Soap Opera Digest January 2, 2023

Soap Opera Digest: When did you find out Ava would be written out? Tamara Braun: I found out when I read a script that had Ava doing something quite uncharacteristic for her so I called to find out what was going on. I spoke to the producers and it was discussed that the character would leave the canvas for now but the door would be open with the potential to return at a later date. Digest: How did you react? Braun: I was disappointed for a variety of reasons but mostly because it meant leaving the cast and crew that I really love working with. Digest: Did you tell your costars? How did they react? Braun: I did not tell most people for quite a while. Many didn’t know until my last day. People were…

At Crimson Lights, a pensive Danny is sitting at a table, considering whether or not to call his ex-wife, Christine. “He looks up and there she is. Cricket,” begins Michael Damian (Danny). “Here he’s really thinking about her and she appears. It’s a very surreal moment.” The former spouses are genuinely thrilled to see each other. “It’s definitely a shock for Chris,” picks up Lauralee Bell (Christine). “She knew Danny was in town but she assumed they wouldn’t cross paths, so it’s wonderful timing that they run into each other.” The warmth between these old friends, who haven’t seen each other in almost 10 years, is immediately evident. “It’s a very special moment,” enthuses Damian. “They fall back into their groove pretty quickly. The unspoken words and the emotions are swirling around…

The walls are closing in on Xander, who is already under suspicion for kidnapping Bonnie, so he surprises Sarah with a trip to Greece. “Xander thinks he may have gotten away with this in the near term, and the best thing to do is to get out of there before anything else comes up,” explains Paul Telfer (Xander). “So why not have a nice romantic getaway and also get Sarah away from anybody who might notice and reveal any more clues or inconsistencies in Xander and Gwen’s cover-up? While the coast is clear, he wants to get the hell out of Salem.” Meanwhile, Bonnie and Justin figure out that Rednax, the company Xander claimed to be working for, is a ruse, and Gwen is forced to cover. After, Gwen alerts her…

During a huge storm, Sheila arrives at Finn and Steffy’s house, cuts the power, then barges in, claiming that she wants to be a family with them. “Desperate people do desperate things,” acknowledges portrayer Kimberlin Brown of Sheila’s actions. “The one thing she wants most in her life is the love of her son and grandson. Sheila is at a point now where she is pleading and begging for that opportunity. We know that Steffy has been less than accommodating, which has been really difficult for Sheila, but let’s be honest, when she cuts the power off to somebody’s home, she means business.” Needless to say, Steffy and Finn are shocked by their unexpected visitor. “Well, in all fairness, Sheila has been known to show up at the most inopportune times,”…

Heather dangles the promise of getting info about Esme out of Ryan to the PCPD in order to delay her return to D’Archam. At G.H., Heather once again crosses paths with Dante. According to portrayer Alley Mills, “Heather is a flirt, and she enjoys flirting with Dante.” Heather indicates to him that she might be able to assist in the authorities’ efforts to track down Esme, who is the chief suspect in The Hook killings, prompting him to summon Mac and Robert. “They are curious to hear what Heather has to offer. I say, ‘Man, aren’t you interested in finding The Hook? Because, you know, I could help you. In fact, if anybody can help you, it would be me, because clearly, you guys think that it’s Esme, and I know…

with Avery Pohl (Esme, GH) Esme’s been stuck in the Wyndemere tower for quite some time now and we’re seeing how very antsy she is getting. “Yes, I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little antsy, too! I love the tower set; I think it’s so fun, but I’m ready for a change of scenery — and I’m pretty sure Esme was ready for a change of scenery about 20 episodes ago.” The entrance of the Elizabeth character into your storyline has been fun to watch. You’d never had scenes with Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth) before. “No, I don’t even think I’d ever really seen her in the hallway before, to be completely honest! Which I think is just wild because of all the stuff with the trial and the Cam/Joss sex tape. I…