It’s been more than a year since it was announced that ABC had put into development a primetime spinoff of “All My Children,” entitled “Pine Valley,” and since then there has been virtually no news on when fans could expect to see some of their favorite characters back on screen, if at all. That could soon change according to Susan Lucci (ex-Erica Kane), who recently revealed that there has been some movement on the project but COVID has put a delay on things, for now.
Speaking with PEOPLE about her ongoing collaboration with the American Heart Association and its Go Red for Women initiative, the soap icon told the publication, “There has been movement. I wish it was a quicker movement, but yes, everything in terms of being in the right hands, as far as I know, would be in place.”
“It’s really interesting, and the concept is so good,” Lucci added. “[It’s] in the right hands … [with] Kelly Ripa [ex-Hayley Vaughan Santos; “Live with Kelly and Ryan”] and her husband, Mark Consuelos [ex-Mateo Santos], who are both so terrific. They would be executive producers, so I’m really hoping that this is going to actually go forward.”
As for why things have been delayed, Lucci put the blame on COVID, saying, “COVID is in play again, and things are slowed down.”
The potential series is based on the town in which the daytime soap opera took place (Pine Valley) and will follow a young journalist with a secret agenda looking to expose the dark and murderous history of the town only to become entangled in a feud between the Kane and Santos families. The series plans to explore all the secrets that come with the Kane and Santos family names. Lucci has already indicated she will be part of the show should get picked up by ABC.
In addition to Ripa and Consuelos, who will also serve as executive producers, “Pine Valley” is being spearheaded Leo Richardson (“EastEnders,” “Katy Keene,” “Star”), Andrew Stearn and Robert Nixon, son of the late Agnes Nixon, creator of both “AMC” and “One Life to Live.”
Since submitting the producer’s draft for the potential series last February, Richardson has left the potential series in the hands of those above him (i.e. network executives). “I wrote the script, true to what I pitched and sold to ABC, and we are waiting now,” he said last year. “I am incredibly proud of what we have cooked up and we will keep you posted. Fingers crossed for us please.”
Hulu Originals and ABC President Craig Erwich glossed over a question on the potential show’s status when asked during his turn at last month’s TCA press tour. “I don’t have any updates on that project right now,” he said.