Five Things That Happened On April 11 In Soap History

In 1985, Another World introduced Ellen Wheeler as Vicky, the twin of her original character, Marley. Wheeler would go on to win a Daytime Emmy in 1986 for her portrayal of the dual roles, and Vicky became a central character on the show through to its cancellation in 1999. After Wheeler exited the show in 1986, Vicky was played briefly by Rhonda Lewin, then for a longer stint by Anne Heche and an even longer stint by Jensen Buchanan. Wheeler returned to AW in 1998, playing only Marley.

In 1986, Lynn Herring made her General Hospital debut as Lucy Coe. Herring had previously tried out for two other significant daytime roles. In 2018, she told Soap Opera Digest, “I originally went in for the part of Felicia. That was the first time I ever came to General Hospital and I actually got pretty close. And I had also auditioned for the character of Kelly when Santa Barbara was starting. Isn’t that funny? Robin Wright ended up getting Kelly, of course, and Kristina [Wagner] got Felicia, and I remember thinking, ‘Okay, so they both have that long blonde hair, and I’m a brunette. Two long-haired blondes beat me out for these parts! Should I grow my hair out? Should I bleach it out at the beach? Come on!’ It’s so far-fetched and fun to think that it might have gone the other way, but of course, Kristina was just perfect for the part of Felicia, and I couldn’t be happier that I ended up getting to be Lucy!"

In 1995, Maura West made her daytime debut as Carly Tenney on As the World Turns. The actress had only recently graduated from Boston University, where she studied acting, when she landed the role. West became a key player on the show, winning two Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actress. Working at ATWT was also significant to the actress in her personal life; it is there that she met her husband, Scott DeFreitas, who played Andy Dixon. West remained with ATWT until it went off the air in 2010.

In 2013, Emme Rylan made her General Hospital debut as Lulu Spencer Falconeri. The actress, who succeeded Julie Marie Berman in the role, was coming off a stint as Abby Newman on Young and Restless and had previously played Lizzie Spaulding on Guiding Light, as well. Soap Opera Digest spoke to the actress in advance of her first day on the job about her jump from Y&R to GH, and she said, "When it was all said and done, I’m an actor who wants to play great characters and Lulu is too good to not try. It was a really hard decision but the artist in me couldn’t walk away from this. I’ve got to try and live in her world. It was so intriguing and that’s how I made my decision. I had to put all the political and personal stuff aside and follow my creative instincts. Abby was so much fun and I had a good time with her but Lulu has so many levels and places she can go. So, that’s what I went through, from the moment they asked me to do it and the moment I said yes."

In 2023 on General Hospital, Victor Cassadine — who had lured Spencer Cassadine (Nicholas Chavez) aboard The Haunted Star — gleefully informed Spencer that, along with Ace Cassadine (Spencer's infant half brother), they were departing Port Charles and never coming back. He then revealed that he had another captive on board, as well: Liesl Obrecht. Trina (Tabyana Ali), Spencer's beloved, who had crept onto the boat unseen, revealed her presence to him once he was alone. Spencer was understandably worried about Trina's safety and told her, "I can't stand to lose you, too." She assured him that she could hold her own, and they kissed tenderly.