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Passions Spoilers: The History Of The Show
Passions made its debut on NBC on July 5, 1999, created by James E. Reilly, a writer known for his work on Days of our Lives.
This soap opera stood out for its intriguing blend of supernatural themes and classic soap opera drama, focusing on the lives of the residents in the fictional New England town of Harmony.
The show featured typical soap opera elements such as family feuds and forbidden love, but it was the supernatural aspects that truly distinguished Passions.
Characters like the witch Tabitha Lenox, (Juliet Mills), and her doll-turned-son Timmy Lenox, (Josh Ryan Evans), brought a whimsical touch to the series. Viewers were enchanted with their spells, curses, and bizarre happenings.
Passions Spoilers: The Show Was On For Nearly A Decade
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In spite of its distinctive narrative style, Passions faced challenges with viewership ratings; however, its loyal audience sustained its presence for nearly ten years.
The series concluded its run on NBC on September 7, 2007, yet it found a second life on DirecTV’s 101 Network, where it continued until its ultimate episode in August 2008.
In December 2007, DirecTV opted not to extend its contract for Passions, and the show could not secure a new home elsewhere. Nevertheless, Passions carved out a remarkable legacy as a soap opera that boldly embraced the unexpected.
Passions Spoilers: James Hyde Speaks Out
The first one interviewed was James Hyde, who played Passions’ Sam Bennett. Interviewer: What do you think about the idea of turning Passions into a movie? James: I think it would be fantastic, especially after all these years; the show had a unique style that was ahead of its time.
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Most of the original cast is still around, so we should act fast-it would be exciting to set it in the present while including flashbacks to the original four families.
We could mix in some supernatural and horror themes, exploring good versus evil. Sam and Ivy Winthrop (Kim Johnson Ulrich) would be a couple, and Grace Bennett (Dana Sparks) could return as her twin.
Passions Spoilers: James Continues
My kids would have kids, opening up so many storylines; there are countless directions to take, but we should aim to include as many original cast members as we can. Interviewer: What do you think about Sam’s current situation?
James: Sam is doing well and hasn’t retired yet. He is now the Mayor or Governor of Harmony and might have had another child with Ivy. Grace tries to use her powers to create tension between us.
Passions Spoilers: What Does He Remember Most?
Interviewer: Passions had some wild plots; what do you remember most from your time on the show? James: There were many memorable moments, but the one that stands out is when the Bennett’s house got pulled into hell and I had a portal to hell in my closet.
The disaster scenes were an absolute blast-we had some late nights, but the fun we had made it all worthwhile.
I cherished every moment with my cast members, and it brings a tinge of sadness when I think of the late Ben Masters, who was truly remarkable. It’s also hard to forget Lisa De Cazotte and Richard Schilling, who left us too soon, but discovering Ethan Winthrop, (Eric Martsolf), was my son was great too.
Passions Spoilers: Next Up-Eric Martsolf
Interviewer: What are your thoughts on a Passions movie reboot? Eric: While I would definitely be excited about a Passions film, I believe a series reboot would be more effective, allowing for multiple episodes to delve into the rich narratives.
There are so many stories to tell and vast themes to explore that one movie just wouldn’t do it justice-in today’s landscape of reboots, I think Passions could really shine. Interviewer: How do you envision Ethan’s life-Eric: I see Ethan finally finding happiness as a father to little Ethan and enjoying a blissful marriage with Theresa Lopez (Lindsay Hartley).
However, the return of Gwen Winthrop (Lisa Huber) could stir up some drama, reigniting that classic love triangle and adding complexity to the storyline.
Passions Spoilers: Eric Continues
Interviewer: You’ve stayed friends with some of your old co-stars, like Justin Hartley (Fox Crane); what kind of mischief do you think you two would get into?
Eric: We share a lot of memories and experiences since we played siblings on screen-I believe they could be quite the team now, in business continuing what Julian Crane (Ben Masters) began.
Interviewer: Passions had some really wild storylines; what kinds of things could they explore today that they didn’t during the original series?
Eric: Calling them “wild storylines” might be an understatement-the show’s darker and more passionate elements could definitely be pushed further, especially if it were on a streaming platform. I can easily picture a mix of Stranger Things vibes in a soap opera setting.
Passions Spoilers: What Does Eric Miss Most About “Passions”?
The interviewer wraps up by asking Eric what he longs for the most when thinking about the show. Eric replies: Besides my wonderful castmates, I genuinely miss those moments when we had the freedom to explore the supernatural elements of the series.
Nowadays, the soap opera world moves so quickly that our creative abilities can sometimes take a hit. “Passions” was the epitome of escapism in its truest sense; its playful campiness was a key part of its allure.
Passions Spoilers: Juliet Mills Puts In Her Two Cents
Next, Juliet Mills (Tabitha Lenox) is interviewed-Interviewer: How would you feel about a movie reboot of Passions? Juliet: I would be thrilled to see Passions transformed into a film, playing Tabitha Lenox was such a joy; she was an incredible character!
Interviewer: What do you think Tabitha would be doing at this point in her life-Juliet: Honestly, I have no clue what she’d be up to now—likely stirring up trouble!
Interviewer: Passions was famous for its wild storylines—what stands out to you from your time on the show? Juliet says, “One of the wildest storylines has to be the Titanic episode-I recall Tabby causing that chaos-I can picture myself in a deck chair, puffing on a cigar, and creating havoc!”
Passions Spoilers: Dana Sparks Speaks Out
Dana Sparks played two characters on Passions, Grace Bennett and her twin, Faith Standish-Interviewer: What are your thoughts on a movie adaptation of Passions?
Dana: Passions The Movie should be a grand spectacle, much like Barbie-as a daily soap, it had such imaginative and intricate storylines, all produced with remarkable speed.
With the added resources of a feature film budget, it would be an absolute blast to see on screen. She’s asked how she sees Grace’s life now-Dana: Grace became a well-known figure after faking her death in Europe, fleeing to Norway, creating a thriving line of eco-friendly, recyclable food containers.
Now, she enjoys a comfortable life in Harmony, serving as the Mayor of her quaint town, and she and Sam are officially recognized as married.
Passions Spoilers: What Does Dana Remember Most About The Show?
Interviewer: Passions had some wild storylines-what is the most memorable experience for you from your time on the show?
Dana: I always think of the prom boat disaster-it was reminiscent of both Titanic and Carrie, such an incredible moment; the team really put in the effort to create that scene. They even constructed a massive pool on one of the sets, and I can still picture Sam desperately swimming to locate his family.
Many of those moments featured the entire cast along with extras-Passions gained a reputation for its dramatic scenes, but it was also celebrated for its openness and inclusivity. Being part of a project that was so progressive for its time was truly a special opportunity.
Passions Spoilers: The Show’s Producer, Mary-Kelly Weir Is Interviewed
Interviewer: What are your thoughts on the idea of Passions being turned into a movie? Mary-Kelly: I truly believe Passions was well ahead of its time, and it ended far too early; it was one of the most creative soap operas I’ve ever been a part of.
The show was filled with magic and often had some dark twists—like when the Bennett house was literally pulled into Hell-yet, it also had a fantastic sense of humor.
With our main character, Tabitha Lennox, being a witch, the possibilities were endless! I think a movie reboot would be an amazing concept, and I would be thrilled to be involved.
Passions Spoilers: Mary-Kelly Continues
I’m sure the rest of the cast would be excited too-during the pandemic, I organized a Zoom reunion for Passions, and it turned out to be a huge hit.
It’s important to acknowledge that there were three key figures who truly embodied the essence of that show and won’t be part of any reboot.
Creator and Head Writer Jim Reilly, Executive Producer Lisa deCazotte, and Supervising Producer Richard Schilling; all three have passed away, and I know they would have been overjoyed.
Interviewer: What makes you believe that fans of these shows would want to see them return? Mary-Kelly: The answer is quite straightforward-viewers see these characters as cherished friends and family members, after years of following their favorite soaps, they would welcome a “family reunion” through a reboot.
Be sure to catch up on everything happening with Passions right now. Come back here often for Passions spoilers, news, and updates.