CBS Corp. and Warner Bros. Television stunned the television industry in late January, when they decided to merge their UPN and WB Television Networks to create a new and improved network called The CW in September. Now, they have stunned the industry yet again with the hiring of former “Passions” star, Justin Hartley (ex-Fox Crane) in the new untitled “Aquaman” project. Hartley replaces Will Toale.”Will is a talented actor with a promising career and we hope to work with him in the future,” a CW spokesman said. “We have made the decision to go in a different direction with the ‘Aquaman’ role and wish him the best of luck in all of his endeavors.”

In the last couple of years ABC Daytime has had a nack of hiring actors and actresses with Broadway backgrounds, most noteably Renee Elise Goldsberry (“The Color Purple”), as Evangeline Williams and Kathy Brier (“Hairspray”) as Marcie Walsh on ABC’s “One Life To Live.” Now the network has hired Broadway star Christian Hoff for a recurring role on “All My Children.”

Ian Somerhalder has signed a talent holding/development deal with ABC and Touchstone Television following his departure from “Lost.”

“Gilmore Girls” bad boy Milo Ventimiglia has joined the cast of NBC”s ratings deprived “American Dreams.” Ventimiglia, who played Jess on the WB drama series, will star alongside former “Guiding Light” actress Brittany Snow (ex-Susan Lemay), who plays Meg Pryor on the series. He will portray her love interest, who is described as a radical high school senior whose family moves in next door to the Pryors.

Sources are confirming the exit of actress Marcy Walker from the role of Liza Colby Chandler. Walker’s departure is on the heals of Amelia Heinle’s exit from the series earlier this month. Heinle played Walker’s onscreen sister, Mia Saunders from 2001-2004.

Ryan Carnes will take over the role as Lucas Jones on “General Hospital” this summer, reports TV Guide Online. Lucas is the son of Bobbie Jones (Jacklyn Zeman). The daytime newcomer replaces actor C.J. Thomason, the most recent Lucas from 2002-2003. This move is a part of a usually growing summer teen storyline. No word yet on whether the role is contract, though it is likely to be recurring.