CRAIG & LYLA RETURN!

Craig and Lyla Return!

The World of Oakdale recently dropped two huge casting bombshells on its Halloween episode. The returns of Craig Montgomery and Lyla Peretti were two casting returns that were definitely kept tight under wraps for a while. Says TWOO HW/EP Dusty Alford, "We wanted the readers to be left breathless after the Halloween episode and I think we achieved that with the returns of Craig and Lyla".

Block, who left the role of Craig back in 2005, was more than happy to return to the show. While Alford contemplated bringing current Craig Montgomery on "ATWT" aboard (Jeffrey Meek), it was Block's indescribale talents that made the decision a rather easy one. However, don't expect for Craig to be kidnapping his daughter or switching babies so that he can raise his biological child from a one night stand with his ex-stepdaughter any time soon. "While I love Hogan, I think the biggest mistake he made was making Craig a villain," says Alford. "I mean, yes, he is a force to be reckoned with, but nothing like they protrayed him on 'ATWT' ".

As for Sward, the actress hasn't been on the show since 2000 when she tried to convince her youngest daughter to end her marriage to Simon Frasier. Since then, Sward has been relaxing. But when TPTB came calling, Sward was immediately all ears. "I just loved the story and I adore Terri [Colombino, "Katie"] and Ellen [Dolan, "Margo"], so it feels right to be back," says Sward.

While Block has inked a contract with the show, Sward will only be recurring...for now.