Actress and author Dee Wallace has joined the cast of ABC’s “General Hospital” as Patricia Spencer, the long-lost older sister of Luke and Bobbie Spencer (Anthony Geary and Jacklyn Zeman), Soap Opera Network has confirmed. 

In the first major casting announcement under new head writers Dena Higley and Josh Griffith, who replaced Christopher Whitesell and Gary Tomlin last month, “Days of our Lives” is seeking to cast a legitimate Australian actor for the contract role of Finn, a “ruggedly handsome” Australian doctor who is doing his residency in Salem and will work under the stewardship of Doctor Daniel Jonas (Shawn Christian), reports the Australian Associated Press and TV Tonight.

ABC’s “General Hospital” is adding “All My Children” alum Rebecca Budig (ex-Greenlee Smythe) to its all-star cast, it was announced yesterday by executive producer Frank Valentini, following an ongoing Twitter conversation with head writer Ron Carlivati, in response to Valentini’s promise of a major casting announcement. “Hey @RebeccaBudig wanna join the cast of GH in a new Killer Role??” tweeted Valentini, after saying “okay okay” to head writer Ron Carlivati.

ABC has confirmed that it will be recasting the contract role of Kiki Jerome on “General Hospital” with “The Young and the Restless” alum Hayley Erin (ex-Abby Newman). She is set to first air sometime in late February. Kristen Alderson, who originated the role, opted to leave when her contract was up earlier this month. She last airs in early February.

“The Young and the Restless” has cast “Home and Away” alum Lachlan Buchanan in the contract role of Kyle Jenkins, the son of Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) and Diane Jenkins (last played by “General Hospital’s” Maura West). The actor will report to work at the CBS Television City studio, where “Y&R” is filmed, beginning Tuesday, January 27. His first airdate is set for Wednesday, February 25.

After taking a short break to film the “Untitled Miami Project” pilot for TNT, “The Young and the Restless” will once again welcome back Aly Lind as Faith Newman during the week of January 26, Soap Opera Network has learned.

On Friday, January 16, NBC’s “Days of our Lives” will welcome actor Lucas Kerr to its cast as Clint, Theresa’s (Jen Lilley) new love interest.

After joining the cast of ABC’s “General Hospital” in the contract role of Starr Manning in 2012, which she originated in 1998 on “One Life to Live” when she was just 6 years old, Daytime Emmy Award winner Kristen Alderson (Kiki Jerome) has decided to leave the daytime drama series.

With “General Hospital’s” Kelly Monaco (Sam McCall) set to appear on ABC Family’s “Baby Daddy” next month as an exaggerated version of herself, ABC announced today that in a cross-promotional move cast members from the hit comedy are set to appear on the daytime drama series for the show’s Valentine’s Day episode.

With word that Robb Derringer would be vacating the role of Special Agent Kyle Sloane on ABC’s “General Hospital,” it was anyone’s guess as to what the soap planned to do with the character. Enter “As The World Turns” alum Grayson McCouch (ex-Dusty Donovan).

Just before the holiday break, actor Robb Derringer announced on social media that he will soon be departing ABC’s “General Hospital,” where he’s been portraying the recurring role of Special Agent Kyle Sloane opposite Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) since mid-November.

CBS’ “The Bold and the Beautiful” will be welcoming back “Big Brother’s” Zach Rance, when the former houseguest appears again on the daytime drama series sometime in early February.