Three fan-favorite, former One Life to Live stars have signed on to join the growing cast list of the new web series Tainted Dreams. The series, which revolves around a soap-within-a-soap concept, is scheduled to begin shooting in and around New York City this month.
James DePaiva (ex-Max Holden) will play Eddy Parish, a cop married to a powerful network executive. DePaiva, who met his wife Kassie (Blair Cramer) on the set of One Life to Live, started out as a musician while still a teenager. His first foray into acting included a recurring role as a waiter on General Hospital, and he then appeared on One Life to Live as Max off and on for over 20 years, beginning in January 1987. Once he left the soap, DePaiva turned to directing both One Life to Live and episodes of As the World Turns. He also directed a feature film, Undone, in 2006, which featured many of his fellow soap stars, including his wife, Timothy Stickney, and Dan Gauthier.
Tonja Walker (Alex Olanov; ex-Olivia Jerome, General Hospital) will play Tina Scott, Eddy's domineering sister-in-law and an attorney. Walker, who was nominated for an Emmy several times during her many stints as Alex, is also an accomplished singer. She toured across the country, opening for various recording artists, and starred in a one-woman play. She also earned a Tony nomination as an associate producer for Enchanted April and produced Derby Stallion in 2005, which featured Zac Efron in his first leading role.
Ilene Kristen (ex-Roxy Balsom) will appear as Vivian Park, estranged mother to soap star Liza Park (played by GH Emmy winner Natalia Livingston). Kristen, also known for her Broadway work, appeared in Grease and is on the original cast recording of 1972. While appearing in independent films and on prime-time television, she has also performed her own original music at cabaret shows around New York City. Kristen appeared on OLTL on contract from 2001 to 2004, and on a recurring basis from 2004 to 2013. Kristen was nominated twice for an Outstanding Supporting Actress Daytime Emmy during her run as Roxy. She is also known for her work as Delia Ryan on Ryan's Hope.
The trio joins an all-star cast that includes Alicia Minshew, Terri Ivens, Walt Willey, Michael Lowry, (All My Children) Larkin Malloy (AMC and Edge of Night), Grant Aleksander (Guiding Light), Kelley Menighan Hensley, Marnie Schulenburg, Colleen Zenk (As The World Turns), Natalia Livingston (General Hospital), and Austin Peck (Days of our Lives), as well as Dina Manzo (Dina's Party and Real Housewives of New Jersey), Anthony Wilkinson (My Big Gay Italian Wedding and the new My Big Gay Italian Funeral), professional wrestler Lisa Marie Varon, and Mr. Pec-Tacular, Jessie Godderz (a wrestler who appeared on Big Brother).
For more information on Tainted Dreams, visit: tainteddreamstheseries.com.
