When it rains, it pours.
Ever since Martha Byrne, who earned two Emmy Awards for her stunning portrayal as Lily Walsh Snyder, quit As The World Turns, fans have been clamouring for her on-screen comeback.
On June 18, their wish will be granted when Byrne debuts in her second major role on daytime TV as Mayor Floyd’s wife, Andrea, who will kick off a big mystery in Port Charles.
TVGuide.ca spoke with the soap vet about her new role which promises to be a departure for the star, working with GH’s talented ensemble, which job she wants on World Turns, Guiding Light’s cancellation, and writing for Bradley Bell.
TVGuide.ca: Welcome back, stranger!
Martha Byrne: Thank you! I’m both excited and nervous to see my first show.
TVG: Most soap vets have two or three roles under their belt but you’ve only played Lily — and her twin, Rose — throughout your entire daytime career. Is it weird slipping on someone else’s skin?
MB: Yes. My first job was on The Doctors but I only had one line, so I don’t think that counts. I was a little worried that Lily would rear her head when I started playing Andrea because it’s the role I’m most familiar with. Thankfully, Lily didn’t show up at all.
TVG: You took a one-year hiatus from the wacky world of soaps. Ironically, during this economic recession the world is stuck in, you’ve manage to nab not one but two jobs: one as a scriptwriter for The Bold and the Beautiful, and the other, a recurring gig on General Hospital. How did the Andrea role come about?
MB: It was all Facebook! [Laughs] Lisa Kaseff who works at GH in production asked me if I would ever consider a role on GH. She used to work on World Turns for a long time and we’ve always maintained our friendship. A week before she asked me that, I had signed with Michael Bruno to see if any soaps had any interest in casting me. Michael and I had literally just started talking when Bob Guza told Lisa he’d love me for this part. Three days later, I was cast in the role. Originally Andrea was supposed to be a short-term role, but it’s expanded. We’ll see how long this lasts. My family is being very supportive regarding me commuting to the west coast. In fact, it’s working out brilliantly. It’s nice to be on my own for a few days after spending a year at home with the kids — though being a mother and wife is by far my most important role and biggest priority in my life. When I was mulling the offer over, my husband told me, “You have to do this. You deserve it.” Our kids are well-adjusted. Luckily, my entire family lives in the same town, so our children have a built-in support system when I’m not home. I’m not even 40 yet, so I want to keep working. There was no other answer to this opportunity other than a big yes.
TVG: Tell me about Andrea.
MB: Andrea is a very in-your-face, full of attitude, and opinionated character. Andrea’s the opposite of Lily right down to the clothes. Andrea is the wife of a politician. She’s the woman behind the man, and she needs to be heard — and boy, is she ever! A scandal brings Andrea out from the shadows. She’s busy trying to troubleshoot the situation with Robin and Patrick. Andrea doesn’t take no for an answer.
TVG: Is Andrea modelled after Hillary Clinton?
MB: I think so. I often think of what happened behind closed doors between Hillary and Bill when the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke. There are two different sides to Andrea — a private and a public side.
TVG: What’s it like working with that sexy bastard Jon Bolger [Mayor Floyd]?
MB: It’s wonderful. He’s a great actor. Jon's very present in his scenes so he's a dream co-star. We met when he was on Guiding Light as Phillip. Being on GH has been almost like a homecoming of sorts because Sarah Brown [Claudia], Laura Wright [Carly], Rick Hearst [Ric], Jon, and a lot of the crew worked back east with me.
TVG: Had you ever met your boss, Jill Farren Phelps, before?
MB: No. Believe it or not, I have never met Jill before this! And I really like her a lot. Jill told me her door is always open for me to talk about anything or even if I just want to hang out. We’ve been in daytime forever, and our sensibilities are very similar. She’s given me free reign to do whatever I want with this character — which is a dream scenario for any actor.
TVG: What I like about Jill is that she’s one of the few producers in this genre who just does her job, which is to produce. She doesn’t interfere in the writing from what I gather. Though, that could be a good idea on this show! [Laughs]
MB: What I’ve noticed is that GH isn’t managed like other shows. At GH, writers write, producers produce, directors direct, and actors act. There are so many jobs to undertake putting out a daily soap, so why take on more responsibility? If you hired a capable and talented cast and crew, there is no reason to interfere.
TVG: Did you watch General Hospital?
MB: I watched GH through grammar school until I booked World Turns. I was a huge ABC soap watcher. I was obsessed with GH back then, which is why when I got to work with Kin Shriner on World Turns, it was a dream come true. I loved Kin on GH. We know each other personally, and I have to say I’m even a bigger fan of his now. He’s such a sweet man. When I was cast as Andrea, I started watching GH full time again. The one thing I noticed is that the actors really rehearse on this show. That’s what I missed about being an actor — the process. I can’t wait to see my first air show because everything feels right, but I’m not sure if that will transfer to the screen. As an actor, the only feedback you want to hear is from the viewers, so I’m dying to know how they respond to Andrea. |
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TVG: Have you met all your favourite GH actors yet?
MB: No! I haven’t seen Maurice Benard [Sonny] in the hallway yet. And Tony Geary [Luke] is on vacation right now. For me, if I could have one scene with Tony, well, that would be the ultimate working experience for me as an actor. Trying to achieve what Tony does in every scene is what I strive for as an actor. He reminds me a lot of Elizabeth Hubbard [Lucinda, World Turns].
TVG: Liz and Tony’s acting styles are very similar. Working opposite La Hubbard must have proven to be a very valuable education.
MB: It was. Also, I was lucky that my mother instilled in me a great work ethic when I was a working child actor. She always told me: show up on time, know your lines, be nice to and respect everyone, and you’ll get it back in return. And that’s the truth.
TVG: What I admire about you is that, while you’re one of the most loved, and nicest stars in the business, you still tell it like it is and don’t BS your fans or the press.
MB: [Laughs] Listen, I don’t have time to BS! I respect my fans too much to lie to them. It is simply not in my blood. Lying goes against my grain. There are times when you have to be brutally honest, but you can have class while you’re giving your peace, and maintain your integrity. That’s the only thing in life that you can control is your integrity. I always speak from my heart. And people respond to that. It’s the law of attraction. I think most people have BS detectors — especially soap fans.
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TVG: True that. What has been the reaction from your World Turns co-stars regarding you being admitted into General Hospital?
MB: Everyone’s been happy, supportive and wonderful. I’ll tell you, it’s the fans who have been truly amazing. They still care about me after all this time! And always want to know what I’m up to. I hope all my fans tune in to watch me on GH. Sometimes when an actor moves on from a popular role, the fans aren’t happy, but I have to say I’ve received nothing but love from the viewers.
TVG: It’s funny that you have followed your pal and former co-star Lesli Kay [Felicia, B&B; ex-Lois, GH; ex-Molly, World Turns] from soap to soap! Besides being on World Turns together, you both were/are employed by GH and B&B.
MB: Yes! I love that girl, Lesli. In fact, we’ve been hanging out a lot since I’ve been in L.A. She’s also fearless; we’re both similar that way. As an actor, you have to take chances and risks in your career. I’m trying to do the same thing. You can’t worry about what other people think. Jump off the cliff, and trust that the net will appear. |
TVG: Are you still watching World Turns?
MB: No, not anymore. After I left over a year ago, I tuned in to see what everyone was up to, but I stopped watching a while back. I have so much going on that I simply just don’t have the time to tune in. Anyway, it wouldn’t be like watching the same show. It’s a very odd sensation to tune into World Turns these days. I feel very separated from the Oakdale experience. Once in a while, I’ll check in to see how Paolo Seganti [Damian] and Jon Hensley [Holden] are doing but that’s very rare.
TVG: Is it weird to see Paolo on the show without you? I mean, it’s weird for me… and I don’t know why.
MB: I do feel like Jon and Paolo are cheating on me. [Laughs] They’re my husbands! [Laughs] For me, watching World Turns isn’t the same — it’s not the same show anymore. I can’t explain it. It’s weird. Paolo and I are very close, and we miss each other on a working level. That’s not to say we won’t work together on another project, because we will and have. We’re planning to see each other while I’m in L.A. Working together on [the New York fundraiser] As The Epic Turns made me realize how much I missed acting with him. And Jon and I have a chemistry and a relationship that can never be touched. We own our history and I doubt I will ever have another working relationship like the one I have with Jon. We grew up together. |
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TVG: Jon’s a fantastic actor and an extremely underrated one at that. In last week’s Soap Opera Digest, the magazine reprinted your first cover as Lily — what’s it like having your childhood documented in print and on YouTube?
MB: The one thing I treasure about having my life documented is that it builds a relationship with you and the viewers. Fans and I shared our first kiss, our first crushes, marriages, babies, and growing pains together. Being a child actor creates a very unique relationship between you and the audience. No other medium other than daytime TV gives an actor and audience that. When I watch old tapes from 1986 and 1987, I always cringe over what was going on with me physically. And here I am “in love” with this beautiful guy on this soap. But Jon and I had a connection right away. It was probably because I was so young and every time he was in my presence, I was panting! I remember [former head writer] Douglas Marland or [former executive producer] Bob Calhoun saying if every teenager in America reacted to Jon like I did, they would have something big in this pairing. I was always tongue-tied around Jon. |
TVG: World Turns has always relished casting west coast stars on their show. Is there a bit of rivalry between GH and World Turns?MB: I’ve been off
World Turns for so long that I don’t think my casting had anything to do with stealing anyone from anywhere. I was just an actress writing for
B&B, and the timing just worked out. I think I was right for this character, and doubt it had anything to do with politics or ratings. I’ve never worked for ABC before, so they didn’t really know who I am as a person or what my work ethic is. They just knew I was an actress who worked on
World Turns for most of her life.
GH’s agenda was to cast the right actress for this role, which tells me that they want to tell a very layered story. I hope this story and character works out.
TVG: Did GL’s cancellation hit your hard?
MB: It saddens me for the people who work on the show. I don’t know. I’m a person who sees the glass always half-full and that’s how I live my life. I’m not a defeatist, so I think there are still a lot of things that can be done to keep soaps alive for the fans. It’s sad because everyone on GL, from the cast to the crew, is so talented. And the fans are losing their favourite show. The analogy I like to use regarding GL is that a soap is like a Mustang: you work on the engine first before you put the paint on, you know? Having said that, I hope GL finds a new home.
TVG: A lot of fans want you to take over World Turns as executive producer and/or head writer. Would you ever consider that appointment?
MB: Absolutely. I’d prefer to be the soap’s executive producer than its head writer though.
TVG: What would Douglas Marland think of World Turns these days?
MB: Knowing Douglas as I did, I think he would say there is work to be done. For example, there are characters that need to move back to the front burner and he’d work from there. He’d definitely bring out his list of rules. Look — those rules are working out very well for The Young and the Restless. It’s not like those rules don’t work. But if I ever had the privilege to helm any soap, or even prime-time show for that matter, I’d pull out those rules immediately.
TVG: Speaking of Marland, how freaky was it that your second B&B script aired on his birthday?
MB: I know, right? [B&B writer] Patrick Mulcahey pointed that out to me. Listen, I don’t think there are any accidents or coincidences in this world of ours. I think Douglas would be very happy that I’m embarking on all these new adventures. I feel very blessed that Bradley Bell gave me a chance to write. It’s what you do with that kind of opportunity that makes you shine — or fail. I’m still ready to fail. Being a head writer and an executive producer is tough; it’s a bear. It’s such a difficult job, and the biggest responsibility you can have in this business. Writing humbles me.
TVG: Finally, what was the biggest lesson you learned this past year?
MB: That’s a good question. Take a chance on yourself. Don’t let fear paralyze you. Don’t not try something new because you’re scared. It’s important to move outside of your comfort zone. What’s the worst that can happen? So you don’t do it again, that’s all. Or learn to do it better and succeed in the process. Failing isn’t so bad as long as you learn. Be fearless — and walk the walk.
TVG: Spoken like a true winner.
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Nelson Branco is a Toronto freelance entertainment journalist, who regularly contributes to Hello! Canada, The National Post, The Los Angeles Times' theenvelope.com, TV Guide USA, tvguide.com, Inside Entertainment, OUT, and fab magazine, along with spearheading the soap coverage for TVGuide.ca's popular daytime TV hub. After graduating from Ryerson University in 1997, he moved from Toronto to New York in 1998 to take on the roles as senior news editor at Soap Opera Update. Branco first freelanced for Soap Opera Weekly as an intern in 1994, and after leaving Soap Update to help create and launch Bauer Publishing's In Touch Weekly in 2003, Branco continued to freelance occasionally for its sister publication, Soaps In Depth. Most recently, he helped create and launch Canada's first celebrity magazine, Weekly Scoop in 2005 as its news and entertainment director. Branco is also a contributor to a new TV show titled Planet Soap to air in Canada and America.
