http://soapoperadigest.com/news/breaking/

New Love

AMC has cast film actor and director Mario Van Peebles as Susan Lucci's (Erica) new love interest, Senatorial candidate Samuel Woods. He'll make his debut on January 29. Erica taps him to be a guest on NEW BEGINNINGS and, says a show rep, he "will soon become her worst nightmare that may turn into a romance."

Also, according to SOD Alec Musser is out (recurring but out) and Jeff Branson is gone at the end of his contract.

Interesting... finally they got rid of Alec Musser. He had two-three appearances in the last 6-7 months. And Jeff Branson isn't needed either.

Thanks!

Mario is a great actor.

They fianlly get rid of Alec and Jeff. They are not needed. One less Lavary!

Edited January 9, 200818 yr by Kyle

Good for AMC for going for a name actor and for adding more diversity.

Where is all the money for these expensive hires coming from?

It would be smart of AMC to cut some more dead weight around there! I don't know who...but seriously starting with Alec and then Branson, good for them!!

Where is all the money for these expensive hires coming from?

I don't know, but you know that he probably didn't come cheap. I'm wondering who else will get cut to pay this salary. I'm guessing probably Annie, Amanda, and possibly even Josh.

I will give TIIC credit for getting MVP to join the cast. I only hope that they write well for him and that he doesn't end up propping Ryan or Greenlee.

Edited January 9, 200818 yr by catkey94

Jeff will especially not be needed after Levin leaves later this year.

Maybe Branson will exit because of that Leven Rambin exiting rumor. Whatever it is, I'm glad Branson is out.

Maybe Branson will exit because of that Leven Rambin exiting rumor. Whatever it is, I'm glad Branson is out.

Levin leaving is not really a rumor. She said in a interview a few months ago that she would pretty much be out when her contract was up later this year.

Edited January 9, 200818 yr by dawn9476

I wonder if this is long term or something like a 6 month arc?

OK, this show has me back as a viewer.

Erica goes interracial? Loves it.

I wonder if this is long term or something like a 6 month arc?

Wow, I'm actually super excited about that. He and Lucci will be great together.

As for Jonathan out? GOOD!!!!!

Part of the reason AMC is able to bring back people when they do is that they don't blow their budget the way GH does.

I'm glad they're starting to get rid of the "dead weight" (no offense to the people who like those characters). Jonathan IMO was never really needed. AMC has been trying to keep Levin on my giving her an anti-Lily to play, yet she's still gonna leave. Del was NEVER a fit into the canvas and just sucked... (Even though Alec Musser is hot).

Now if only they can get rid of one more Lavery ::cough::cough::Ryan::cough::cough:: and some others, they'll be good to go.

Am I excited MVP is joining? Yes. But just like the others, if the writing sucks and there's no real long-term vision, it's going to flop.

I bet his character is connected to Dre.