Former ‘General Hospital’ and ‘Young and the Restless’ Star Upped to Series Regular on ‘Blue Bloods’

According to the Hollywood Reporter, former “General Hospital” star Marissa Ramirez (ex-Gia) has been upped to series regular on CBS’ “Blue Bloods” beginning with the primetime shows fifth season. Ramirez, who joined the series as a recurring guest-star beginning with the Friday, March 8 episode entitled “Protest Too Much,” portrays Detective Maria Baez, the former and now ful-time partner of Donnie Wahlberg’s Detective Danny Raegan. The actress is replacing Jennifer Esposito, who portrayed Wahlberg’s onscreen partner, Jackie Curatola, on the drama series until November of last year.

ABC has consistently brought soap-worthy programming to primetime (“Desperate Housewives” and “Revenge,” to name but two), and the schedule for this fall is no different: Intermixing with popular mainstay shows like “The Middle,” “Modern Family,” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” come thirteen brand new shows, a few of which may spur “General Hospital” and other daytime soaps to come to mind! And Wendy Moniz (ex-Mayor Finn, “One Life to Live,” ex-Dinah Marler, “Guiding Light”) strengthens the soap/primetime connection with a role in the new drama, “Betrayal.” Read on to get the exciting details!

Ever since word broke that “Desperate Housewives” creator, Marc Cherry, was working on “Devious Maids,” a series that stars “All My Children’s” Susan Lucci (ex-Erica Kane), fans have been chomping at the bit for more information and an airdate. Well wait no longer: The full cast, synopsis and premiere date for the Lifetime series has officially been released!

With Dorian Lord (Robin Strasser) about to exit the Office of Mayor to reportedly move on to become a Senator, Llanview gets a new commander-in-chief this fall when Wendy Moniz debuts in the recurring role of Mayor Finn, according to Soap Opera Digest.