Exciting changes have been taking place on B&B, particularly since the addition of two high profile actors -- Jack Wagner (Dominick Payne) and Lesley-Anne Down (Jackie Payne). Dominick "Nick" Payne has captured the imaginations of B&B fans and will undoubtedly be shaking things up between Bridget, Brooke and Ridge! The addition of this strapping and "rough around the edges" character will certainly change the dynamics between B&B's core characters. As for Jackie Payne, she will soon become a part of Eric Forrester's life after he finds out that Massimo is Ridge's biological father. The ramifications of Eric's discovery of the truth may mean that it will be a long time before we see Eric and Stephanie back together, and perhaps a new romance will blossom between Eric and Jackie.
Rather than feeling threatened by the addition of Wagner and Down to the B&B cast, John McCook is thrilled about the potential of having such fine actors as a part of the show. "What's exciting about it for me is that it's a story that Eric will be involved in, so I'm very excited about whatever it is." John exclaimed. "But I think it's great for our show to have these new flavors and how long have we been here? We've been here 16 years and so it's all about the Forresters and the Spectras and the Spectras and the Forresters and that's been great and it still is. But there's something very sensible about bringing in a new chemistry and a new sense of danger, romance and involvement. I think that there's a chemical change, absolutely. Every time one person comes in, let alone two with such power and talent, it's going to be fun."
John McCook's co-star Susan Flannery (Stephanie) is also delighted about B&B's new blood. "I know that Susan is very fired up about both of them coming on." John noted. "She has great respect for Lesley-Anne. Susan is nothing if not appreciative of other's people's accomplishments and talent. So, long ago Susan formed much more of an opinion about her as an actress than I have yet. So she's very welcome here and we're very excited to have her. And you know, she [Stephanie] and I [Eric] can sit by the fireplace and talk about how much our family means to us only so long. When we turn this page now, it's going to be a long time before Eric and Stephanie are back together, because this is deception." Watch out for explosive episodes airing in early May, when Eric's world comes crashing down and Stephanie is on the other end of his tirade.
SoapCity, 2003.