did note that she is “hoping to [reprise the role of Kendall] in the summer.”
What exactly is occupying Minshew’s schedule? This spring, the actress is expected to begin filming the Markus Redmond screen-play, “Here & Now,” where she stars as the grand dame of a small community theater. Minshew is also slated to star in the Bob Maurer (“The Tom Green Show,” “Apartment 2F”) pilot, “Surviving Sam,” opposite comedian Rob Magnotti. Maurer explains to Soap Opera Network exclusively that the comedy he plans to pitch to the networks sometime this spring is both “edgy and timely.” Minshew and Magnotti, whose chemistry is described as “hot enough to set the screen on fire,” will play a newly divorced couple living under the same roof for the sake of their children and due to economic hardships. Maurer describes Minshew’s high maintenance character as “love to hate.” Less likely to interfere with Minshew’s “AMC” schedule is her starring role on the online drama series created by current “AMC” Supervising Producer, Sonia Blangiardo, “Tainted Dreams.” Blangiardo has previously explained that the production schedules of “AMC” and “Tainted Dreams” will not interfere with each other. In the past year, Minshew wrapped up roles in the independent films “Desires of the Heart,” in which she co-stars opposite Val Lauren, and “Lies I Told My Little Sister.”